The ballroom returned in glittering fashion as “Dancing with the Stars” launched its 34th season this week. The premiere had everything fans expect, like the typical sequins, celebrity nerves and more than a few stiff hips. It also hinted at a season full of potential and surprising talent.
Judge Derek Hough past pro of the ballroom, and experienced — ballroom dancer — reminded viewers that the first week scores are usually lower, allowing space for growth. That context was clear throughout the night as several couples debuted routines that felt more like introductions than fully realized performances.
Gymnast Jordyn Chiles with pro Ezra Sosa, influencer Dylan Efron with pro Daniella Karagach and singer Scott Hoying with pro Rylee Arnold all landed in that “promising but tight” category. Nerves and rigidity kept many from showing their full ability.
With that, there were still some moments where personality shined through and hinted that with more confidence, they could become contenders for the highly coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Others looked surprisingly polished right out of the gate.
Actress Elaine Hendrix and pro Alan Bersten brought a natural stage quality that stood out for a premiere. Similarly, actress Danielle Fishel and pro Pasha Pashkov impressed enough to arguably deserve higher scores than they received.
Some celebs bring a history of dance experience and confidence to the stage that gives them a real upper hand. Singer Lauren Jauregui clearly showed that in her week one dance, along with Hilaria Baldwin. Even “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt displayed a technical skill that set a high bar for this season.
However, not everyone hit their stride. Comedian Andy Richter got paired up with pro Emma Slater, who always seems to get the older men who usually leave the show early on. It does not seem that she will be redeemed of that this season either.
Their timing issues were not the only ones of the evening. Actor Corey Feldman and pro Jenna Johnson struggled with timing and an awkward chemistry overall. Jen Affleck and new pro Jan Ravnik also failed to make an impact with their number.
While not totally disastrous, those who fell to the bottom of the scoreboard had forgettable dances. For the sake of fan support, it is hard to compete with a dance that falls through the cracks. The challenge for these contestants will be proving they belong in the ballroom once the glitter of premiere night wears off.
That contrast — between those who played it safe, those who flopped and those who were surprising — is what keeps “DWTS” compelling. Unlike scripted competition shows, the magic here comes from watching celebrities transform into dancers in real time.
The stiff, self-conscious athlete who blossoms into a performer or the sitcom star who discovers their inner ballroom diva is the type of arc that makes viewers invest for weeks. Already, this cast seems well-equipped to deliver that kind of narrative variety.
The professional dancers also play a crucial role, and this season’s roster reminds us why they’re the heart of the show. Sosa leaned into Chiles’ strengths with acrobatic choreography, even if her hips weren’t quite ready to follow. Karagach’s charm made Efron look more comfortable on stage than his technique suggested. Meanwhile, pros like Val Chmerkovskiy, Bersten and Pashkov proved why they’ve remained fan favorites for so long, guiding their partners with precision and stage presence that elevated otherwise shaky debuts.
The clear standout of the night — and honestly, my early pick to win it all — was T.V. personality and zookeeper Robert Irwin with pro Witney Carson.
The routine had a rare mix of confidence and charisma. It was the kind of performance you’d expect to see later in the season, not the premiere. It was polished without feeling stiff, and it set a bar that’s going to be hard for anyone else to reach.
The rest of the night wasn’t perfect, but that’s the beauty of a premiere. The full range of nerves, missteps, surprises and glimpses of who might take home the trophy.
After all, “Dancing with the Stars” is fun to watch for that reason. It’s more than just dancing, but also the transformation of each star.
Week one gave us a baseline, and now the real growth starts. Scores will rise, stakes will get higher, and the ballroom will keep delivering its drama. One thing’s already clear: this season won’t be predictable when it comes to who’s taking home that Mirrorball.
