Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars launched on Tuesday with plenty of sparkle, nerves, and unexpected moments on the ballroom floor.
Fans tuned in to see their favorite celebrities take on the challenge, and emotions ran high from the very first performance.
Hilaria Baldwin’s Emotional Debut
Alec Baldwin’s wife, Hilaria Baldwin, opened the season with a heartfelt cha cha alongside her professional partner, Gleb Savchenko.
The mother of seven admitted she found the moment incredibly emotional, especially with her husband and three of their children watching from the audience.
Dancing to Jennifer Lopez’s Let’s Get Loud, Hilaria earned a score of 14 out of 20 from judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, each giving her a 7.
Despite the positive feedback, some fans speculated that she might be the first celebrity eliminated this season.
A Star-Studded Cast Steps Onto the Floor
This season’s lineup includes a mix of actors, influencers, athletes, and musicians such as Corey Feldman, Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, Whitney Leavitt, Jen Affleck, Jordan Chiles, Baron Davis, Elaine Hendrix, Scott Hoying, Dylan Efron, Andy Richter, Danielle Fishel, and Lauren Jauregui.
Each contestant brought their own style and energy, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Bruno Tonioli’s Scoring Mix-Up Causes a Stir
Drama wasn’t limited to the dance floor. Fans quickly noticed a scoring hiccup when Bruno Tonioli mistakenly keyed in an 8 for Whitney Leavitt, despite holding up a paddle with a 7.
The error changed her total score to 15, prompting a flurry of reactions on social media about Bruno’s “messy” judging style.
Host Alfonso Ribeiro clarified the situation, explaining that judges’ scores are locked electronically immediately after the dance, regardless of which number they hold up.
Bruno joked about the incident on air, lightening the mood amid the confusion.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba Misses Premiere
Adding to the surprises, longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba announced just hours before the show that she would miss the premiere due to illness.
The judging table operated with only Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, and performances were scored out of 20 instead of the usual 30.
Inaba shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing her well-wishes for the contestants and promising to return next week.
Fellow professionals and fans flooded her with supportive comments.
Memorable Performances from the Season Premiere
Several celebrities impressed on opening night:
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Corey Feldman, 54, danced a tango with Jenna Johnson but struggled to win over the judges, earning a total of 9 out of 20.
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Influencer Alix Earle, 24, received a 13 out of 20 for her dance with Val Chmerkovskiy.
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Gymnast Jordan Chiles, 24, kicked off the premiere with a salsa alongside Ezra Sosa, scoring 10 out of 20.
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Dylan Efron, 33, performed a cha cha with Daniella Karagach, also receiving a total score of 10.
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Actress Elaine Hendrix, 54, dazzled in a cha cha with Alan Bersten, earning 12 out of 20.
Backstage Tensions and Celebrity Drama
Behind the scenes, producers have faced challenges managing tensions among professional dancers and their celebrity partners.
Reports surfaced of some stars being labeled “lazy,” leaving staff scrambling for replacements and trying to keep the season running smoothly.
One insider described the season as a “s**t show,” highlighting the difficulties of balancing high expectations with last-minute changes.
Ratings and What’s Next
Following a strong Season 33 finale that drew over 6 million live viewers and nearly 8 million after seven days across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, and other platforms, the pressure is on for this new season to match or exceed expectations.
Dancing With the Stars continues to air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, promising more glitter, drama, and unforgettable dance moments.