Season 35 of “Dancing with the Stars” Returns with a Two‑Night, 8‑Dance Premiere and a Shock First Elimination

It’s finally here – the 35th season of Dancing with the Stars has rolled out its glittering carpet, and the producers decided to make a splash with a two‑night launch. Night one showcased the men, night two the women, and together they delivered eight different dances that felt part‑retro tribute, part‑fresh competition.

The theme? Nostalgia. Every celebrity chose the No. 1 song from the year they were born, turning the ballroom into a time‑machine. From the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove,” the music choices sparked both memories and the kind of buzz you hear in a crowded dance hall.

Among the first performers, “Savannah Bananas” star Jackson Olson and pro Emma Slater opened with a cha‑cha to “Wannabe.” The judges, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, warned that scoring would be tighter than ever – a promise they kept. Olson earned a modest 15 out of 30, with the trio noting his raw energy but urging better technique.

“The Bachelorette” alum Tyler Cameron and pro Sharna Burgess followed with a tango to Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way.” Derek likened Cameron’s presence to a “Patrick Swayze aura,” while Carrie Ann praised his floor command. They climbed a notch higher with 17 points.

Newcomer Conner Leavitt, husband from “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” paired with freshly crowned pro Adele Zaikman for a salsa to Tag Team’s “Whoomp! (There It Is).” The routine was described as colorful but chaotic, and despite a few laughs, the judges handed them a low 12. Unfortunately, that score, combined with audience votes, meant the pair were the first to leave the competition.

Other highlights included Paralympic gold‑medalist Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach’s passionate tango to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” which earned a solid 20 points, and Harry Shum Jr. with Jenna Johnson delivering a show‑stopping cha‑cha to “Let’s Groove,” netting the night’s highest 21 points.

Voting this week was a little quirky – technical glitches forced the show to count only text votes. Still, hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced that total votes more than doubled the premiere numbers from last season, a testament to the show’s lingering fan base.

The elimination of Leavitt was a sobering reminder that “rules are rules,” even if it felt harsh to see a couple bow out after just one performance. But the excitement doesn’t end there; tomorrow night the women’s half of the cast will take the floor, promising another round of glitter, glittering outfits, and (hopefully) fewer broken hearts.

Catch all the drama live on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday, September 16, or stream the episode the next day on Hulu. The mirror ball is spinning, the music’s blasting, and the competition is just getting started.