Ciara Miller's DWTS Debut: Recovery Essentials and Surprising Weight Gain
Published · Updated
Cited: NBC News, Yahoo, People.com
TL;DR
Ciara Miller, known for her role on Bravo's *Summer House*, is making her highly anticipated debut on *Dancing with the Stars* Season 35. Partnered with pro Brandon Armstrong, she’s navigating grueling rehearsals, surprising fans by revealing she’s actually gained weight due to bulking up. Alongside the tough training, Ciara has shared her go-to recovery essentials—from Bala Bangles to a retro foot spa—that keep her going through long days and live shows.
Why now
Ciara Miller, known for her role on Bravo's *Summer House*, is making her highly anticipated debut on *Dancing with the Stars* Season 35. Partnered with pro Brandon Armstrong, she’s navigating grueling rehearsals, surprising fans by revealing she’s actually gained weight due to bulking up. Alongside the tough training, Ciara has shared her go-to recovery essentials—from Bala Bangles to a retro foot spa—that keep her going through long days and live shows.
Agree / conflict
Ciara Miller is the first *Summer House* cast member to compete on *DWTS*.,She revealed to Lance Bass that she’s gained weight during rehearsals because she’s bulking up muscle.,Her must-have products include Bala Bangles, Dr. Teal’s Epsom salt, a Currentbody red light therapy mask, a Homedics foot spa, Solely fruit jerky, and Nexxus hair spray.,Ciara uses Bala Bangles to train her arms to stay in frame during ballroom dancing.,She soaks in Epsom salt baths almost daily and uses a foot spa to recover from dancing in heels.,Her favorite snack is Solely fruit jerky, which she says helps spike her blood sugar before or during rehearsal.,The two-night Season 35 premiere airs on September 15 and 16, 2026, on ABC and Disney+.
Takeaway
If you're taking on an intense physical challenge (dance, sport, or fitness program), invest in recovery tools like Epsom salt baths, foot spas, and massage tools to prevent injury.,Weight gain during training isn't necessarily negative—it can indicate muscle growth. Focus on how you feel and your performance rather than the scale.,Snack smart: portable, natural sugar sources like fruit jerky can provide quick energy without weighing you down before a workout.,Use accessories like wrist/ankle weights during practice to build muscle memory for specific movements (e.g., keeping arms lifted in dance frame).,Take time for skincare and relaxation, like red light therapy, to wind down and recover both physically and mentally.
Ciara Miller is the first *Summer House* cast member to compete on *DWTS*.,She revealed to Lance Bass that she’s gained weight during rehearsals because she’s bulking up muscle.,Her must-have products include Bala Bangles, Dr. Teal’s Epsom salt, a Currentbody red light therapy mask, a Homedics foot spa, Solely fruit jerky, and Nexxus hair spray.,Ciara uses Bala Bangles to train her arms to stay in frame during ballroom dancing.,She soaks in Epsom salt baths almost daily and uses a foot spa to recover from dancing in heels.,Her favorite snack is Solely fruit jerky, which she says helps spike her blood sugar before or during rehearsal.,The two-night Season 35 premiere airs on September 15 and 16, 2026, on ABC and Disney+.
Ciara Miller’s journey on *Dancing with the Stars* comes with intense physical demands. She trains for hours each day, often in heels, and has prioritized recovery to prevent injury and manage soreness. Her product lineup reflects a comprehensive approach to self-care: Bala Bangles help with muscle memory for arm placement, Dr. Teal’s Epsom salt soothes her back and neck, and the Currentbody red light mask aids relaxation and skin health. The Homedics foot spa, which she calls one of her best purchases of 2026, addresses the strain of dancing in new heels.
Her weight gain revelation surprised many, as past contestants often lose weight. Ciara explained she’s been bulking up muscle, noting that rehearsals have been the most intense workout since high school. This highlights how *DWTS* builds lean muscle and endurance, which can cause the scale to go up even while body fat decreases. The trend of contestants gaining muscle is not uncommon—for example, many athletes see similar changes when starting a new dance discipline. Ciara’s honesty offers a realistic look at the physical transformation that occurs during the show.
Fellow *Summer House* cast member Carl Radke has publicly supported her, stating he’ll “manifest” a win for her on social media. The combination of rigorous training, recovery routines, and community support sets Ciara up for a strong run this season.
Do you think Ciara Miller’s muscle gain will help her dance more powerfully, or could it affect her mobility on the floor? Share this article with fellow *Summer House* and *DWTS* fans who are excited for the new season! *Share on [Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Ciara+Miller%27s+DWTS+debut+and+her+surprising+weight+gain+%7C+via+%40yanuki&url=https%3A%2F%2Fyanuki.com%2Fentertainment%2Freality-tv%2Fciara-miller-dwts-debut-recovery-essentials-and-surprising-weight-gain&ref=yanuki.com){:target="_blank"} | [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyanuki.com%2Fentertainment%2Freality-tv%2Fciara-miller-dwts-debut-recovery-essentials-and-surprising-weight-gain&ref=yanuki.com){:target="_blank"} | [Reddit](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyanuki.com%2Fentertainment%2Freality-tv%2Fciara-miller-dwts-debut-recovery-essentials-and-surprising-weight-gain&title=Ciara+Miller%27s+DWTS+Deut%3A+Recovery+Essentials+and+Surprising+Weight+Gain%7C+via+%40yanuki){:target="_blank"}*
Sources: - [NBC News: Ciara Miller’s DWTS essentials](https://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/ciara-miller-favorite-products-rcna597967?ref=yanuki.com){:target="_blank"} - [Yahoo: I Was Very Surprised To Find Out One DWTS Contestant Has Actually GAINED Weight Rehearsing](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/very-surprised-one-dwts-contestant-173951469.html?ref=yanuki.com){:target="_blank"} - [People: Carl Radke Says He Will ‘Manifest’ a DWTS Win for Summer House Castmate Ciara Miller](https://people.com/carl-radke-says-he-will-manifest-dwts-win-for-ciara-miller-exclusive-12116241?ref=yanuki.com){:target="_blank"}
FAQ
Why did Ciara Miller gain weight during DWTS rehearsals?
Ciara revealed she has been bulking up muscle due to the intense training, which is different from the typical weight loss many contestants experience. She described the rehearsals as the hardest workout since high school.
What are Ciara Miller's top recovery products for DWTS?
Her essentials include Bala Bangles for arm training, Dr. Teal’s Epsom salt for baths, a Currentbody red light therapy mask, a Homedics foot spa, Solely fruit jerky for energy, and Nexxus texture spray for hairstyles that last through long days.
Who is Ciara Miller's dancing partner on DWTS Season 35?
She is partnered with Brandon Armstrong, a multi-season pro on Dancing with the Stars.
When does Dancing with the Stars Season 35 premiere?
The two-night premiere airs on Tuesday, September 15, and Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+.
Is Ciara Miller the first Summer House star on DWTS?
Yes, she is the first cast member from Bravo’s Summer House to compete on Dancing with the Stars.
Sources
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