A High-Stakes Ballroom Debut
The intensity in the ballroom reached new heights as the female celebrities of Dancing With the Stars season 35 showcased their routines. The two-part premiere event on ABC wrapped up this Wednesday, September 16, with contestants performing to Billboard No. 1 hits from the years they were born.
Following the pattern set during the first night of competition, the judging panel maintained a rigorous standard, offering candid critiques and demanding high-quality performances. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba set the tone early in the broadcast, stating:
«We’re all very excited to see what this cast can do, but we also want to leave room for growth, so remember that as the scores come out. We want you to earn every point of those scores.»
Standouts and Struggles on the Dance Floor
The leaderboard reflected a wide gap in performance levels. Maura Higgins and her partner Mark Ballas delivered a standout routine that captivated the judges, earning one of the evening's top scores. In contrast, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong faced a more difficult reception, as their foxtrot performance landed them near the bottom of the rankings.
The First Elimination of the Season
As the night drew to a close, hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro delivered the results of the public vote combined with the judges' scores. The announcement confirmed that Sarah Jane Nader and her professional partner, Hailey Bills, were the first couple to be eliminated from the competition.
Fans can continue to follow the journey of the remaining contestants as Dancing With the Stars continues to air on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.