“Dancing with the Stars” launches Season 34 tonight with a new lineup of celebrity contestants ready to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The premiere will showcase fresh partnerships, returning hosts, and a slightly altered judging panel. Viewers will tune in with one central question driving the night: does the first episode include an elimination, or will every pair survive to dance another week?
Is There an Elimination Tonight?
Tonight, “Dancing with the Stars” will premiere Season 34 with fourteen new celebrity contestants. After their first performances, the show will open up voting to the viewers. However, the show will not eliminate anyone during the premiere episode.
Contestants will perform and be judged (though with one judge absent—see below), and the audience will have the opportunity to vote, but no one will be sent home this evening. The results from audience votes will carry forward into later episodes when the elimination rounds begin.
Cast, Judging & Format Details
Season 34 of “Dancing with the Stars” introduces a fresh group of fourteen celebrity contestants competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Among them are well-known names such as Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Hilaria Baldwin, Corey Feldman, Lauren Jauregui, Andy Richter, Robert Irwin, Danielle Fishel, and others.
ABC/DisneyThe judging panel will consist of Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli for tonight’s premiere. Carrie Ann Inaba, a longtime judge, will miss the premiere due to illness and will cheer the contestants from home; the show has not appointed a replacement judge for this episode.
ABC/DisneyThe hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough will return to lead the show through the season. The show will air live on ABC at 8:00 p.m. Eastern / Pacific Time and also stream on Disney+; episodes will also appear on Hulu the following day.
Why No Elimination in the Premiere?
“Dancing with the Stars” frequently uses the premiere episode to showcase all contestants with their first dances, allow audiences to become familiar with each pair, and set the stage for the competition. Eliminations typically begin in subsequent episodes after both judges’ scores and audience votes accumulate.
This format gives all newcomers a fair opportunity to perform without the immediate pressure of elimination. By starting without elimination tonight, the show aims to build viewer engagement and allow fans to assess the performances before voting makes a critical impact.
Fan Reaction
Tonight “Dancing with the Stars” kicks off Season 34 with full performances from all 14 new celebrity contestants, voting by the audience, but no elimination will occur. Fans are pleased to enjoy the first week and start to the season without having to say goodbye to a couple immediately.
The judging panel will be slightly reduced (two judges instead of three) due to Carrie Ann Inaba’s absence, but the show will otherwise proceed as usual. Eliminations will begin in later episodes, once viewers’ votes combine with judges’ scores.
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