Rylee Arnold Reveals ‘DWTS’ Advice from Older Sister Lindsay Arnold (Exclusive)

Rylee Arnold has gotten some insider Dancing With The Stars tips from her older sister Lindsay!

Speaking to PEOPLE at the Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Post-Cast Reveal red carpet on Sept. 3, the 20-year-old pro dancer reveals the biggest pointer Lindsay — 10-time DWTS competitor and a one-time winner — has given her about competing on the show.

“The best piece of advice that I’ve ever received from Lindsay, and honestly, the best piece of advice I’ve ever been given, is to always just remain true to yourself,” says Rylee. “Always just be yourself, authentically you, because if people don’t like you for you, then you’re not where you need to be.” 

Continues the performer: “Just be yourself and that’s going to be where you’re going to be the happiest version of yourself, so always just emulate that and be that.”

“That’s tea,” emphasizes Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, who was revealed to be Lindsay’s dance partner on Good Morning America earlier in the day.

“It got me through everything,” continues the dancer of her sister’s advice. “I love her.”

The forthcoming season of DWTS marks Rylee’s third as a pro on the show after she made her television debut on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors in 2018.

Last season, she was paired with Stephen Nedoroscik — the American gymnast who captured hearts and minds for his pommel horse work at the 2024 Olympics — and came in fourth place.

Speaking to PEOPLE about her partnering with the Pentatonix singer this season, Rylee says it’s “so surreal and so amazing.”

“When he first walked through the door, I was just starstruck because I knew exactly who Scott was and I’m just such a big fan of him,” says Rylee. “I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. Wait, he’s my partner this season?’ ”

Chatting on the red carpet, Hoying returns the compliments: “Rylee’s the perfect partner and I’m obsessed with her already,” he tells PEOPLE. “She’s such a superstar. She just has so much star power. Well, first, I screamed when I walked in.”

As for whether his experience performing as a singer on the big stage will translate to ballroom dancing, Hoying says, “I’m not sure yet. We’ll see at the live show, but it is a totally different world. But I actually do think singing sometimes is more nerve-wracking because I’m a professional singer, so you have to be good. But I feel like with dancing, it’s like, this is new and free.”

“I think I’m going to be nervous on the live show day,” continues Hoying. “Whenever I watch the show and they have the eliminations and stuff and they’re calling one team at a time, I’m sick to my stomach.”

“No pressure,” jokes Rylee.

Earlier this summer, Rylee opened up about a frightening moment she had while flying on TikTok, revealing that she had forgotten to pack her insulin — which she uses to manage her Type 1 diabetes — in her travel bag.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“Then when I looked in my bag I couldn’t find it ANYWHERE! I’m now just realizing I left it at my apartment 😭,” wrote the dancer in text over a video of her on the plane.

But she assuaged her fans’ fears with a follow-up video after she landed, saying that she was “alive and well” and was able to get insulin right after she landed.