Rylee Arnold is a 21-year-old American professional ballroom dancer, choreographer, and television personality best known for competing on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). Born on June 5, 2005, in Provo, Utah, she has become one of the show’s most recognizable young professionals. Following in the footsteps of her older sister, former DWTS champion Lindsay Arnold, Rylee has built a successful television career while gaining millions of social media followers. In 2026, she returned for Season 35 alongside comedian and podcaster Connor Wood, continuing her rise in competitive ballroom dancing.
Who Is Rylee Arnold?
Rylee Arnold is an American Latin and ballroom dancer who gained national recognition through the Dancing with the Stars franchise.
She first appeared on the junior version of the competition before joining the main series as a professional dancer in 2023.
Her energetic performances, expressive choreography, and strong connection with celebrity partners quickly made her popular with viewers.
Rylee represents a younger generation of professional dancers who combine traditional ballroom techniques with modern entertainment and social media.
Despite beginning her television career at a young age, she has already competed alongside several well-known personalities.
Age and Birthday
Rylee Arnold was born on June 5, 2005, making her 21 years old as of November 2026.
She grew up in Provo, Utah, where dancing became an important part of her childhood.
Her early exposure to competitive ballroom dancing helped her develop technical skills before entering television competitions.
Rylee became particularly notable for joining the main Dancing with the Stars professional lineup while still a teenager.
Her age attracted attention because she was competing professionally alongside dancers with considerably more television experience.
Family Background
Rylee comes from a family with strong connections to ballroom dancing.
Her parents are Josh and Mindy Arnold, and she is the youngest of four daughters.
Her older sisters are Lindsay, Jensen, and Brynley Arnold.
Lindsay Arnold is especially familiar to Dancing with the Stars audiences, having competed as a professional dancer and won Season 25 with actor and singer Jordan Fisher.
Growing up around her sisters helped Rylee develop an interest in performing.
Lindsay’s success also provided an example of what could be achieved through professional ballroom dancing.
However, Rylee has gradually established her own television identity rather than relying solely on her family’s reputation.
Early Dance Career
Rylee began developing her ballroom skills during childhood, participating in training and competitive events.
She became familiar with Latin dance styles, including cha-cha, samba, rumba, and jive.
These disciplines require precision, musical timing, stamina, and the ability to perform confidently with a partner.
Her competitive background helped prepare her for the demanding choreography associated with televised dance competitions.
As she gained experience, Rylee developed a performance style combining athletic movement with expressive storytelling.
Those qualities eventually helped her secure opportunities within the Dancing with the Stars franchise.
DWTS Juniors
Rylee Arnold made her television breakthrough in 2018 on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors.
She partnered with actor Miles Brown, known for his role in the television series Black-ish.
Her older sister Lindsay served as their mentor during the competition.
Rylee and Miles impressed viewers with their performances and chemistry throughout the season.
The pair ultimately finished as runners-up, establishing Rylee as a promising young ballroom performer.
Although she did not win the competition, the experience introduced her to a national television audience.
It also gave her valuable experience working with celebrity contestants.
Season 32 Debut
In 2023, Rylee joined Dancing with the Stars Season 32 as a professional dancer.
She was paired with Australian reality television personality Harry Jowsey, who had previously appeared on Too Hot to Handle.
Their partnership attracted substantial attention online.
Fans frequently discussed their chemistry, performances, and behind-the-scenes interactions.
Although Harry had limited ballroom experience, the pair developed a strong following throughout the competition.
They eventually finished in sixth place.
The season helped Rylee become a recognizable personality beyond the dance community.
Season 33 Breakthrough
Rylee returned for Season 33 in 2024, partnering with American Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik.
Stephen had gained international attention for his pommel horse performances at the Paris Olympics.
Their partnership combined his gymnastics background with Rylee’s ballroom expertise.
Throughout the season, they demonstrated noticeable improvement and delivered several memorable performances.
Their contemporary freestyle routine, performed to Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida,” received particular praise.
The pair reached the finale and finished in fourth place.
This achievement made Rylee the first professional dancer born in the 21st century to reach the show’s finale.
It represented a major milestone in her developing television career.
Season 34
During Dancing with the Stars Season 34 in 2025, Rylee partnered with Scott Hoying, a singer and founding member of the a cappella group Pentatonix.
Scott brought extensive musical experience to the competition.
Their performances combined his understanding of rhythm with Rylee’s ballroom choreography.
Despite their efforts, the pair finished in 10th place.
Although they did not advance to the final stages, the season added another celebrity partnership to Rylee’s professional experience.
It also demonstrated her ability to adapt choreography for contestants with different performance backgrounds.
Season 35
Rylee Arnold returned for Dancing with the Stars Season 35 in 2026, partnering with comedian and podcaster Connor Wood.
Connor, also known online as Fibula, brought a distinctive personality to the ballroom.
Their partnership attracted attention because of their energetic performances and interactions during rehearsals.
One notable routine featured an intense contemporary dance inspired by horror movies.
The performance received strong praise and earned a near-perfect score.
The duo also performed a Disney Night waltz inspired by Tangled, showcasing a different side of their partnership.
Their performances have helped maintain Rylee’s popularity among viewers.
As of November 3, 2026, the season was still ongoing, and their final placement had not been established.
Type 1 Diabetes
Beyond dancing, Rylee Arnold has spoken publicly about living with Type 1 diabetes, which she was diagnosed with at age 15.
The condition requires ongoing monitoring of blood glucose and insulin management.
For a professional dancer, maintaining glucose levels during physically demanding rehearsals and performances can present additional challenges.
Rylee has discussed using diabetes management technology, including an insulin pump.
She has also shared aspects of her experiences through social media.
Her openness has helped increase awareness of the condition among younger audiences.
Rather than allowing the diagnosis to define her career, Rylee has continued competing at a professional level while managing her health.
Social Media Fame
Rylee has developed a substantial digital following alongside her television career.
Her official Instagram account, @ryleearnold1, has attracted more than 1.6 million followers, while her TikTok presence has surpassed 2 million followers, according to reported figures.
She regularly shares dance rehearsals, television highlights, personal updates, and lifestyle content.
Her online popularity has helped introduce ballroom dancing to audiences who may not regularly watch traditional dance competitions.
Behind-the-scenes videos also allow fans to see the preparation required for professional performances.
Her ability to connect with viewers online has become an important part of her public profile.
Latest Update
As of November 2026, Rylee Arnold remains an active professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars.
Her partnership with Connor Wood during Season 35 has attracted attention through creative routines and strong performances.
She continues to balance television appearances, choreography, social media activity, and her advocacy surrounding Type 1 diabetes.
Her professional journey has already included a junior competition final, multiple main-series partnerships, and a historic appearance in the Season 33 finale.
At 21, she has established herself as a prominent young personality within American ballroom entertainment.
Final Word
Rylee Arnold has built a successful career as a professional dancer, television personality, and social media influencer.
From finishing second on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors to reaching the main show’s finale with Stephen Nedoroscik, her achievements reflect years of training and competitive experience.
Her continued participation in Season 35 alongside Connor Wood marks another chapter in her television career.
With a growing audience, professional dancing experience, and an influential public platform, Rylee Arnold remains one of the most recognizable young performers associated with Dancing with the Stars.
