The season 34 premiere of “Dancing with the Stars” is finally here and we are bringing you all the action right here. But before we get into the opening number, the performances and the scores, there was one issue ahead of premiere night.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba had to bow out of the premiere episode due to illness. Read her unfortunate news in the below Instagram post.
Now let’s get into the new season of DWTS! Keep in mind this post is FULL OF SPOILERS, so if you don’t want to know about the episode, STOP READING NOW.
The Opening Number
Your favorite pros are back, along with some new ones and they kicked off the opening number inside the ballroom, donning black and silver dance outfits. Leading the number out the gate were real-life couple Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy.
The troupe dancers for the season were also revealed just before judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli danced their way into the ballroom with two of the pros. Soon, co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough joined the performance, dancing together at the center of the floor.
“Live from Hollywood, it’s the season premiere of ‘Dancing with the Stars!'”
At the top of the show, Ribeiro revealed that Inaba was sick at home and would not be joining them on the premiere. Shortly after, each of the contestants and their pro partners were announced.
Hough and Ribeiro then went on to talk about the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy, along with voting details. For how to vote this season, read here. And remember, there’s no elimination on night one, but your votes will carry over for when the first elimination goes down.
Jordan Chiles Went First
Jordan Chiles and her pro partner Ezra Sosa were the first couple to perform. Sosa says Chiles is “spicy and fierce.” Their performance was a salsa and ahead of taking the floor, Chiles said she was “ready for it.”
Chiles came out the gate with some incredible moves and a lot of acrobatic choreography. It was a great way to kick off the 20th season of DWTS.
Judge Derek Hough gushed over all of the “flips and tricks” in the routine, but warned her to be mindful moving forward. He also congratulated the couple on a great start. Derek also had to let the contestants know that scores will be on the lower side since it’s episode 1. Plus, they’re down a judge.
For Chiles’ first performance, she received two 5’s, equaling a 10.
Dylan Efron Was the Second Up
Dylan Efron opened up about his brother Zac Efron as well as conquering his own fear of dancing in front of so many people.
Efron kicked things off by dancing on top of the judges’ table before jumping off and onto the dance floor. His partner this season is Daniella Karagach. The two danced to “Milkshake” and Efron finished off the performance with a sweet smile of excitement and shyness.
Bruno Tonioli said that Efron’s “shaking of the butt was first class.” He then said Efron had very good moments but his timing was inconsistent. Derek said he was “pleasantly surprised” by the performance and said to be careful not to get overpowered by Karagach.
After Efron’s performance, Ribeiro introduced the four new troupe dancers, one of whom is pro Jenna Johnson’s relative.
Efron said he’s never danced before and he really wanted to shake things up. He said that he feels the adrenaline “in the best way possible.”
Efron, like Chiles, received two 5’s for a score of 10.
Elaine Hendrix Was a Professional Dancer
Hendrix was the third to take on the ballroom and in her video package ahead of her performance, she revealed she used to be a professional dancer until she was hit by a car. Hendrix who says she never did ballroom, said DWTS is a great experience and age is just a number when it comes to what someone can do.
For her first dance with pro partner Alan Bersten, Hendrix took on the Cha Cha and she did a terrific job, especially for her first performance of the season.
The judges loved her performance, though Tonioli warned her to watch her shoulders.
Hendrix got two 6’s for her score, which gave her a 12.
Mark Ballas Was Paired with Whitney Leavitt
Fan-favorite pro Mark Ballas returned and he’s paired with “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt. As usual, Ballas did not disappoint, and Leavitt moved like a pro herself.
The tango “stopped the room,” as host Ribeiro gushed.
Tonioli couldn’t wait to comment on the “incredible” performance, and he thanked Ballas for creating a “high-quality” tango.
Next up, Derek said he didn’t know what to say because the performance was so beautiful. The only critique he had was to make sure to keep the frame. He also went on to say that if fellow judge Inaba had been present tonight, she would have loved the performance.
Just before receiving their scores, fan-favorite alum Sasha Farber popped onto the screen in the skybox.
It was then revealed that Leavitt went to a rival dance school against pro Witney Carson back in the day.
And then, it was revealed that Leavitt got a big first night score, with a 7 from Derek and an 8 from Tonioli, giving Leavitt a score of 15.
NBA Star Baron Davis
Davis’ anthem was “You Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer and he danced the Cha Cha with pro partner Britt Stewart, who recently tied the knot.
Davis came out with rhythm and Tonioli smiled while watching the performance.
Derek said that it was a “great, great” first dance and that Davis has “so much potential.” Tonioli loved the performance as well, though he said he wished he saw more of actual Cha Cha moves.
Davis’ first scores were two 5’s from the judges, equaling a 10.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy Were a ‘Circus’
Influencer Earle was so excited to see beloved pro Chmerkovskiy was her partner because she’s a big fan of his. She danced growing up and hopes to make her “10-year-old self” proud.
The two took on Britney Spears’ song “Circus,” incorporating a ring of fire in their performance. Despite some of the hiccups shown in rehearsals, Earle appeared to do a good job for her first dance of the season.
Following the performance, Tonioli said Earle did “very, very well.” But, both Derek and Tonioli reminded her to be fluid and play off of her partner. Derek said Earle had an “impressive first dance” and that it was clean.
Derek gave Earle a “strong 7” and Tonioli gave her a 6, which totaled 13 for her first score.
Scott Hoying’s Pro Is Such a Fan
Rhylee Arnold has been paired with singer Scott Hoying and she was thrilled because she is a fan of his. For their first performance, the two danced to Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra.”
The pair took on a tango that was full of power and energy, with Hoying really appearing to enjoy himself.
Derek said that “for a week 1 dance,” it was amazing and Tonioli said he loved the song. He said he wanted “more tango in it” and he wanted it a little more “refined.” Tonioli felt the performance was a bit “messy.”
Up in the skybox, co-host Julianne Hough hung with the couple while they received two 5’s, for another 10.
‘Boy Meets World’ Hit the Ballroom
Danielle Fishel, who played Topanga on “Boy Meets World,” is fresh off of a cancer battle and is taking on “Dancing with the Stars.” Her anthem is “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson, so she has predicted an “emotional” performance.
Fishel, paired with Pasha Pashkov, looked pretty at home on the dance floor and handled some high kicks in the routine.
Fishel’s pal Lance Bass cheered her on from his seat following the performance. Some of Fishel’s “Boy Meets World” co-stars were also there to support.
Tonioli said the two exhibited “great partnering,” while Derek said he, along with America, had a big crush on Fishel while growing up. He also cautioned Fishel to watch her shoulders. Derek’s sister Julianne then joked with Fishel about her voters having crushes on her over the years.
Fishel went on to receive two 6’s, earning a score of 12.
New Pro Jan Ravnik Took the Floor with Jen Affleck
Jen Affleck was next up. She’s another cast member from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” and she got paired with new pro Ravnik, who was a backup dancer for Taylor Swift.
The two took on the Salsa together and kicked off the performance with several tricks, lifts and flips.
Derek welcomed Ravnik to the DWTS family and congratulated Affleck on having a baby a few months ago. He also cautioned Ravnik to not put so many tricks into a routine because it slows it down a little.
Affleck said she’s still recovering from giving birth but is “having so much fun.”
For her scores, Affleck received two 6’s, equaling 12 for the night.
Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson Took the Floor
Feldman has “been in the business for 50 years,” but has never ballroom danced. He also said that he’s been friends with DWTS host Ribeiro throughout the years.
Feldman said he has “a lot to learn,” but he took on the tango and gave it his all. He smiled and appeared also threw in some of his Michael Jackson-inspired dance moves that he loves. Ribeiro cheered for his “buddy.”
Tonioli appreciated Feldman’s “personal spin” and said the performance was “great,” but to work on the technique. Derek gushed over Feldman and called him a true Hollywood icon. Derek said it was a “great first dance,” though there’s “a lot to work on.”
Up in the skybox, Julianne called Feldman the “comeback king.” Meanwhile, Feldman said he was so grateful for the experience ahead of getting a 4 from Derek and a 5 from Tonioli. This gave Feldman a 9 for the night.
Lauren Jauregui & Brandon Armstrong Took on the Tango
Another tango for premiere night. Fifth Harmony performer Lauren Jauregui carried out a great first dance with Armstrong and Ribeiro called it “so good.” Mark Ballas screamed, “Yes,” from the skybox.
Derek called the performance “elegant” and urged Jauregui to “stick the landing.” He said her movements had “texture” and he loved it. Tonioli had further critiques about finishing a move “cleanly.”
Julianne called Jauregui “cool, calm, and collected” before getting into her scores.
Derek dished out a 7, while Tonioli gave her a 6, which made for a score of 13.
Comedian Andy Richter Was Paired with Emma Slater
Longtime pro Emma Slater is matched with comedian Andy Richter this season and the two took on the ballroom together.
Slater said Richter was giving so much “effort,” but the “fast footwork” may be an issue.
The two delivered a Cha Cha and Richter definitely put on a happy face. Richter brought the humor and Tonioli loved how “cheeky” Richter was, though Tonioli couldn’t ignore the lack of timing.
Tonioli then said it “could only get better” from here.
Derek gave Richter a 5, while Tonioli gave him a 4, which resulted in a score of 9.
Hilaria Baldwin Used to Be a Dancer
Baldwin actually used to be a dancer, but she broke her hip. She was paired with pro Gleb Savchenko and Alec Baldwin was shown supporting her at rehearsals.
Baldwin said she loves doing “physically challenging things,” so she was excited to take on the Cha Cha to “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez.
Baldwin’s moves were sharp and she did an amazing job, first performance or not.
Derek said that it made him very “happy” to see Hilaria and Tonioli gushed over her “precision” and her “sharpness.”
For her score, Hilaria ended up with a 14 out of 20.
Robert Irwin Rounded Out the Night
Former DWTS champion Bindi Irwin’s brother Robert has joined the show with longtime pro Witney Carson.
Irwin and Carson took on the challenging, fast-paced Jive for their first dance and Irwin was fantastic. The two embraced his love of wildlife for the performance and the fans loved it. So did the judges.
Sister Bindi cheered from her seat and Robert couldn’t help but run to his sister for a big hug.
Derek called the dance the “best first dance” he’s ever seen on the show and Robert ended up with a 15 out of 20, tying with Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt.
Next week will feature a double elimination and the theme will be “One Hit Wonders.”
