Dancing with the Stars Returns for a Nostalgic Season 35 Premiere

The ballroom lights are on again, and this time they’re flashing a little brighter. ABC’s Dancing with the Stars rolled out its 35th season with a two‑night premiere that felt more like a mini‑festival than a typical first episode.

Night 1 featured the men, night 2 the women – a simple split that gave each celebrity a chance to shine (or stumble) in front of a hungry audience. Eight couples hit the floor each evening, each pair tasked with dancing to the number‑one hit from the year they were born. It was a clever nod to nostalgia, and it gave the judges plenty of material to dissect.

Among the first to sashay onto the floor were Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson and his partner Emma Slater, who tackled a cha‑cha to the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe.” Judge Derek Hough warned viewers that scoring would be “especially tough this season,” and he wasn’t wrong – Olson earned a modest 15 out of 30.

“The audience went bananas,” Bruno Tonioli quipped, while Carrie Ann Inaba saw potential but urged Olson to tighten his movement. A similar vibe ran through Tyler Cameron’s tango to Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” where judges praised his surprise polish but noted he needed work on posture and presence, leaving him with a 17‑point total.

Not all routines were smooth sailing. Conner Leavitt, husband from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and pro Adele Zaikman attempted a salsa to Tag Team’s “Whoomp! (There It Is).” Carrie Ann called it “fun but chaotic,” Derek called it “goofy,” and Bruno mentioned timing issues. Their 12‑point score would soon become more consequential.

Guillermo Rodriguez of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Witney Carson revived 1971 with a cha‑cha to “Mr. Big Stuff.” The crowd loved him, but the judges were merciless: Derek said the technique was lacking, Bruno called it “unforgettable—in a not‑so‑good way,” and the pair scraped just 10 points.

On a higher note, Paralympic gold‑medalist Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach twirled to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.” Their tango earned a solid 20 out of 30, with Bruno noting the strong, controlled vibe, Carrie Ann cheering the showcase of possibility, and Derek getting a bit misty recalling his past work with Amy Purdy.

Social‑media influencer Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold gave the audience a fresh cha‑cha to Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It.” The judges liked the chemistry – “double dose of dopamine,” Derek said – but flagged timing and technique, settling on 16 points.

Musician Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart’s quickstep to Billy Joel’s “Tell Her About It” was praised for authenticity; Bruno said it was a proper quickstep, while Carrie Ann felt the late Len Goodman’s spirit was watching. They earned 16 points, with Derek urging consistency.

Lastly, actor Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson lit up the floor with a cha‑cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove.” Their chemistry hit the ceiling, scoring a perfect 21 – the highest of the night.

When the scores were tallied, the audience voting took an unexpected turn. Technical hiccups forced the producers to count only text votes, yet the numbers still doubled those from the previous season’s premiere. Even with just eight couples dancing, the fan response was overwhelming.

And then came the dreaded first elimination. The duo with the lowest combined score and vote count – Conner Leavitt and his brand‑new pro Adele Zaikman – bowed out after just one week. It’s a harsh reminder that, in this competition, every step counts.

Wednesday night promises a mirror‑ball repeat, this time featuring the female celebrities. Another eight couples will vie for points, praise, and, of course, a chance to stay on the floor.

Don’t miss a beat – Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streams on Disney+. The following day, the episodes land on Hulu for those who prefer on‑demand viewing.