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Alix Earle Has Arrived!
4 minutes ago
The influencer and social media personality said the “last two years have been insane,” citing her movie and Super Bowl commercial. “But nobody has seen my competitive side yet, it’s about to go down.”
Alix met partner Val Chmerkovskiy and told him she was “such a big fan” beforehand. She also explained how dance was her “sport growing up” and she was excited to take on this journey with him.
As they rehearsed, Val admitted that this was “very overwhelming for her,” but Alix vowed to master the routine.
She danced to a Cha-Cha to “Circus” by Britney Spears and Bruno later commended her for “doing very, very well.” However, he urged her to remember the “continuity” and “connection” of the routine.
Derek called it “sharp, clean, precise and powerful,” and noted it was “not an easy routine” to have as her first dance.
In the skybox, Alix said she was “trying to ignore the cameras” and be herself in hopes that it would take her far.
Score: 13/20
Baron Davis Heats Up the Competition
12 minutes ago
The retired NBA all-star said he’s “here to learn how to dance” and was inspired to do the show by fellow basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who competed in season 26.
Upon meeting partner Britt Stewart, she said she was thrilled to have an athlete as her partner. The two then rehearsed their dance to “Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer as Baron said the song gives him “the energy” he needs to compete and be on his top game.
After the dance, Derek said he “crushed this” and called the performance “fun.” He also praised Baron’s “charisma” in the routine. “That was a great, great first dance. You should be so happy, so much potential!” he said.
Bruno was equally as impressed and said his MC Hammer references were “spot on.”
Afterwards, in the skybox, Baron told Julianne that his teammates “laughed for like, five minutes” when they learned he was competing on DWTS. He also admitted that he was eager to get the first dance done.
Score: 10/20
Family Comes First for Robert Irwin
12 minutes ago
Before making his ballroom debut, Robert Irwin revealed his family was in attendance for the big night on Instagram.
“The fam has arrived for the live show! Dancing with the Stars premier here we go🎉🎉🪩🪩🐊🐊” he wrote alongside a photo of mom Terri Irwin, sister Bindi Irwin, Bindi’s husband Chandler Powell and his niece Grace, outside his trailer.
Whitney Leavitt Takes #MomTok to the Ballroom
21 minutes ago
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star vowed that fans will “see a different side” of her on DWTS before meeting pro Mark Ballas for the first time. She brought him up to speed about #MomTok and the playful rivalry between her and costar Jennifer Affleck before starting rehearsals.
She delivered a Tango to “Golden” from K-Pop Demon Hunters before Bruno commended her for her routine. He called it “elegant” and praised her content in the dance. “No messing around, very, very, very high quality!” he said.
Derek echoed Bruno’s comments, but advised her to keep “the frame consistent.” He also pointed out that Carrie Ann would’ve loved that routine if she were there.
Before receiving her scores, Whitney laughed about how long the dances are versus her #MomTok routines. She also said she fell in love with the song after “watching it with my kids one night.”
Bruno initially gave her a 7, making Whitney’s score a 14/20. However, Julianne announced her score as a 15/20 before clarifying that Bruno actually gave an 8 so her score had changed by one point.
Score: 15/20
Elaine Hendrix Returns to Dance
32 minutes ago
Elaine said the dance studio was her “first love” and she “started her career as a personal dancer” before meeting pro Alan Bersten for the first time. In their first meeting, she brought Alan champagne that she said “we’re going to drink when we win.”
Elaine said she stopped dancing because she was hit by a car. “The reality is I don’t know if I can do this… I close my eyes and imagine that I’m still 21 years old but my body might have different plans,” she said.
After their Cha-Cha to “Woman” by Kesha, the judges were shocked by her talents.
“You are amazing!” Derek said, noting she had a “Broadway quality” to her dancing. He suggested she “finish your movements off” and praised her “journey for reclaiming dance.”
Bruno called it “sexy but classy” and agreed with Derek about her movements needing to be complete. “Great performance, great potential!”
Speaking to Julianne in the skybox, Elaine admitted, “I’ve never done ballroom and haven’t trained in a studio in 30 years… I’m so grateful to be here.” She also acknowledged that she was feeling the pain from dancing, but “I want to prove to myself and prove to other women that age is just a number.”
Before receiving her scores, Elaine also taught Julianne the iconic handshake from The Parent Trap.
Score: 12/20
Dylan Efron Goes from Traitors Champ to Ballroom Star
38 minutes ago
Dylan said fans would likely recognize him for “winning Traitors” or his “thirst traps on social media.” He also acknowledged that many people know him for being the younger brother of Zac Efron.
“I was his biggest fan,” he said of his brother, who he called “always the star” and “always the most charismatic.”
The outdoor enthusiast also said he was “excited to do something nobody would expect” from him. “What better way to do that than to go out there and shake my ass?”
Following his Cha-Cha routine to “Milkshake” by Kelis, Bruno commended Dylan’s ability to shake his behind but noted he was “on and off” at times and said “you need to be consistent.”
Derek said he was “surprised” by Dylan’s “fluidity,” but noted he “lost the timing,” and advised him to “step into that leading man role” with his partner Daniela Karagach. “Overall, what a surprising and fantastic first dance!”
Later, Dylan told Julianne he chose the song so he could “do something completely that’s not me” and “I’ve never danced in my life.” He also said his “heart is beating through my chest right now” after his routine.
Score: 10/20
Jordan Chiles Is First to Go!
48 minutes ago
Ahead of meeting her partner Ezra Sosa, Jordan said in a confessional her fellow gymnastics teammates “set the bar high” and the “expectations were higher.”
Once she met Ezra, the two spoke about Jordan’s performance to “Break My Soul” by Beyoncé. During rehearsals, Ezra said she “holds herself like a gymnast,” which Jordyn acknowledged was true because it’s much different dancing versus flipping in the gym.
After their dance, Derek praised their “flips and tricks” in the routine but asked she “keep the integrity” of Latin dancing. He also warned that the scoring this evening might be lower than expected, but “it’s a marathon.”
Bruno also loved the dance, but noted she was “a bit wobbly” and advised her to “carry the heat motion through the body.” Overall, he called it a “very, very good first performance.”
Before receiving their scores, Ezra said it was “so much fun” dancing with Jordan, while Jordan called Ezra “amazing” and praised his “personality” for allowing her to be herself as well.
She also said Beyoncé likely would’ve been “proud” of her routine. “She’s somebody that I look up to,” she added.
Score: 10/20
The Night Kicks Off!
48 minutes ago
The energy was high in the ballroom as the evening kicked off with a dance from the pros. Hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro then introduced the judges and couples, before starting the night’s performances to each pair’s anthems.
The hosts also confirmed that nobody would be eliminated on night one.
Carrie Ann Inaba Makes a Surprising Announcement
1 hr 24 min ago
Eric McCandless/Disney
Hours ahead of the season 34 premiere, Carrie Ann Inaba revealed she won’t be in the ballroom on Tuesday night due to an illness.
In an Instagram post, the judge, 57, wrote: “I wanted to share that I will not be at the show tonight as I am feeling quite under the weather. I’m resting up and can’t wait to be back next week in good health.”
“In the meantime, I wish all the contestants the very best of luck. I’ll be cheering you on from home. 🤍🙏 Have a great show everyone! 🪩💃🏻🕺🏻⭐️” she added.
PEOPLE has learned there will be no replacement for Inaba on tonight’s show and she is expected to return next week.
