Dancing with the Stars premiere gears up for night 2 after voting chaos and first elimination — live updates
Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars is officially underway, with the second part of the two-night premiere just hours away.
The season got off to a rocky start when technical difficulties forced ABC to disregard all votes cast online during night one of the premiere. Only text message votes were counted.
Despite the glitch, the season’s first elimination went ahead as planned. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Conner Leavitt and new pro dancer Adele Zaikman were sent packing after receiving one of the lowest scores from the judges and not enough viewer votes.
Scores from returning judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli were encouraging, if on the lower side. But co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro did remind viewers that the judges tend to score dances low at first so the pairs have room to grow throughout the season.
The standout performances of night one belonged to Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, who scored a 20 out of 30 on a moving tango to “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson, and Grey’s Anatomy star Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, who later received the top score of the night with a 21 out of 30 for their cha-cha to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
Tonight, the women and their respective partners take the ballroom floor for the first time! The action kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with streaming available the next day on Hulu.
DWTS premiere night two just hours away
After last night’s competition kickoff and first elimination, DWTS returns for the second part of its Season 35 premiere!
The women and their respective pro partners will take the ballroom by storm tonight. They’re following the same musical theme as the men during night one, dancing to a song that topped the charts from the year they were born!
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 20:00
Harry and Jenna received the top score of the night!
The Glee alum and his pro partner danced a cha-cha to “Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire to close out the first night of season 35.
“The chemistry between you two is off-the-charts,” Bruno said afterward.
“You are so electric when you perform,” Carrie Ann said. “You gotta watch where your weight is. That’s gonna be your biggest problem,” she said. “Well done!”
Derek “really enjoyed” their routine, saying only that!
The duo received a 21 out of 30 for the highest score of the night!
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 13:02
Taylor and Britt's score
The Hanson singer and his pro partner danced a quickstep to “Tell Her About It” by Billy Joel.
Derek immediately called out Taylor’s “good save,” and added, “you should be really happy man.”
“That was a proper, real quickstep,” Bruno exclaimed. “It is the hardest dance to do. You conquered it very well.”
Carrie Ann said that every once in a while she hears late judge Len Goodman in her head, and she did on this occasion, echoing Bruno in that the routine was a “perfect quickstep.”
The duo received a 16 out of 30 from the judges!
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 12:01
Connor and Rylee's critiques
For their first dance, Connor and Rylee performed a cha-cha to “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw.
“I was pleasantly surprised by that dance,” Carrie Ann said, saying there was a “sweetness and softness” to how Connor dances. “There was no ick in that dance at all.”
Derek said the pair are like “a double dose of dopamine. So charismatic. Your timing was actually pretty good for the most part.”
Bruno added that the two have “a wonderful thing going on there.”
Connor and Rylee scored a 16 out of 30.
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 11:01
Judges celebrate Ezra and Daniella
“So strong. So focused. So in control. You really look like a leading man,” Bruno said of their tango to “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson. “You were actually leading the dance all the way through.”
“This is what’s so special about our show. Showing people what’s possible in the face of adversity,” Carrie Ann said. “That was unbelievable. I am in awe.”
“Seeing you, it’s very emotional. It really is. Your frame was fantastic,” Derek said. “Moving forward, it’s discovering what is possible.”
The pair scored a 20 out of 30 - the second-highest score of the night!
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 10:01
Judges encourage Guillermo and Witney before delivering low score
Guillermo and Witney performed a cha-cha to “Mr. Big Stuff” by Jean Knight.
Derek blatantly said the technique wasn’t there but said it was “well done.”
Bruno said no one would ever forget it. “It will go viral. Technique can only get better,” he said.
Carrie Ann said it was “super entertaining.”
The judges awarded the pair a 10 out of 30.
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 09:03
The judges did not like Conner and Adele’s salsa
“That was fun and I love your enthusiasm, but it was a bit chaotic,” Carrie Ann Inaba said. “It all needs to work together.”
Derek Hough called it “goofy” and “playful” but said there wasn’t enough salsa. “Your performance quality is off the charts,” he continued adding, “hopefully you’re here next week.”
“Rhythm is the key of all Latin dances,” Bruno Tonioli said. “The hips, darling, don’t lie. So I want to see that.”
The pair was awarded a 12 out of a possible 30. Ultimately, they were sent home at the end of the episode.
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 08:04
Judge's comments on Tyler and Sharna
“I’m very pleasantly surprised,” Bruno Tonioli said of the pair’s tango to “Are You Gonna Go My Way” by Lenny Kravitz. “You can move it. You have natural musicality,” he continued, adding that Tyler has so much potential.
“Your foot came off the ground,” Carrie Ann Inaba said. “Lifts are still a thing!” she continued, earning the first boos of the season from the audience.
After offering a few points and technical aspects to work on, Derek Hough said, “you’re gonna be fantastic.”
The judges awarded the couple a 17 out of 30.
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 06:33
Jackson and Emma's score
Jackson and Emma scored a 15 out of 30 for their cha-cha to “Wannabe” by Spice Girls.
The pair seemed disappointed, as did the audience. There were whispers and murmurs - and minimal applause.
Still, they were safe from elimination thanks to viewers at home.
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 05:01
Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were sent packing, though they weren’t last on the leaderboard heading into the elimination:
- Harry and Jenna: 21
- Ezra and Daniella: 20
- Tyler and Sharna: 17
- Taylor and Britt: 16
- Connor and Rylee: 16
- Jackson and Emma: 15
- Conner and Adele: 12
- Guillermo and Witney: 10
The judges’ scores started low and increased as the night went on, as per usual.
Aside from the scores and critiques, ABC’s online voting glitched, resulting in only text message votes being counted for tonight’s elimination.
The Season 35 premiere continues Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET!
Caitlin Hornik16 September 2026 04:02
Originally published by independent.co.uk. Syndicated material does not necessarily reflect the views of Grazia British.
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