Dancing Back into the Ballroom

Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Opening Night Results

Photo by Kate Bascom / Maclay Andalusian

The time ballroom fans have been waiting for, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, Dancing with the Stars premiered on ABC with their new cast for the 2025 year. Lasting nearly two hours, pros and stars were introduced to each other and the floor for the first time as they showcased what they have been working on. Because it was the first day, no eliminations occurred, so this week’s scores will be added to their next week scores. Unfortunately, judge Carrie Ann Inaba was not present for the premiere due to illness, so judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli were left by themselves, causing trouble together the whole night. 

First to take the floor was Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles and her partner Ezra Sosa. They danced the Salsa to Beyonce’s hit song “Break My Soul,” earning them a 10/20 from judges. Ezra was finally brought back to the dance floor after he and his partner Anna Delvey were one of the first eliminated last year for Season 33; he is hoping to make a comeback and stick around longer this season. 

Second to dance and shake hips was reality tv star Dylan Efron and his partner, one-time Mirrorball winner, Daniella Karagach. They performed a Cha-Cha to the song “Milkshake” by Kelis, also earning them a score of 10/20. 

Taking the floor next was actress Elaine Hendrix and her partner, one time Mirrorball winner, Alan Bernsten. They danced the Cha-Cha to the song “Woman” by Kesha, receiving a store of 12/20. Alan Bernsten returns to the floor after being a runner-up for Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars, hoping to make it just as far this year, if not farther.

Next to grace the stage with her presence was star Whitney Leavitt and her partner, three time champion, Mark Ballas. They performed the Tango to “Golden” by Huntrix, earning them one of the highest scores of the night: 15/20. Mark Ballas was last on the ballroom floor in 2023, when he won the mirrorball trophy with his partner Charli D’Amelio, before taking a break as a pro for Season 33. 

Up next was two-time NBA All-Star Baron Davis and his partner, and newlywed, Britt Stewart. They danced the Cha-Cha to MC Hammer’s song “U Can’t Touch This,” earning them a score of 10/20. 

Performing next was social media star Alix Earle and her partner, three time Mirrorball winner, Val Chmerkovskiy. They performed a Cha-Cha to the song “Circus” by Britney Spears, earning them a score of 13/20. 

“I loved the first episode,” eighth grader Emmy Mathews said. “I think Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy will win because I think she had a lot of performance quality.” 

Dancing his way to the floor next was three-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Scott Hoying and his partner Rylee Arnold. They danced the Tango to Lady Gaga’s song “Abracadabra,” earning them a score of 10/20. 

Performing next was actress Danielle Fishel and her partner Pasha Pashkov. They danced the Tango to the song “Stronger” by Kelly Clarkson, earning a score of 12/20. 

Spending most of her time flying through the air was social media influencer and reality tv star Jenn Affleck and her partner, making his debut as a pro, Jan Ravnik. They danced a Salsa to the song “NUEVAYoL” by Bad Bunny, receiving a score of 12/20. 

Gliding across the floor was actor Corey Feldman and his partner, two-time champion, Jenna Johnson. They performed a Tango to the song “It’s Still Rock & Roll To Me” by Billy Joel, earning them a score of 9/20. Last year, Jenna Johnson and her partner Joey Graziadei landed first place and took home the mirrorball trophy. 

Performing after was singer and songwriter Lauren Jauregui and her partner Brandon Armstrong. They danced a Tango to Ariana Grand’s song “yes, and?,” getting them a score of 13/20. 

On the floor next was actor, comedian and writer Andy Richter and his partner, one-time mirrorball winner, Emma Slater. They danced the Cha Cha to the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” by Sam and Dave, receiving a score of 9/20. 

Shocking everyone with their amazing performance was host and author Hilaria Baldwin and her partner Gleb Savchenko. They danced the Cha-Cha to the song “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez, earning a score of 14/20. 

Last but certainly not least was wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and his partner, one-time mirrorball winner, Whitney Carson. They performed a Jive to the song “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf and earned a score of 15/20, tying them for first place.  

“I think Robert Irwin and Whitney Carson are going to win,” eighth grader Fallon Oleary said. “I feel like they had a lot of energy and their dance was pretty clean.” 

The next episode of Dancing with the Stars will be released Tuesday, Sept. 23 on ABC. Stars and pros will be creating dances to the theme of One-Hit Wonders next; fans are excited to see what they have in store for us.