Reality television personality Ciara Miller is discovering that intensive dance training produces unexpected results. The Summer House cast member revealed she has added weight during her preparation for Dancing With the Stars season 35, contrasting sharply with the typical contestant experience.
The 30-year-old made the revelation during an appearance on Live From E!: Countdown to the 2026 Emmys on Monday, September 14. When former 'NSync member Lance Bass, 47, mentioned he shed 20 pounds during his 2008 appearance on the competition show's seventh season, Miller disclosed her journey has taken a different trajectory.
"I've gained weight," Miller stated during the broadcast.
The Bravo personality will make her competitive debut on Wednesday, September 16, during night two of the season premiere. Partnered with professional dancer Brandon Armstrong, Miller will perform to Whitney Houston's "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" for their opening routine.
Miller described the physical demands of preparation as more intense than anything she has experienced in recent years. She expressed concern for her physical wellbeing while acknowledging the rigorous nature of rehearsals, noting the training regimen surpasses any workout routine she has maintained since her high school years.
"I pray for my ankles every single day," Miller told Us Weekly. "But I'm definitely getting my butt kicked a little. Like, I haven't worked out this much since high school."
Despite the physical challenges, Miller expressed ambitious goals for the competition. She stated her determination to advance to the finals, revealing she has already conceptualized numerous performance ideas and costume designs for potential future routines.
The reality star's participation in Dancing With the Stars represents an opportunity to reshape public perception. Since joining Summer House in 2021, Miller has been labeled one of the show's "bed bugs" due to her frequent on-camera appearances relaxing in bed. She previously acknowledged that viewers have characterized her as lazy over the years, referencing her self-described strong attachment to sleep and rest.
Miller views the dance competition as a platform to challenge those perceptions. She told Us Weekly the show provides an ideal setting to demonstrate whether the lazy characterization holds merit, emphasizing her appreciation for challenging situations.
The dancer's appearance on Dancing With the Stars comes amid significant personal and professional transitions. Miller's Summer House experience last season involved controversy surrounding castmates Amanda Batula, 35, and West Wilson, 31. Batula, previously a close friend of Miller's, revealed a secret relationship with Wilson, who had maintained an on-and-off romance with Miller since joining the show in 2024.
When discussing how the situation affected her personal growth, Miller told Us Weekly she continues to evolve following the spring revelation. The upcoming 11th season of Summer House will feature Miller without Batula and Wilson, who departed the series after facing viewer backlash.
Miller acknowledged the ongoing process of navigating these changes while teasing future Summer House content. She told Us Weekly the cast is working through the new dynamic, admitting she does not possess all solutions to the evolving situation.
Dancing With the Stars season 35 premieres on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesday, September 15, at 8 p.m. ET. The two-night premiere event continues on Wednesday, September 16, when Miller and Armstrong will take the floor for their first competitive performance.
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Ava Hart
Ava Hart is a pop culture junkie and loves to share what's happening in Hollywood and what trends are taking the world by storm.
