Taylor Hanson Opens Up About His ‘DWTS’ Experience: ‘It’s Very Personal’

Getting Taylor Hanson to smile should be easy. The Hanson frontman has spent nearly three decades projecting an easygoing, upbeat presence. Yet, in a spacious rehearsal room with weathered wooden floors, an exposed ceiling, and smudgy mirrors stretching along one wall, he is focused on his inaugural dance for the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, just two days away. His partner, six-time DWTS competitor Britt Stewart, offers quiet guidance, adjusting his posture with precise, subtle cues that instantly refine his movements.

They rehearsed the quickstep several times without music, the only sound being the squeak of their shoes on the floor. When they cue Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It,” they move as one, blending playful and dramatic choreography. Hanson chose the track to represent 1983—the year he was born—and Stewart designed the entire routine. As the music ends, both are breathless and glistening with sweat, but the duo, affectionately dubbed “Brittay,” clearly revel in their performance.

Hanson’s previous encounters with DWTS include a fifteen‑year‑old appearance, when the band performed “MMMBop” during the “Guilty Pleasures” episode of Season 12, followed by “Give a Little” the next night. In the previous season, he brought his daughter, Penny, to a taping, prompting talk of a future contest. However, none of those experiences prepared him for the demanding physical rigors of ballroom dancing.

“It truly is an art form,” he remarks, slipping off his brown suede boots for black practice shoes with a modest heel. He sports navy trousers, a scarf threaded through the belt loops and knotted neatly, and a navy‑and‑white polka‑dot scarf draped around his neck. He embodies “Tay‑lorrre,” a persona Stewart created for him and shared with fans on social media.

“It’s incredibly challenging,” he adds. “It pushes you physically, mentally, and emotionally as you learn something entirely new. It’s far outside my comfort zone. While I have extensive stage experience, I lack formal dance training. I may have steered clear of dancing because I want to be recognized as a musician and artist—standing behind the piano or guitar. Yet this style transports me to Old Hollywood; I’m instantly reminded of Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, with their elegance and romance.”

In its 35th season, DWTS continues to evolve while preserving its distinctive blend of spectacle, competition, and camp that appeals to multiple generations. The series attracts high‑profile musical guests—Stevie Nicks, Adele, and the Go‑Go’s—each delivering memorable performances. Hanson notes that the show remains one of the rare programs that unites families around the television set.

Yet, appearing as a contestant marks new territory for him. While the group as a whole appeared on The Masked Singer in 2021, Hanson is solo on DWTS, leaving him more exposed as a performer. Nonetheless, his primary interest lies not in the rivalry but in the overall experience.

“What you discover almost immediately is how personal the process becomes,” he reflects about DWTS. “You meet someone, work out your chemistry, and build trust. It’s similar to the way we approach songwriting—‘Hey, nice to meet you. Let’s write a song,’ which I’ve done countless times. There’s a parallel in stripping away barriers. We must become partners because we move as one, and that dynamic is truly fascinating to me.”

“I believe that’s a key reason viewers are drawn to the series: watching diverse individuals break down walls and craft a new art form together.”

Hanson, age 43, acknowledges that he wouldn’t have pursued DWTS competition in his twenties. Over the past ten years, he’s cultivated a fitness routine that incorporates sculling and surfing. Earlier this year, he began training with a coach a few times weekly, “just to have someone else shout at me and say, ‘How many sit‑ups did you do?’”

“Challenge serves as a powerful motivator for Hanson. “I’m eager to grow,” he says. “I’m navigating a period where the band is stepping back, making space for other projects. I’m exploring work as a solo artist—a significant shift for me to even be in that mindset.” He smiles, “Having [DWTS] right now, with its entirely different demands, is very cathartic for me.”

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