The glittering ballroom is back, and so is the drama. Dancing With the Stars launched its 34th season on Tuesday, September 16, with a brand-new lineup of celebrities ready to face the music — and the judges. The opening night was packed with emotional backstories, sharp performances, and even a scoring mishap that left fans buzzing.
The star-studded cast includes Hilaria Baldwin, Danielle Fishel, Alix Earle, Andy Richter, Elaine Hendrix, Jordan Chiles, Baron Davis, Dylan Efron, Corey Feldman, Scott Hoying, Robert Irwin, Lauren Jauregui, Jen Affleck, and Whitney Leavitt. The familiar duo Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough returned as hosts, while judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli took their seats. Carrie Ann Inaba, however, was missing due to illness, leaving her chair empty on premiere night.
And while the night opened with glittering smiles, the tension quickly built as each celebrity tried to prove they deserved a spot in the competition.
Robert Irwin Delivers a Family Legacy Moment
The most talked-about performance of the night came from Robert Irwin, who has lived much of his young life under the shadow of his late father, Steve Irwin. Stepping into the ballroom with partner Witney Carson, Robert confessed, “Crocs are my comfort zone, dancing is not.” But once the music kicked in, nerves gave way to rhythm.
The pair danced to Born to Be Wild, and the judges were floored. Bruno jumped to his feet, praising their synchronicity. Derek, who had once won the mirrorball with Robert’s sister Bindi, was moved and declared, “The best first dance I’ve ever seen on this show.” The room erupted, and Robert left the floor tied for the top score of the night with 15 out of 20 points. Fans online quickly hailed him as the season’s frontrunner, praising the way he honored his family while carving his own path.
Hilaria Baldwin Finds Her Way Back to Dance
Hilaria Baldwin’s night carried a different kind of emotion. Years after breaking her hip and saying goodbye to dance, she finally got her second chance. With husband Alec Baldwin cheering her on from rehearsals, she admitted the process was grueling but insisted, “Dance feeds my soul.”
Her Cha Cha with partner Gleb Savchenko, set to Jennifer Lopez’s Let’s Get Loud, impressed the judges. Derek called it sharp and precise, while Bruno praised her ability to make the dance feel like a “conversation.” With her seven children in the audience, Hilaria held back tears, telling Julianne Hough, “It’s just a dream come true.” She earned a solid 14/20, proving she’s a serious contender.
Whitney Leavitt Caught in Score Drama
Whitney Leavitt’s debut with Mark Ballas sparked the night’s most surprising twist. After their Tango to Golden from K-Pop Demon Hunters, Bruno initially flashed a score of 7, while Julianne mistakenly announced an 8, bumping the total to 15 instead of 14. The mistake was quickly corrected, but not before confusion rippled through the ballroom — and fans online had a field day accusing producers of “favoritism” and calling the mix-up “messy.”
Still, Whitney’s performance was polished enough to keep her tied at the top of the leaderboard.
Stars Who Struggled but Won Hearts
Not everyone found their rhythm. Comedian Andy Richter joked about “peacocking” his way through rehearsals and promised not to take himself too seriously. His Cha Cha scored just 9, but Derek told him the entire ballroom was rooting for him. Fans seemed to agree, flooding social media with support and admiring his willingness to laugh at himself.
Corey Feldman, meanwhile, leaned on his decades in show business but admitted scoliosis made dancing difficult. His Tango brought nostalgia and energy, but technical flaws held his score to 9. Even so, he called the experience “a gift,” saying it helped him work on long-standing health issues.
Gymnast Jordan Chiles faced sky-high expectations from fans who remembered teammate Simone Biles’ run on the show. Though her Beyoncé-inspired routine was full of flips and tricks, she struggled with ballroom technique, landing at 10/20.
Lauren Jauregui and Alix Earle Step Into the Spotlight
Former Fifth Harmony star Lauren Jauregui wowed with a sophisticated Tango, earning 13/20 and glowing reviews from Derek, who told her, “You put us on notice tonight.” Fans celebrated her as the season’s sleeper threat.
Alix Earle, the social media influencer who admitted she wanted to show her competitive side, dazzled with a Britney Spears–themed Cha Cha. Derek praised her sharpness and power, while Bruno encouraged her to focus on connection. She also scored 13/20, leaving the audience curious to see how far her determination will take her.
A Night of High Energy and Higher Stakes
By the end of the evening, Alfonso and Julianne confirmed there would be no eliminations in week one. But that relief was short-lived: next week, the pressure doubles with a double elimination. Fans already expressed outrage online, calling it “cruel” to send two stars home so early.
Producers, however, revealed the premiere had double the votes of last year’s opener — a clear sign that audiences are invested. With emotions running high and the leaderboard already tight, season 34 is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable yet.
From Robert Irwin’s heartfelt family tribute to Whitney Leavitt’s scorecard blunder, the opening night gave fans everything they wanted: glitz, nerves, triumphs, and just enough chaos to keep everyone talking.
