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.
MORE: Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Roundtable: Premiere – Night 2
Overall Thoughts?
Shelby: Regardless of the dancers’ timing, I wish the show itself would think about its timing. I feel like we’re missing so much criticism with the judges and opportunities to connect with the celebrities and their pros in packages. Maybe two shows a week could fix that? I just want the judges to be able to tell the celebrities more than one word so they can actually improve. Basically, I want more Dancing with the Stars from my Dancing with the Stars.
Shana: First off: I don’t understand what Julianne Hough and Jenna Dewan did to upset the Wardrobe folks. Second, what if instead of trying to chase “viral” whatever and forcing some of these styles to fit the on-trend music to go with it they just…didn’t do that? There are ways to appeal to the people, and even incorporate some of those viral hits (or whatever), without the reach. And finally, on the negative front, I’m over the rushed feeling of all the performances and the one-word limits on the third judge for each dancer, when there are 923874398743 commercials. What do we have to do to get the billionaires to bring back the results shows and maybe cut just a few commercials? Can’t us peasants have any joys in life?
On a positive note, we’re really starting to see who some of the frontrunners are, even just in the second week—but that doesn’t mean we should count anyone out either. We almost lost Tatyana Ali last week, but she had the redemption of the night. Also, despite clear signs of feeling the pressure of killing it in the premiere, Maura Higgins still had a solid performance. It was the type of struggle that’s good to have in dance because it proves you can do it, even when it’s hard. Also, how do I get an hour with Mark Ballas? Just one. Seriously, the teacher that man is.
MORE: Dancing with the Stars Season 35 Roundtable: Premiere – Night 1
Favorite Partnership?
Shelby: I love love love Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong’s partnership. I appreciate that he choreographed in a way to help her on this confidence-boosting journey. You can tell they really get along and are starting to really trust each other in this process. I love that I could imagine Brandon’s face when he was on the floor in front of her at the end, even though all we could see was his back. And she didn’t let her heel getting caught pull her down either!
If you know me, you know that I am so charmed by Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, and I want them to get to that final. They work so well together, and I’m excited to see them implement critiques and clean the dances and just get better every single week. Likewise, I am so invested in Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas with Team Tink. I love them both individually, and they make such a great time, and I love watching them perform together. You can tell that Mark is really cleaning up Maura’s technique and lines.
Shana: The creativity, absolute trust, communication, and ability to adapt that Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach not just needed, but fully embodied and (near-)perfectly executed in order to do that cha cha…Like, I honestly can’t even come up with the words. What a team—and what a moment.
Not an actual partnership, but when Amber was sandwiched between Adele and Hailey, I was like, “Yes, this is correct. She deserves all the ladies and also her actual partner, Pasha.”
MORE: Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Gives Us a Finale We Didn’t See Coming (No, Not Like That)
Favorite Dance?
Shelby: Daniella Karagach really set the bar high by saying that the Cha Cha would be Ezra Frech’s hardest dance, and they just exploded on stage. They are so good! Daniella is one of the best pros because she knows how to tailor choreography to her celeb, and she did yet another stellar job with this dance. I am in awe of them!
Amber Glenn and Pasha’s Tango to “All The Things She Said” with Harrison in the ballroom was absolutely breathtaking. The lead-in with the package of Amber talking about what Heated Rivalry means to her just made it that much more special. And Pasha’s choreography was layered and technical, and I just don’t have enough great things to say about this one.
Shana: This is where I do my civic duty and request Amber Glenn for President. (Except not really because of legal age requirements and, more importantly, the electorate and the press being full of monsters.) Bruno was right when he said she had the best tango of the night. Just stunning, yet there’s still plenty of untapped potential and room to grow. I genuinely can’t wait to see what she does next. But no pressure because she’s already a winner in my book anyway.
I also love that she took her opportunity on the live show to make sure she used her platform to continue standing up for the LGBTQ+ community.
…I could do without the flashback to the war*, though.
*Amber’s reaction to rough skates over the years
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Most Surprising or Underrated Moment?
Shelby: Sharna’s wink to camera before the salsa, which wasn’t that much of a traditional salsa, with Tyler Cameron started. That was her knowing EXACTLY what they were about to do — deliver something that got people talking. Sharna also knows how to choreograph a dance with tricks, and I loved seeing her back in that specific element. Also, an Off Campus fan, I ate up Tyler doing Belmont Cameli’s dance. But I’m excited to see Sharna push Tyler with technique more because she is so skilled.
I feel like we’re still getting to know Jan as a pro in this world. Because of that, I just love his storytelling in that Foxtrot with Tatyana. I wish we got to see even more of the choreography if the fog machine wasn’t so intense. Also, love that them doing a Quickstep next week totally slipped his mind. Jan, you never disappoint!
Shana: I’m here for all the little underrated things this week.
The tiniest details can make or break a performance, and there was a moment toward the end of Tatyana Ali’s foxtrot that, for me, took what was already a major redemption dance and elevated it to the next level. There was so much joy and relief, both in her expression and in how she carried her body as she looked back over her shoulder. And while the facial expression itself can be written off as her known acting talent, the quality of movement—yes, even with just looking over the shoulder—told a whole story. It was movement with intention—that’s dance. Releasing a breath is dance; stillness is dance. She danced. Well done. Truly. (Let’s all gush over Alfonso calling her “my TV little sister” while we’re at it, too.)
I was surprised to see Guillermo in Serious Mode. And considering he’s so far out of his comfort zone, I’ll continue to be impressed when he gets the most important part of every single one of his dances right: Keeping Witney safe and supported.
Also underrated: Derek Hough with the arm at the judges’ table. No, seriously, just a quick demonstration, so elegant, so precise, and so “most of us will never.”
Reaction to the Elimination
Shelby: I hate the feeling of watching the final 3. I’ve been watching this show for so long, and it never gets easier. Everyone works so hard, and it’s so tough to think their journey on the show could end so quickly. I really thought that anyone could have gone home tonight. The competition is so tight and this cast is so loved. Out of everyone, I wonder if Giada shows the least amount of improvement and isn’t receiving enough votes. Either way, it’s a shame to see Giada so gutted about going home. Gosh, this show!
Shana: It’s one of those things where, based on how the performances went in both episodes, it was kind of correct. On the other hand, it’s difficult to see Giada so crushed after trying so hard, and I feel like she actually did try. That, to me, should count for something. Anyone else remember when Dancing with the Stars was truly about the journey for total beginners? I’ll defend the “has experience” contestants to the death because they don’t have this type of experience and all…but still.
Anyway. Back to my original point. The work should count for something, and taking off a shirt and doing whatever that was with that one guy’s hips does not content make. (Sorry, not sorry.)
Guillermo’s way too much fun and really seems to be committed to learning, so I’m glad we’ll get at least one more week with him.
MORE: How ‘Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro’ Changes the ‘DWTS’ Format
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