Rylee Arnold and Stephen Nedoroscik Take PEOPLE Behind-the-Scenes of theDancing with the StarsTour (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Rylee Arnold and Stephen Nedoroscik onstage during ‘Dancing with the Stars Live’.Photo:Amy Ryerson

Amy Ryerson

Dancing with the Stars:Live!is officially back — andRylee ArnoldandStephen Nedoroscikare bringing PEOPLE along with them as they kick off this year’s shows.

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Friends for Life

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold behind the scenes of ‘Dancing with the Stars Live’.Amy Ryerson

Nedoroscik and Arnold are more than just dance partners — they’re bonded for life.

“Looking back on our first rehearsals, when I was timid, to now ending the show with a perfect score, it is unbelievable what you have taught me,” he wrote of Arnold. “Thank you for not only being the best dance partner, but also an indispensable friend 🫶🏻. "

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Backstage Antics

Stephen Nedoroscik and Ezra Sosa behind the scenes of ‘Dancing with the Stars Live’.Amy Ryerson

Ezra Sosamight be one of Arnold’s best friends, but that’s not stopping Nedoroscik from forming a tight bond with the dancer, too.

“Sharing the floor with these incredible dancers is an absolute dream come true, and I know you’re going to fall in love with this show as much as we have,” he wrote in anInstagrampost.

03of 09Warming UpCo-host Stephen Nedoroscik warms up before ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy RyersonAs one of the tour’s co-hosts, Nedoroscik has some extra responsibility on his shoulders — but it’s nothing he’s not prepared for.When he was announced as the cohost, he wrote onInstagramthat he was “beyond honored” to fill the position — and, of course, he was thrilled that the “dancing doesn’t stop.”

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Warming Up

Co-host Stephen Nedoroscik warms up before ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy Ryerson

As one of the tour’s co-hosts, Nedoroscik has some extra responsibility on his shoulders — but it’s nothing he’s not prepared for.

When he was announced as the cohost, he wrote onInstagramthat he was “beyond honored” to fill the position — and, of course, he was thrilled that the “dancing doesn’t stop.”

04of 09Finishing TouchesRylee Arnold gets ready to go onstage for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy RyersonArnold has a special routine when it comes to doing her stage makeup for tour. In a DecemberTikTok, she revealed she’d done a major Sephora haul and purchased all new products to bring with her on tour — a continuation of a tradition she started ahead of last year’s tour.“Last year, I did the same thing, I got completely new makeup products for tour and it was just fun because I had fresh, new makeup and I also got some fun things to try that I’ve never tried before,” she said in the video. “And it made it really fun doing my makeup every night.”

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Finishing Touches

Rylee Arnold gets ready to go onstage for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy Ryerson

Arnold has a special routine when it comes to doing her stage makeup for tour. In a DecemberTikTok, she revealed she’d done a major Sephora haul and purchased all new products to bring with her on tour — a continuation of a tradition she started ahead of last year’s tour.

“Last year, I did the same thing, I got completely new makeup products for tour and it was just fun because I had fresh, new makeup and I also got some fun things to try that I’ve never tried before,” she said in the video. “And it made it really fun doing my makeup every night.”

05of 09Nerves, Who?Stephen Nedoroscik in his dressing room before going onstage for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy RyersonIf there’s one thing “Pommel Horse Guy” is used to, it’s the nerves before a big performance, but after 11 weeks onDWTSthis fall, he’s got this in the bag — despitethe challenges his two eye conditions can pose.“Towards the end of training these dances, I didn’t miss [Arnold’s] hand at all because I knew where it was going to be, and I had the confidence to go and reach for it,” he told PEOPLE of overcoming his nerves over the course of the season.

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Nerves, Who?

Stephen Nedoroscik in his dressing room before going onstage for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy Ryerson

If there’s one thing “Pommel Horse Guy” is used to, it’s the nerves before a big performance, but after 11 weeks onDWTSthis fall, he’s got this in the bag — despitethe challenges his two eye conditions can pose.

“Towards the end of training these dances, I didn’t miss [Arnold’s] hand at all because I knew where it was going to be, and I had the confidence to go and reach for it,” he told PEOPLE of overcoming his nerves over the course of the season.

06of 09From Competitors to FamilyThe cast of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live: Emma Slater, Gleb Savchenko, Pasha Pashkov, Brandon Armstrong, Daniella Karagach,Stephen Nedoroscik, Britt Stewart, Alan Bersten, Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa.Amy Ryerson"Family” is always the word that comes up the most over the course of aDWTSseason, but on tour, the cast truly bonds even further — and somereal-life couples, like Karagach and Pashkov, who have been married since 2014 andshare daughter Nikitaand are on tour together this year.

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From Competitors to Family

The cast of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live: Emma Slater, Gleb Savchenko, Pasha Pashkov, Brandon Armstrong, Daniella Karagach,Stephen Nedoroscik, Britt Stewart, Alan Bersten, Rylee Arnold and Ezra Sosa.Amy Ryerson

“Family” is always the word that comes up the most over the course of aDWTSseason, but on tour, the cast truly bonds even further — and somereal-life couples, like Karagach and Pashkov, who have been married since 2014 andshare daughter Nikitaand are on tour together this year.

07of 09Let’s Do This!Stephen Nedoroscik before going onstage for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy RyersonIt’s almost showtime and Nedoroscik’s shimmering gold ensemble helps him stand out amongst the other DWTS cast members, both as the co-host and as the only celebrity special guest performing.

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Let’s Do This!

Stephen Nedoroscik before going onstage for ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy Ryerson

It’s almost showtime and Nedoroscik’s shimmering gold ensemble helps him stand out amongst the other DWTS cast members, both as the co-host and as the only celebrity special guest performing.

08of 09His Nickname Is Pommel Horse Guy for a Reason!Stephen Nedoroscik on the pommel horse onstage at ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy RyersonThere was no way Nedoroscik couldnotbring his pommel horse with him on the road, and of course, treat fans around the country to a live rendition of the event thatearned him a bronze medal in Paris at the Summer 2024 Olympics.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

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His Nickname Is Pommel Horse Guy for a Reason!

Stephen Nedoroscik on the pommel horse onstage at ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy Ryerson

There was no way Nedoroscik couldnotbring his pommel horse with him on the road, and of course, treat fans around the country to a live rendition of the event thatearned him a bronze medal in Paris at the Summer 2024 Olympics.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

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The Best Feeling in the World

Rylee Arnold and Stephen Nedoroscik perform during ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Live.Amy Ryerson

source: people.com