The new season ofDancing with the Starshas officially kicked off — and the competition is already fierce!
Monday night not only marked the show’s season 31 premiere but also its first episode on Disney+, which makesDWTSthe first live series to stream on the service.
JudgesLen Goodman, Bruno Tonioli,Derek HoughandCarrie Ann Inabawere also welcomed back with excitement before the dances officially began.
Jordin Sparks and Brandon Armstrong
Though the singer andAmerican Idolalum said she’s known as “the girl with the big voice,” she told viewers she’s currently got her eyes set on the mirrorball trophy.
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Dancing with the Stars.Eric McCandless/ABC
“What a way to startDancing with the Starsseason 31,“Derek Houghtold her, whileCarrie Ann Inabasaid Sparks did a “great, great, great job.”
Sparks later told Tyra and Alfonso, “I have such a connection with the song and [Whitney] really encouraged me when I got to know her. She told me you can do this.”
Score: 26/40
Jordin Sparks and Brandon Armstrong.Andrew Eccles/abc
Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke
“The forecast is good, my love,” Bruno Tonioli told him after their dance. “You were poised, elegant, you’re easy to watch.”
Sam later told the crowd “it feels amazing” to finally dance with Cheryl.
“If it wasn’t for Cheryl and my eyes looking right in her eyes, I wouldn’t be able to be here,” he added.
Score: 20/40
Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev
When it came time for the judges' feedback, Bruno called Heidi a “red hot mother” whileLen Goodmanpraised Heidi for having “so much confidence” and “style.” Derek also joked how “he’s curious who Daddy D’Amelio will vote for.”
Speaking to Alfonso after her performance, Heidi admitted she almost walked away from the competition on Wednesday because “I get in my way and in my own head,” but credited Artem for pushing her to keep going.
Score: 24/40
Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart
TheCODAstar explained in his introduction package that people who are deaf “can’t hear music but we can feel it,” and he was ready to show the world his skills.
Daniel reiterated how important the vibration is to his dance and said he “loves feeling it” before earning the top score of the first four competitors.
Score: 27/40
Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten
The country singer and wife to NFL player Eric Decker opted for a cha-cha to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” because the song “reminds me of home, it has that southern feeling.”
The mom of three also said she worried about balancing the competition with her family,
Talking about the challenges of being a working mom of three, Jessie later said, “I really want to be here, but I’m a mom first. It’s been hard but I’m up for the challenge.”
Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov
The Real Housewives of New Jerseystar confirmed in her introduction package that she’s “been working on myself” and has been working with a therapist on “how not to get triggered.”
Bruno urged her to use “passion and fire” in the dance, noting that she has to “translate the passion into your dance,” while Carrie Ann told Teresa to “take up space, open up your chest… stay focused [and] present.”
Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov.Andrew Eccles/ABC
Wayne Brady and Witney Carson
The actor and comedian disclosed that he was doing the show because his grandmother loved it and he wants to “make her proud.”
Bruno told him afterward, “you’ve got it,” and Len declared the routine, “the most watchable dance of the night so far.” Derek added that Wayne needs to “find the balance between charisma, performance and technique.”
Speaking to Alfonso, Wayne later teared up while explaining why he chose to do this show. “Doing this show has opened up a completely different chapter,” he said, adding that he’s gonna say yes to more things and make everything better and enjoy it.
Score: 29/40
Wayne Brady and Witney Carson.
Cheryl Ladd and Louis van Amstel
At 71, theCharlie’s Angelsstar said she’s “not done with life” and ready to take on this challenge with her partner, who returned to the series after seven years.
Cheryl proudly declared that she’s gonna dance her fellow competitors “right off the stage,” even if they’re young enough to be her children, before dancing to Marvin Gaye’s “Gotta Give It Up”.
Carrie Ann believed the routine “was a little too simple for you” because “there’s so much more there.” Bruno called the routine a “wonderful routine” but urged her to push “the little devil that lays inside you a little bit further.”
Before receiving her score, Cheryl told the crowd, “I could just explode with joy from being here.”
Score: 21/40
Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki
Though he’s primarily known for beating up the beat onJersey Shore, Vinny said viewers soon will know him as “theDancing with the Starschampion.”
He and Koko then delivered a salsa routine to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó” but the judges weren’t impressed.
Len called it “rough,” and added that he “really wanted you to come out and knock my socks off but unfortunately tonight, that didn’t happen.”
Bruno joked how the salsa was “different from the Chippendales [experience]” Vinny previously starred in but noted that his “timing was really out.”
“I know you have more!” Carrie Ann exclaimed.
Score: 17/40
Shangela and Gleb Savchenko
The drag queen superstar and Gleb made history as the dancing competition’s first-ever all-male pair, as well as Shangela’s distinction as the first drag performer after 30 seasons ofDWTS.
“So spicy, so hot, it’s intoxicating what you do!” Bruno told Shangela, who he also noted was “totally in command of your performance.” Carrie Ann then praised Shangela for “showing up and being fierce and being all that you are.”
“I feel great about being here,” Shangela later said. “Wherever you are, you deserve to be seen!”
Score: 28/40
Shangela and Gleb Savchenko.Andrew Eccles/abc
Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater
“What a ride, I am breathless!” Bruno declared, while Len told him to “calm yourself down” and add more finesse to his dancing.
Carrie Ann scolded Emma for adding a lift into their routine, before telling Trevor, “Do not be afraid of dance.”
Afterward, Trevor told Alfonso he felt “exhilarate, proud, scared, shaky and a little nauseous.”
“That was the best dance of the night so far,” Derek declared. “Your rotation was off the hook, it was incredible.”
Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach
Daniella was quick to share her excitement for their partnership, saying that she looked forward to seeing how she can “transform"Arnold Schwarzenegger’s son and fitness model “into a ballroom dancer.”
Len said he “liked the energy” but urged Joseph that he’s “gotta work on your feet.” Derek said he “had the right intention for that dance” and noted how he had “some really beautiful arms.”
“I’m telling you: you’ll be back,” Bruno joked, as Carrie Ann pointed out how Joseph has “something very unique.”
Afterward, Joseph was asked what his father thought about him competing onDWTS. “Dancing doesn’t really run too well in the family so he was surprised,” he said before adding, “It’s a real honor to be here.”
Score: 23/40
Jason Lewis and Peta Murgatroyd
TheSex and the Citystar said “a large part of doing this is getting out of my comfort zone” but also said he hopes to improve his dancing skills for his upcoming wedding.
Jason and Peta then took the dance floor to perform a routine to Daft Funk’s “Get Lucky” — but unfortunately Jason was anything but.
“I’m so sorry but it was a very disappointing performance,” Len told him, to which the other judges echoed.
Jason later said of his dancing, “It’s something I’m not good at … but we’re at our best when we’re at the edge of our ability.”
Score: 18/40
Selma Blair and Sasha Farber
The actress and her partner spoke about herMS diagnosisin her introduction package, noting how she struggles with her physical and mental abilities but is determined to make a statement on this show.
“I want to perform in a way that uses my body,” she told Sasha in rehearsals. “Doing this can only help me in the long run.”
Selma also admitted that she was feeling nervous about her balance but noted, “I’ve underestimated me in the past so don’t underestimate me.”
During her performance, Selma danced an elegant routine to David Cook’s “Time of My Life,” which left Carrie Ann in tears. “You dance like a true artist,” she told her. “You are fully able to do and achieve anything, that was so impossible.”
Len praised her routine and said it had “lovely lyrical movement” and it was “fluid.”
Selma was overcome with emotion afterward and told Alfonso through tears, “I am so grateful… it was wonderful.”
Selma Blair and Sasha Farber.Andrew Eccles/abc
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas
The 18-year-old TikTok star said she’s been dancing since she was 5, but has never learned the ballroom style. “It’s definitely a chance to showcase a different side of me,” she told cameras.
“You met the expectation and then exceeded the expectation with that dance,” Derek told her. “The precision on that cha-cha was fantastic.”
Score: 32/40
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas.Andrew Eccles/abc
Results
Len said he couldn’t remember handing out 7’s or 8’s during a first night and this group “has great potential.”
Tyra and Alfonso then relayed how the voting played out, with Shangela and Gleb, Cheryl and Louie, Selma and Sasha, Jordin and Brandon, and Daniel and Britt claiming the first five safe spots.
Sam and Cheryl were the final pairing to be safe, before it came down to Teresa and Pasha (who finished in 12th overall) and Peta and Jason (who finished in 15th overall) in the bottom two.
Carrie Ann, Derek and Bruno all voted to save Teresa and Pasha, ultimately sending Jason and Peta home in week one.
Dancing with the Starsairs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Disney+.
source: people.com
