How Whitney Leavitt Helped Prepare Husband Conner Leavitt for DWTS

Taylor Frankie Paul Speaks Out in Fiery Message After Whitney Leavitt Unfollows HerWhitney Leavitt and Conner Leavitt are keeping DWTS in the family. Just one year after the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives alum competed on Dancing With the Stars, her husband is officially lacing up his ballroom shoes for season 35, and he detailed some words from the wiser. “Honestly, she said this to me so many times, ‘This experience goes by fast. In the blink of an eye it’s going to be over,’” Conner told E! News in an exclusive interview alongside pro partner Adele Zaikman following the cast unveiling. “‘Be present. Have fun. Build relationships with the people around you. You’re just going to learn so much so just soaking it all in.’” But while Whitney made it to the semi-finals alongside her pro partner Mark Ballas last year, her husband isn’t counting on besting her legacy. “Listen, if I go further than Whitney, she will never live it down,” he explained. “I will be like, ‘Check it.’” Of course, the 32-year-old—dad to Sedona, 6, Liam, 4 and Billy Gene, 22 months with the Chicago alum—knows his chances are slim. “Whitney is a phenomenal dancer,” Conner mused. “She loved her season. She had so much fun. So much she took away from it. I do feel like there’s a little bit of pressure though. There’s big shoes to fill.” But that’s also why she wants her husband to make this season his own. “I told her, ‘Can I show you the routine?’” Conner recalled. “And she said, ‘No, I don’t want to see it. I want to be surprised week one. I just want to go in, eyes wide open. Fresh start. I just want to be there as a spectator.’” Rest assured, the Just In Time actress isn’t leaving the aspiring magician high and dry, either. Disney/Andrew Eccles“She’s given me plenty of tips,” Conner emphasized. “She’s helped me out with a lot of awesome pointers and it’s just wonderful to have Whitney by my side.” And mostly, the reality star is looking forward to putting on yet another show for the couple’s three young kids. “They were so excited,” he revealed of their reaction to his casting. “Especially my daughter. She was like, ‘Oh my gosh, we get to see more Dancing With the Stars.’” As he put it, “She loves dance so she’s so excited to see me go out there.” Indeed, no matter the outcome, Conner is just hoping he makes MomTok—and DadTok—proud. “I feel pressure to represent the cast of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a whole,” he said. “They had so many people they could’ve chose from and they chose me and I feel so honored about that.” And if America doesn’t vote in his favor? “We’re just hoping we can make a solid run here,” Conner noted. “Make everyone proud at home and I’ll be back to supporting Whitney.” For everyone competing on Dancing With the Stars season 35, keep reading...Disney/Andrew EcclesJulia Stiles & Ezra SosaYou won't hate this news—the 10 Things I Hate About You star will be saving the last dance for her pro partner.Disney/Andrew EcclesGiada De Laurentiis & Alan BerstenCha-cha-chopping away... 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The actor taking his musical talents to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesTaylor Hanson & Britt StewartThe former '90s teen heartthrob will hope to MMMBop his way to the top of the leaderboard on season 35.Disney/Andrew EcclesTatyana Ali & Jan RavnikThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress will be bringing her fresh moves to the dance floor.Disney/Andrew EcclesJenna Dewan & Val ChmerkovskiyTwenty years after starring in Step Up, the dancer is stepping up to the challenge.Disney/Andrew EcclesAmber Glenn & Pasha PashkovThe 2026 Olympic figure skater will take her skills from the ice to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesEzra Frech & Daniella KaragachThe Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete will show off his athleticism on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesSarah Jane Nader & Hailey BillsAfter sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33, the Love Thy Nader star is trying her hand. Disney/Andrew EcclesConnor Wood & Rylee ArnoldThe comedian, also known as Fibula on social media, is ready to earn more applause on DWTS.Disney/Andrew EcclesConner Leavitt & Adele ZaikmanThe Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star is following in the footsteps of wife Whitney Leavitt—who competed on season 34.Disney/Andrew EcclesTyler Cameron & Sharna BurgessThe Bachelor Nation star is trading in roses for rumbas.Disney/Andrew EcclesJackson Olson & Emma SlaterThe Savannah Bananas baseball player is stepping up to the plate, bringing his dance moves from the diamond to the ballroom.Disney/Andrew EcclesGuillermo Rodriguez & Witney CarsonThe Jimmy Kimmel Live! star is ready to learn some new moves.Disney/Andrew EcclesCiara Miller & Brandon ArmstrongThe Summer House star is prepping for her turn in the ballrom. "Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Ciara exclusively told E! News in June. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."Disney/Andrew EcclesMaura Higgins & Mark BallasThe Love Island UK alum is hoping her love for DWTS doesn't betray her as she manifested this experience. "I have a vision board and I redo it every year," she told E! News in May. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App