A new season of “Dancing with the Stars” is back in the ballroom! With an explosive two-day premiere and shocking double elimination, this new group of celebrities is hitting the dance floor with some unforgettable performances.
Male and female celebrities were split into two groups, with the men performing on Tuesday, Sept. 15 and the women dancing the following night. Celebrity contestants danced to a No.1 song from the year they were born.
The men set the bar high for night one! Actor and dancer Harry Shum Jr. and partner Jenna Johnson earned the night’s highest score of 21/30 with a cha cha to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind and Fire. Shum Jr is best known for his roles in “Glee” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”
The lowest score of night one went to celebrity comedian Guillermo Rodriguez and his partner Witney Carson, with a score of 10/30 for their cha cha to “Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight. The dance ended with the 55 year-old rolling on the ground.
Although he didn’t earn the night’s lowest score, Conner Leavitt’s salsa to “Whoomp! There it is” by Tag Team ultimately saw him and partner Adele Zaikman eliminated. Judges scored the pair 12/30. Leavitt is known for his time as a reality star on the “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” alongside his wife, Whitney Leavitt, who was a contestant on last season of “Dancing with the Stars,” placing 6th.Â
This was Zaikman’s first season as a pro after winning “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro,” the elimination cutting her season extremely short.
The other male contestants are Jackson Olson, a second baseman for the Savannah Bananas baseball team and influencer; two-time Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech; comedian and influencer Connor Wood; Bachelorette alum Tyler Cameron; and musician Taylor Hanson.Â
Following the men, the female celebrities raised the competition’s stakes! Night two came with even more twists and turns.
Reality star Maura Higgins and her partner, Mark Ballas, earned the night’s highest score, a 21/30 for their foxtrot to “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles. Higgins is best known for her time on “Love Island UK” and “The Traitors.”Â
The couple receiving the lowest score was actress Tatyana Ali and her partner Jan Ravnik. They received a 12/30 for their jive to “Knock on Wood” by Amii Steweart. Ali is best known for her role as Ashley on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”Â
Similarly to the men, the couple eliminated did not see the night’s lowest score from the judges. Reality star Sarah Jane Nader and partner Hailey Bills were sent home for their jive to “Sk8er Boy” by Avril Lavigne. The dance earned them a 12/30. Nader is known for her family’s reality show, “Love Thy Nader.”
Nader and Bills are the show’s second-ever female pairing, after Jojo Siwa danced with Bills’ aunt Jenna Johnson in Season 30. Previously performing with the show’s troupe, this is Bills’ first season as a pro, which, like Zaikman, ended shockingly early.
The other female contestants in Season 35 are actress Jenna Dewan, reality star Ciara Miller, actress Julia Stiles, Olympic gold medalist figure skater Amber Glenn and chef and TV personality Giada De Laurentiis.Â
Eliminations are decided by a 50/50 split of viewers’ votes and judges’ scores. Carrie Anna Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough are back as this season’s panel of judges. Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are returning as hosts.Â
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 airs on Tuesdays, live on Disney+ and various cable channels.Â