Glitz, Glamour, and Glitches: DWTS Season 35 Kicks Off!
The ballroom is officially back! CBS Television City sparkled once again as Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) returned for its highly anticipated 35th season. This year, the competition for the prestigious Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy is more intense than ever, starting with a unique two-night premiere event.
To give every star their moment in the spotlight, ABC split the premiere. Tuesday night was dedicated exclusively to the male celebrities, while the ladies are set to dazzle the judges and audience on Wednesday. But as any fan knows, a night at the ballroom is never without a bit of drama.
The Dancing with the Stars Voting Chaos
While the dancing was electric, the Dancing with the Stars voting process hit a major snag. In a shocking turn of events, online voting via ABC.com crashed mid-show, forcing producers to discard those votes and rely solely on text-in ballots.
Adding to the confusion is a naming dilemma: this season features two contestants named Connor. To ensure your vote counts, hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough warned viewers that they must specify “Conner L.” or “Connor W.” in their texts. Failure to do so means the vote is void—a risky technicality that could change the fate of the competition!
Night One Scoreboard: Who Nailed It?
Despite the technical hiccups, the talent on the floor was undeniable. Here is how the men fared in their opening routines:
- Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson: The clear winners of the night! Their “emergency disco” cha cha was a masterclass in chemistry and precision.
Score: 21/30 - Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach: An emotional and fiery tango that proved Ezra is a true leading man.
Score: 20/30 - Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess: The Bachelor alum surprised the judges with a powerful tango performance.
Score: 17/30 - Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold: While lacking technique, Wood’s sincerity and personality won over the crowd.
Score: 16/30 - Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart: A brave attempt at the quickstep that showed great progress.
Score: 16/30 - Jackson Olson & Emma Slater: A high-energy cha cha to the Spice Girls that brought the energy back to the ballroom.
Score: 15/30 - Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman: A high-energy but “chaotic” salsa.
Score: 12/30 - Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson: Despite the crowd’s love for Guillermo’s charm, the judges were tough on the technique.
Score: 10/30
The First Heartbreak of the Season
The joy of the premiere was short-lived for one couple. Despite the enthusiasm and the Latin flair, Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were the first to be sent packing. They will make one final appearance during tomorrow’s “live afterparty” alongside last season’s winner, Robert Irwin.
With the competition just heating up, the stakes for Dancing with the Stars voting have never been higher. Will the judges’ strict scoring prevail, or will the fan favourites cruise to the finals?
For more official updates and to find out how to cast your votes correctly for the next episode, visit the official Dancing with the Stars page on ABC.
