Viewers saw Whitney Leavitt make her “Dancing with the Stars” Season 34 debut tonight alongside professional Mark Ballas. Whitney and Mark will perform a Tango to “Golden” by HUNTR/X, EJAE, AUDREY NUNA, REI AMI & the KPop Demon Hunters cast.
Leavitt’s Journey to the Ballroom
Leavitt grew up dancing in Utah and has carried that love for movement throughout her life. She has balanced motherhood with a growing social media presence, becoming especially popular on TikTok, where she shares both personal moments and creative dance clips. Whitney described her casting on “Dancing with the Stars” as a “full-circle moment,” reflecting on how she first fell in love with performing as a child and how she now gets to return to that passion on one of television’s biggest stages.
The Tango demands discipline, strength, and a commanding presence. For Leavitt, this routine marks not only her technical introduction to the competition but also a symbolic first step in honoring her younger self and showing her children what pursuing dreams looks like in real time. With veteran pro Ballas guiding her, she enters the ballroom with support, experience, and the chance to surprise audiences.
Competing With a Familiar Face
Adding intrigue to Leavitt’s debut is the fact that she is not the only cast member from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” competing this season. Her costar, Jen Affleck, also joins the “Dancing with the Stars” lineup, creating a rare scenario in which reality show castmates find themselves squaring off in a completely different type of competition.
The overlap could spark a friendly rivalry and extra interest from fans of their series, who will now watch both women navigate the ballroom’s pressures and excitement. Their shared background as reality stars and mothers may draw comparisons, but it will also highlight how unique their individual journeys are. For Whitney, competing alongside Taylor is another reminder that this opportunity is about both personal growth and the joy of sharing the stage—even in a competitive setting—with someone who understands where she comes from.
Performance & Judges Score
Since Carrie Ann Inaba sits out of the premiere due to illness, Whitney receives feedback from Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli after her performance of “Golden.”
She receives the high score of fifteen and solidifies the first place spot for the DWTS Season Premiere. Fans are looking forward to her next performance on next week’s episode.
