Dancing with the Stars is finally back with Season 35. With 16 celebrities and pros, this season is tied with the show’s largest cast yet. It also welcomes two new pros and a returning pro back to the ballroom. There’s a lot to look forward to this season. There is the podcast with Andy Richter, the after show with Robert Irwin, and so much more. We’ll be breaking down every episode — what we loved and what we (maybe) didn’t — all season long.
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Overall Thoughts?
Shelby: I also think the two nights become necessary because the show wants to understandably self-promote its other stars — the professional dancers. The Paris Baguette ad with Julianne Hough in the first night, and tonight has Derek Hough’s piece from tour. Yes, it does take time, but I also think it’s a fantastic way to highlight the creativity of the people who do this for a living and have so much passion for this art and creative world. What can I say? I enjoyed both numbers for different reasons! Then again, I’ve been watching the Houghs on this show for…so long.
Shana: At the halfway point, I could 100% say that tonight was so, so much better than the first night of the premiere. The judging, on the other hand, was not. I think they were harsher on the women than on weaker performances from some of the men, and even within this episode itself, there were some scores that made sense at first…only to feel too low in comparison to performances that came later. Regardless, the women came to play. Period.
I also really loved the troupe’s performance to Madonna’s “Danceteria.” I couldn’t decide if I wanted to put it into my thoughts on the pieces that were part of the actual competition or not, so I’ll just say it here. I’m a Madonna fan, she’s a huge part of the reason I became a dancer, and Jaxon Willard is so disgustingly talented it almost shouldn’t be allowed. So. Put that together with three dancers who are all awesome in their own right, and like. Yeah. No notes.
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Favorite Dance?
Shelby: Amber Glenn and Pasha’s Cha Cha was everything I expected and wanted and more. I’m so excited to watch Amber challenge herself — moving from the ice to the ballroom. I love that Pasha gave her that incredible solo moment, but I’m also looking forward to watching them grow into their partner work. Pasha said that their options are “limitless,” and I couldn’t agree more. Having this much quality in their first dance in their first week makes me eager to see their next dance.
I also loved the creativity of Maura Higgins and Mark’s Foxtrot. There’s a whole story in that choreography. The Birkin?! Mark Ballas, your mind! I’ve been watching Maura on reality TV since 2019, and it’s incredible to watch her leap into the adventure. And having BC Jean, Mark’s wife, singing “Black Velvet?” The layers of everything were just impressive.
Shana: Mark Ballas, the teacher you are!!! I have no idea why I ever doubted him, but that rehearsal package had me concerned about Maura. What an absolute slay. (Kind of rude to say there was only “one” Traitor in the audience when the legendary, iconic Lisa Rinna was sitting right next to Rob, though.)
The other three standouts that I fully expected to be standouts and that were, for both reasons I expected and reasons I didn’t: Amber Glenn, who showed exactly the level of potential I knew she had; Julia Stiles, who had me wiping my tears because of the Dolly Parton tribute and Julia’s pure joy; and Jenna Dewan. I know there’s been a lot of discourse about Jenna having previous experience, but I can’t stress how much a tango—and anything ballroom!—is very, very different from the particular experience she has.
If anyone had any doubt, yes, she was excellent tonight…but far from perfect. (Girl, those shoulders and that form. Which the judges pointed out! And Jenna was even doing that thing dancers do when we receive feedback where we kind of know what we’re going to hear and show it!) If you still have doubts, I encourage you to look up literally anything Briar Nolet has done—just search “Richelle The Next Step” on YouTube, honestly—and then that first episode of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. Problem solved.
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Favorite Partnership?
Shelby: Julia Stiles gave me my entire personality when she played Kat Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You, so I was thrilled when she joined this season’s cast. I’ve also had the best time watching her and Ezra Sosa come together and be total rays of sunshine. They have infectious energy that I think will translate to truly incredible performances this season. It’s also practically impossible not to smile watching them dance to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5,” knowing Parton cleared the song for Stiles to use before Parton passed.
Shana: I’m biased coming into this, but Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov. Thankfully, they didn’t disappoint. At all. Following the ups and downs of Amber’s skating career for years, I just want all the good things for her. She’s been through a lot, yeah, but she’s also the epitome of a supportive competitor and completely unafraid to be her. For those who don’t know, other skaters—even from other countries—will come out and talk about her as the one who looks after everyone else, kind of unprompted at times. If you saw her hyping up other dancers, especially Maura after she utterly slayed, that was genuine. That’s who she is. It’s what Amber does in figure skating, and I love that a broader audience is getting to see her do it on Dancing with the Stars.
Anyway. I knew Amber was going to be a great performer, and although the judges gave some great constructive feedback, I was also really impressed for it “only” being Week 1 and her having to cross over from a totally different type of movement.
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Most Memorable Moment/Likely to Go Viral?
Shelby: Can I just say how much I love that this episode gives the troupe their flowers? Carter, Jaxon, Onye, and Kamri are next-level talents that are already producing such clean, entertaining bumpers, and we’re only two episodes into the season. I’m so blown away by them!
Shana: Ok, on the surprising front (both good and bad): I was both pleasantly surprised that Tatyana Ali didn’t benefit from a ton of extra favoritism or “push” from Alfonso Ribeiro…and super gutted to see the nerves obviously affect her as the first one out. I came into this expecting her to do well, and I still think she can! Honestly, compared to the first few performances last night, she was still lowballed, as far as I’m concerned—even compared to some of the other performances tonight, she was judged more harshly. And while I’m happy to see a lack of favoritism, I’m not at all here for her being robbed. The same “good” surprise came from Hailey and Sarah Jane also not getting wildly inflated scores just because of their (multiple) ties to the franchise. Shouldn’t have to be surprised by fairness. And yet!
Viral: We’ve got a couple! My girl Amber Glenn should absolutely go viral for that “hot” comment. She was made for TV. Put her in everything! The Traitors, anyone? SVU since everyone goes there eventually? Sky’s the limit. (Just…I want to see her skating for several more seasons first, if that’s at all possible and what she wants.)
…and Derek Hough’s “Andy Cohen, you can eat it!” had better be a reaction gif, like, now. Yesterday, even.
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Reaction to the Elimination
Shelby: I am so bummed, especially for Hailey Bills. Watching her become an even more confident dancer on troupe and on the DWTS tour really set her up for this season. It also, like I wrote about last night, feels so deeply unnecessary to send someone home after just one dance. It’s also a little absurd that both of the pros who went home were the newest additions. How are they meant to grow and find their footing as pros if they only have a singular dance to do so?
Shana: All I can think is “thank God, Tatyana gets a chance to actually do what she can do now that the nerves are out.” I was so stressed there at the end, seriously. It’s kind of…unfortunate that both early eliminations were stars who happened to be paired with brand new pros, though. You’d think production would’ve thrown them a bone. Some bones? Whatever.
And, once again, I have to point out what a supportive queen Amber Glenn is. Because she is. Did you see her rushing down to Sarah Jane Nader there at the end? Hmm???
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