Only 14 celebrity contestants remain on “Dancing With the Stars” season 35 after a shocking double elimination during the series’ two-night premiere. Week 2 airs tonight, Tuesday, September 22, with the theme “Viral Hits Night.” For a full list of theme nights leading up to the finale, fans can click here.
The celeb contestants and their pro partners are ready to take on some of today’s biggest viral hit songs on tonight’s episode, with several couples already teasing fans on social media about what they can expect when they hit the ballroom floor.
Viewers will want to remember that voting takes place during the live episode and closes shortly after the final performance. Fans can cast their votes both online and via text, with the judges’ scores and viewers’ votes combined to determine which couple will be eliminated tonight.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD: THIS LIVE POST WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE EPISODE, SO DO NOT KEEP READING IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO READ SPOILERS.
September 22 Live Recap: Week 2
Viewers will see all 14 contestants and their pro partners take the ballroom floor tonight. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite celeb while the live show is airing! One couple will be eliminated at the end of the episode.
Before each celeb contestant receives feedback from the judges, host Alfonso Ribeiro shared that the last judge to comment must do so with one word.
Here’s who is taking the floor first:
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Song: “Animal” by KATSEYE
Type of Dance: Jive
Feedback: Bruno shared that Dewan “did not miss a beat” and Carrie Ann believed the actress was “utilizing her partner,” while Derek shared that in one word-ish it was “fast, fierce and fantastic.”
Carrie: 7
Derek: 7
Bruno: 7
Final Score: 21/30
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
Song: “No Broke Boys” by Disco Lines & Tinashe
Type of Dance: Tango
Feedback: Carrie Ann shared that she was “proud” of Miller and telling the other contestants to “watch out.” Derek added that he saw consistency in Miller but told her to watch her frame. In one word, Bruno called it “beautiful.”
Carrie: 6
Derek: 6
Bruno: 6
Final Score: 18/30
Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
Song: “Girls” by The Kid LAROI.
Type of Dance: Salsa
Feedback: Derek felt that the dance felt more like a “cabaret” than a salsa. Bruno felt the same; there wasn’t enough salsa. Carrie Ann shared in one word: “agreed.”
Carrie: 6
Derek: 5
Bruno: 5
Final Score: 16/30
Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
Song: “The Door” by Teddy Swims
Type of Dance: Tango
Feedback: Bruno noticed that Stiles made some missteps in her routine, but enjoyed the performance nonetheless. Carrie Ann agreed, sharing that she “appreciated” that the actress went for it. Derek called it a “good performance.”
Carrie: 5
Derek: 6
Bruno: 5
Final Score: 16/30
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
Song: “That’s So True” by Gracie Abrams
Type of Dance: Foxtrot
Feedback: Carrie Ann shared that she saw “improvement” since Week 1, calling it more “relaxed” and “solid.” Derek was “really impressed” by Olson’s frame. Bruno’s one word: “charmed.”
Carrie: 6
Derek: 6
Bruno: 6
Final Score: 18/30
Giada de Laurentiis & Alan Bersten
Song: “Bella Ciao” by Becky G
Type of Dance: Salsa
Feedback: Derek noticed the missteps and wanted more “power” out of the celeb chef. Bruno shared that she gave the audience “salsa without spice.” Carrie Ann’s one word: “shaky.”
Carrie: 4
Derek: 4
Bruno: 4
Final Score: 12/30
Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
Song: “12 to 12” by Sombr
Type of Dance: Tango
Feedback: Bruno noticed a lot of mistakes by Wood, but said there were good moments. Carrie Ann agreed, but believed the choreography was “fantastic.”
Carrie: 5
Derek: 5
Bruno: 5
Final Score: 15/30
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagrach
Song: “Low” by Flo Rida
Type of Dance: Cha cha
Feedback: Carrie Ann “loved” the performance; Derek shared he was “absolutely blown away” and called it “impressive.” Bruno’s one word: “fabulous.”
Carrie: 7
Derek: 7
Bruno: 7
Final Score: 21/30 (Tied for 1st place on the leaderboard).
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
Song: “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish
Type of Dance: Foxtrot
Feedback: Derek called it “breathtaking” and “ethereal,” Bruno said that it was “gentle” and had a “nice flow.” Carrie Ann called it “touching.”
Carrie: 6
Derek: 6
Bruno: 6
Final Score: 18/30
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
Song: “All the Things She Said” by Harrison
Type of Dance: Tango
Feedback: Bruno said it was “the best tango of the night.” Carrie Ann called it “phenomenal” and “wanted more.”
Carrie: 7
Derek: 7
Bruno: 7
Final Score: 21/30 (Tied at the leaderboard!)
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
Song: “Where Have You Been” by Rihanna
Type of Dance: Paso Doble
Feedback: Carrie Ann appreciated how Rodriguez took on the dance. Derek loved the “intensity” and “commitment.”
Carrie: 4
Derek: 4
Bruno: 4
Final Score: 12/30
Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart
Song: “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE
Type of Dance: Cha cha
Feedback: Derek wanted Hanson to focus on his arm work, Bruno liked seeing the singer going into a “dirty dancing” mode, and enjoyed the performance.
Carrie: 5
Derek: 5
Bruno: 5
Final Score: 15/30
Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson
Song: “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls
Type of Dance: Viennese waltz
Feedback: Bruno called the dance “difficult,” and overall it “wasn’t bad.” Carrie Ann said that it was “out of balance.” Derek’s one word was “beautiful.”
Carrie: 6
Derek: 6
Bruno: 6
Final Score: 18/30
Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
Song: “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire
Type of Dance: Cha cha
Feedback: Carrie Ann told Higgins not to put “so much pressure on herself.” She called the performance “clean”; Derek said she was “elegant” but called her Cha cha “back-weighted.” Bruno’s one word: “Bravo.”
Carrie: 6
Derek: 6
Bruno: 7
Final Score: 19/20
Top scores: Jenna Dewan, Amber Glen, Ezra Frech, all with 21/30
Lowest scores: Giada de Laurentiis, Guillermo Rodriguez, both with 12/30
Who Went Home on Week 2 of DWTS?
ABCAfter the combined scores of the judges and fans’ votes, the celebrity contestant and pro partner going home in Week 2 are Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten.
Next week it’s Yacht Rock night!
