Alden Richards is back as the host of Stars On The Floor 2026, the second season of GMA-7's reality dance competition.
The first season aired from June to October 2025.
At a press junket held on January 15, 2026 at GMA Network Studio, Alden revealed that the newest batch of contestants will be a mix of celebrity dancers and P-pop idols.
When PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked if SB19 and BINI will be part of the lineup, Alden said that the contestants will be revealed on the day the show will air next month.
"We're very excited. Of course, with SB19 spearheading the P-pop groups here in the Philippines, marami silang na-inspire na mga kabataan na grupo to start forming groups and showcasing their talents," Alden began.
"Ang galing lang din ng concept kasi akala ko noon parang iniisip ko noon, season one, after kaya Digital Dance Stars, ano pa kayang sector yung pwede na puwedeng i-showcase dito sa Stars on the Floor?"
"Kasi technically naman lahat kasi nasa social media. But with a whole P-pop concept, ibang way din to showcase these stars."
Alden is thrilled that the art of dancing will be showcased as well as the growing industry of P-pop idols here in the country.
Elaborating: "Na siyempre hindi naman din lahat ng mga manonood natin on TV nagkakaroon ng chance maka-magscroll on social media and to see all of these talents that we have at the moment.
"But with this since may papalabas na sa TV, mapapakita natin sa kanila na lumalaki yung dance community dito sa Pilipinas, at hindi lang siya naka-confine sa television and with all the groups that we've known in the past.
"Kasi every day of our lives may nabubuong grupo, may mga bagong tayong pwedeng maka-collaborate."
Alden went on to explain that the competition will be in pairs just like the last season of Stars On The Floor.
"During season one, nag-start naman sila as nagra-round robin yung pairs to see the chemistry yung mga magkaka-collab sa sayaw.
"Para makita yung potential, what works, what doesn't work. And this show is all about discovery din kasi as they go along with different partners, they discover different skills and things na nagagawa nila together."
But this time, there's a twist in the dance competitions.
The Kapuso actor-host explained: "So after after such time, we are also gonna be incorporating na bago dun sa final showcase, puwedeng mang-agaw ng partners.
"So each dance star has a chance to choose kung sino yung gusto nila makaka-partner depende sa ranking nila sa leaderboard, because we don't have any eliminations in Stars on the Floor."
Alden expects this part of the show to be intense and exciting for the contestants and the viewers.
Smiling, he continued: "So medyo yun yung incorporation ng drama natin dito kasi siyempre nakasanayan na nila yung tandem nila, and then eventually magkakaroon ng kailangan nilang magpalit and pumili ng ibang makaka-partner until the day of the final Dance Showdown."
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RAYVER CRUZ
Rayver Cruz is the newest addition to the roster of judges for Stars On The Show.
Known for being a dance floor expert, Rayver is looking forward to seeing spectacular performances among the contestants.
"Well siyempre may mga ine-expect na ako kasi follower naman ako ng Season 1 kasi may manok ako dun," he grinned.
He was referring to his elder brother Rodjun Cruz, who won Stars On The Floor Season together with his duo partner Dasuri Choi.
Rayver continued: "Pero etong ngayong Season 2, excited ako... Yung mga binabato sa atin sa variety show, kaya natin sayawin yun. Pero dito, lahat ng style, lahat ng genre, iba-iba for them.
"So wala yung masasabi mo na, 'Ito kasi yung strength ko, e.' Pero once na lumampas na sa iyo yung strength mo na yun, paano mo i-e-execute at gagawin mo pa rin siyang strength mo, kahit alam mo sa sarili mo na di mo pa alam yung klase ng sayaw na ito?
"Dun magki-kick in yung extra effort as a dancer. Yung passion, extra effort. Kumbaga, sabi nga ni Coach Jay, disiplina."
As the resident host of singing reality competition The Clash, Rayver is looking forward to experience being a judge this time around.
"Iyon nga, e. Nakakatuwa talaga dahil sa GMA ang dami kong nasisimulan, at lahat first time kong ginawa.
"Malaki ang pasasalamat ko kasi lahat ng opportunities na ganun sila yung nagbibigay."
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COACH JAY
Coach Jay is the the choreographer of P-pop King SB19 who's known for the group's vocal prowess as well as their sharp, synchronized, and powerful dance performances on stage.
And with P-pop idols joining Stars On The Floor, Coach Jay tells PEP what he will look for among the contestants.
"Ngayon mas makaka-focus ako kung paano ba sila sumayaw na walang microphone. Kasi iba din yung sing and dance kayo. So di mo puwedeng i-pullout ng 100% yung pagsasayaw mo kasi kumakanta ka rin.
"So ngayon, mas makakapag-focus sila sa part na yun, yung pagsasayaw. And then mas mae-explore nila yung dance dito."
Coach Jay hopes whatever the P-pop stars learn from Stars On The Floor can also help the P-pop idols with their training for their dance performances long after the show ends.
"And then mas magandang experience kase siya na kung masasabi mo na marerespeto mo yung dancing talaga.
"Kasi parang masaya na panoorin, pero kailangan din kasi siya ng disiplina. Kailangan siya ng commitment kung meron ka talagang gustong maabot.
"So, ako malapit din ako sa P-pop kasi doon din talaga ako nagkaroon opportunity sa SB19.
"And then, gusto ko lang makakita ng more pa sa mga kung sino man yung napili."
