“Dancing With the Stars” kicked off its highly anticipated Season 35 with a two-night premiere, showcasing a dazzling array of performances from the female contestants. The second night featured a variety of ballroom styles, with each dancer performing to a song from their birth year, including hits from Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston, and Avril Lavigne.
Hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced that the premiere garnered nearly 7 million viewers, marking the series’ highest-rated debut in six years. The judges set the tone for the evening by reminding contestants that scores would start lower to allow for growth throughout the competition. Ultimately, Sarah Jane Nader and her partner Hailey Bills were eliminated after their performance.
Standout Performances
Among the highlights of the night was Maura Higgins, who captivated the judges with her foxtrot inspired by her time on the reality show “Traitors.” Dancing to “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles, Higgins’ routine featured elements that paid homage to her reality TV experience, including hooded traitors and a Birkin bag. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba described the performance as mesmerizing, while Bruno Tonioli praised the unique movement quality.
Other notable performances included Amber Glenn, who showcased her competitive spirit with a cha cha routine to “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas. Despite her lack of experience dancing with a partner, Glenn impressed the judges with her fiery routine, although they noted the need for refinement in her technique.
Ciara Miller, a former star of “Summer House,” performed a foxtrot to Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).” Inaba was visibly moved by Miller’s emotional expression during the dance, stating, “I can see the pain that you have. This is the beautiful thing about dance; it gives you a place to express that.”
Competition Recap
Giada De Laurentiis made her debut with a tango to “Venus” by Shocking Blue, impressing the judges despite having no prior dance experience. Julia Stiles also shone with her quickstep to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” which she dedicated to the late country music icon, receiving high praise for her performance.
Jenna Dawan concluded the night with a tango to “Call Me” by Blondie, showcasing her skills as a former professional dancer. While Inaba docked a point for a lift in her routine, the judges expressed excitement for what’s to come in the season.
Elimination and Future Prospects
The leaderboard for Week 1, Night Two saw Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas leading with a score of 21, followed closely by Jenna Dawan and Val Chmerkovskiy with 19. The competition is heating up as the season progresses, with the men’s dances set to take center stage next week.
For a full recap of all the night’s dances, visit TheWrap.
Readers can also explore current and upcoming editions through the FAME Delivered magazine section.
