Exclusive: Rylee Arnold 'Hopes to Inspire Everyone to Never Stop Chasing After Your Dreams': 'Setbacks Bring New Perspective'

After being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 16 years old, Rylee Arnold never thought she would be able to become a professional dancer — let alone be on Dancing With the Stars.

"I hope to inspire everyone to never stop chasing after your dreams," the 19-year-old exclusively tells Morning Honey while talking about her partnership with Almay. "Setbacks often times bring new perspective, and it only made me want to work harder to accomplish my goal. I hope to inspire everyone to always lead with positivity and kindness and to not let anything stop you from achieving your dreams."

Arnold, who was inspired to follow her sister Lindsay Arnold's footsteps and join DWTS, has specific advice for others who want to go into the dancing world. "Embrace every opportunity, you never know where it might take you or who it might introduce you to! Don't be afraid to fail or make mistakes — that's where growth happens. Surround yourself with supportive people who inspire you. Be patient with yourself; progress takes time, and it's OK to go through highs and lows. Most importantly, remember why you started — passion and love for the art will keep you going through tough moments. Keep pushing yourself, but also take time to enjoy the journey!" she shares.

These days, the blonde beauty is living her best life as she is currently a pro-dancer on Season 33 of Dancing With the Stars.

"It’s been so incredible! I’m truly so lucky to have a role model like Lindsay who constantly inspires me to pave my own path. Transparently, it can be hard to be compared to your sister, but she has been so incredible throughout my journey of getting here and always reminding me to leave my own mark. She told me to always stay true to myself and to never lose what’s really important to me. I hold onto that daily!" Rylee says while gushing over Lindsay, who stepped away from the ABC series to take care of her two daughters, Sage and June.

This time around, Rylee is loving being partnered with gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik. "He is the HARDEST worker! He puts in so much effort and cares so deeply about our dance each week. It’s so fulfilling and rewarding to be with someone like him. Every day is the best day with Stephen because of his positive outlook on life and dedication to everything he does!" she gushes, adding that the pair are "hoping" to win the Mirrorball Trophy. "We’re just so proud of how far we have come and grateful to all of our fans who vote for us each week to keep the dream alive!"

Ultimately, Rylee loves being a part of DWTS as the cast and crew feel like family. "They bring such passion and positivity to the show," she notes. "The connection with fans is also amazing; it’s humbling to see how they engage with the performances and how much they care. Every week, you feel that excitement and love from them, and it really fuels you to give your best. There’s something magical about sharing that experience with so many people — it’s truly unforgettable. It’s also been my dream to be on this show after watching my sister for so many years and being able to achieve it and be living in my dream is better than I could ever imagine. I will never stop being thankful or grateful for the opportunity the show gave me and continues to give me each year!"

As for what the future holds, Rylee hopes to still be on DWTS, "bringing new energy to the stage and growing with every performance and hopefully have a few Mirrorball Trophies by then!" she exclaims. "I’d love to expand into acting — maybe landing a few TV shows or movies, where I can challenge myself in a whole new way. I also dream of writing a book, sharing my story of Type 1 and inspiring others how to overcome obstacles. Another big goal is to use my platform to advocate for diabetes awareness and support, making a real difference in the community. I want to keep evolving and pursuing everything I’m passionate about!"

Since Rylee, who is dating Walker Lyons, wants to look and feel her best while being on TV, it made perfect sense for her to partner with Almay. "This partnership was a perfect fit for me! I’ve always prioritized using makeup that feels gentle on my skin but still gives me the confidence and coverage I need, whether I’m performing, running errands, or hanging with my friends. Almay's commitment to hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested formulas really works for me, and I love that I can rely on their products to take care of my skin while still delivering amazing results," she shares.

She continues: "I love that Almay’s products are both effective and gentle – which is so important for me. My skin has had its fair share of ups and downs, so I’ve become very mindful of what I use. Almay’s formulas work perfectly for my sensitive skin because they're lightweight and non-irritating, allowing me to feel my best without any worry of harsh reactions."

Rylee loves to wear Almay whether she's filming or just hanging out at home.

"I love the Skin Perfecting Hydrating Tint – it gives my skin a radiant finish without feeling heavy. On days when I need a little extra coverage, the Clear Complexion Makeup is my pick for balancing and calming my skin. For lips, I’m always reaching for Color & Care Lip Gloss, of course!" she says of her go-to products. "And when it’s time to take everything off, Almay’s makeup removers are the best. The Moisturizing Makeup Remover & Cleanser dissolves even long-wear makeup while keeping my skin smooth and hydrated, and the Biodegradable Oil Free Micellar Eye Makeup Remover Pads are gentle on my eyes and remove every bit of makeup without any residue!"

Of course, Rylee's looks vary when she's filming.

"When I’m off stage, I go for a light, fresh look that highlights my natural features. I start with Almay’s Skin Perfecting Hydrating Tint, which is amazing for creating an even, healthy base that’s lightweight and dewy. For any blemishes, I add a touch of Clear Complexion Concealer – it has salicylic acid and gives me just enough coverage while keeping my skin calm and clear. Then, to add a hint of color to my cheeks, I use the Healthy Hue Blush in ‘So Peachy,’ which gives me that perfect, rosy glow. And I finish with a swipe of Color & Care Lip Gloss in the shade ‘Glitters Gold’ – it’s really moisturizing and adds just the right amount of shine for a fresh, everyday look," she notes.

She adds: "For Dancing With the Stars, I need my makeup to really stand out and stay put on stage! I’ll add more drama, using the Almay Intense i-Color Shadow Palette to make my blue eyes pop. The All-Day Intense Gel Eyeliner is also incredible for bold definition and lasts throughout my routines without smudging!"