“Dancing with the Stars” returned on Tuesday night with the Season 34 premiere, kicking off a brand-new season of competition and star-studded performances. Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, the ballroom was filled with excitement as 14 celebrities made their debut alongside their pro partners.
The premiere delivered plenty of memorable moments, from inspiring comebacks to lighthearted mishaps — including a scoring error and a routine that one judge called the “best first dance I’ve ever seen on the show.” Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was also notably absent due to falling ill shortly before air time.
‘Dancing with the Stars’ Season 34: A Strong Start & a Scoring Mix-Up
Among the night’s highlights, Robert Irwin, dancing with Witney Carson, wowed the judges with his energetic routine to “Born to Be Wild.” Derek Hough praised the performance, saying, “The best first dance I’ve ever seen on the show!” Bruno Tonioli agreed, commending their timing and chemistry. Irwin tied Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas for the top score of the evening with 15 out of 20.
Leavitt also had a standout debut. Dancing with Ballas, the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star impressed the judges with her tango, though the night wasn’t without drama. Bruno initially entered the wrong score, giving her a 7 instead of an 8, before the mistake was corrected on air — boosting her score to 15.
Other strong performances came from Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui, who earned 13 points for her tango, and influencer Alix Earle, who scored the same for her sharp and precise cha-cha.
‘DWTS’ Inspiring Journeys & Fan Favorites
The ballroom was also filled with personal stories that moved both the judges and the audience. Danielle Fishel, best known as Topanga from “Boy Meets World,” called her “DWTS” run part of her “year of yes” after surviving cancer. She earned 12 points for her tango with Pasha Pashkov.
Hilaria Baldwin, paired with Gleb Savchenko, returned to dance years after breaking her hip. Her cha-cha to “Let’s Get Loud” earned 14 points, and she described the moment as “a dream come true.”
Comedian Andy Richter leaned into humor with his cha-cha, joking about “peacocking” on the dance floor. Though his technique needed refining, Derek Hough praised his “joy” and “authenticity.” He finished the night with 9 points.
Other notable debuts included Dylan Efron, who surprised the judges with his fluidity despite nerves, and Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, who earned praise for his enthusiasm and determination.
‘Dancing with the Stars’ Premiere Ends With No Eliminations
At the close of the night, Ribeiro and Hough reminded viewers that no couples would be eliminated in the premiere. Instead, next week’s episode will feature a double elimination. The hosts also revealed that this season’s debut received double the votes compared to last year’s opener — a sign that Season 34 is already connecting with fans.
From emotional journeys to standout scores, the premiere showed just how much potential this cast has. With big performances already on the board, the competition is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet.
