It’s been the year of the 33’s, and after an epic 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics, it’s time for Dancing with the Stars to join the party with its 33rd season! The show’s latest season has been buzzing thanks to Olympic stars like Stephen Nedoroscik and Ilona Maher shaking things up on the dance floor. And now, DWTS is gearing up for a massive milestone—its 500th episode! Not too shabby for a show that’s been gracing our screens since 2004, huh?

Stephen’s partner, Rylee Arnold, who’s been on the DWTS grind for a while now, shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram on November 12th to celebrate the big moment. She gushed over being part of this legendary episode and had nothing but love for Stephen, who she’s watched grow since day one—despite his own hilarious confession of being a “cowardly or scared dancer” in a YouTube video with Josh Scherer.

Rylee wrote, “It’s the 500th episode on @dancingwiththestars tonight!!! Been watching this show since I was a little girl, so it is so surreal being apart of this episode tonight! Truly fulfilling one of my biggest dreams 🥹❤️‍🔥 STEPHEN!!! I’m so proud of you and how hard you have worked on this dance! You continue to impress and inspire me every day, and I love teaching you dance!!! We got this tonight; it’s going to be a fun one 🫶🏼✨🪩.”

It’s clear these two are totally vibing, both on and off the dance floor. Their chemistry is undeniable, and fans can’t get enough of their energetic performances. Plus, they’ve become good friends outside the show—just recently, they went on a double date to the Wicked premiere with their partners. So yeah, it looks like DWTS isn’t just about the competition—it’s also about forming some pretty special bonds along the way.

Rylee Arnold also uploaded an Instagram story while doing her make-up in preparation for the episode. In that story, she expressed her delight with performing on such a special occasion as Dancing with the Stars. She also told fans that they should not miss this episode, as it is going to be special.

“There’s such a good opening number with special guests. All the dances are truly so amazing and iconic, and we obviously have the instant dance round, which is going to be a trip. You guys are going to be really entertained for sure,” she said. Thus, this episode has all the ingredients to be up there with the best of the season. Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold realize that and are thus leaving no stone unturned in their preparation. This made them seek the presence of a dance legend in their rehearsals.

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold recruited special help to help with their routine

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold wanted to prepare for the 500th episode to the best of their abilities. This is why they called in Mark Ballas for help in their rehearsals. Rylee revealed this during an interview with Entertainment Tonight, where she said that Mark is helping Stephen with his technique.

She said, “We had Mark Ballas come in, and it was really, really beneficial, and I’m just so excited for this one.” Mark is a DWTS legend, as he has won the competition on three occasions, in seasons 6, 8, and 31. This is why his stint at the show from 2007 to 2022 is regarded as one of the most successful ones from a choreographer. Thus, his presence in the rehearsals is definitely going to help the gymnasts considering the style they’re going for.

Tonight, Stephen and Rylee are taking on the Viennese Waltz, a dance known for its elegance and timing—two things Mark Ballas has mastered over the years. And let’s be real, who better than Mark to help Stephen out, especially with his ongoing struggle to nail the timing? The judges have mentioned it a few times, so Mark’s advice could be a game-changer for the duo.

With Mark’s expertise, Stephen and Rylee’s partnership is looking even stronger, and it’s clear he’s proving to be a key addition to their team. Fingers crossed their hard work in rehearsals translates into a flawless performance on the stage tonight. If anyone can make it happen, it’s this crew!