After the record-breaking 34th season of Dancing with the Stars, anticipation for this upcoming season has been very high. After watching the two-part season premiere, I can testify that this season looks to be one of the most memorable to date.
Dancing with the Stars looks very different now than it did when I was watching it at a young age with my mom. However, Dancing with the Stars may be a way to prove to television companies that bingeing a show is not always the most effective way to release.
Standouts
I am so excited to see how this season plays out, because while my roommate and I watched the dancing, we kept saying, “They have so much potential.” The show itself is built on the growth of celebrities in their dance confidence, and even though this season has both Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Dewan, two incredible, seasoned dancers in their own right, every week just gets better and better.
Although I hold a very strong bias for stars like Connor Wood and Amber Glenn, both celebrities I adore, the most memorable moments of my time watching the premiere came from the celebrities I did not know very well. To start, Taylor Hanson just won my heart! His quickstep to “Tell Her About It” by Billy Joel was extremely impressive for week one, and though I know who the Hanson Brothers are, I love that this episode gave me insight into how sweet and down-to-earth he seems.
Additionally, I loved the segment giving insight into the “Dancing with the Stars” dance troupe. The troupe consists of four professional dancers who perform in group numbers, opening and closing numbers, and live transitions. Often, troupe members are pulled up to be pro-dancers when spots need to be filled, so I think it is so nice that they were given a moment to introduce themselves and show behind-the-scenes of their dances. One troupe member, Kamri Peterson, is new this season and only 18 years old!
Stars to Keep on Your Radar
- I think Julia Stiles and her pro partner Ezra Sosa are so incredibly charming. Stiles’ humor and the love she radiates make her an easy contestant to root for. Not to mention she danced great in week one, and I think she will only improve.
- Additionally, I couldn’t talk about the premiere without talking about my favorite, Connor Wood. Although I am unsure about his overall popularity and notability coming into the show, I can not wait to see how this launches his career. He is a stand-up comedian and social media personality, but personally, I know him from his podcast, Brooke and Connor Make A Podcast, a weekly comedy podcast that I have been listening to over the past couple of years. He is witty and likable, and I hope this show will shoot him into stardom as he wins over the hearts of viewers at home.
- And for Shum Jr., I have no notes. Shum Jr. is famous for his notable acting roles in TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Glee. Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson’s Cha Cha to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire was incredible and the most rewatched dance of the night – by me and my roommate, at least. I know he will be great, and I would not be shocked or upset if he takes that mirror ball home.
What We Learn From Dancing with the Stars
Since it premiered in 2005, this show has been a staple in American reality TV, and there really is nothing like it. What makes this show so unique is that it is released weekly, and given the streaming age we live in, it is amazing to see the live viewership keep rising. The show presents unique opportunities for celebrities to show their real personalities behind the spotlights, and even though the stars are judged on their dances by the judges, the viewers at home always seem to vote for the combination of a great dancer with a great personality.
The two-day premiere, which was the show’s biggest premiere in six years, proves to TV executives everywhere that people do not want to binge it alone in their beds. This show is made to watch with friends, and I think that as college students, we are the perfect demographic for this show. I meet with friends weekly around the TV in our dorm’s common room. Some people bring homework, others bring snacks, but in the end, it is something we watch together.
If you are starting your college journey or you are a veteran, my biggest piece of advice would be to watch Dancing with the Stars with others. It’s a great way to meet people and share each other’s company, which I think is needed more now than ever. I love that this show encourages human connection, and I am so excited for each week, from now until November, to get together with friends, choose favorites, occasionally having to shush people when dances start, and overall, share this viewing experience with others.
Dancing with the Stars airs live on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC and Disney+.