By: Jewel Dickerman
The ballroom lights are back, the sequins are brighter than ever, and Dancing with the Stars has returned with a cast full of surprises. The first two episodes gave us everything we hoped for—shaky nerves, shocking eliminations, and more glitter than a craft store explosion. Let’s take a closer look at how the season has kicked off.
The premiere episode on September 23rd set the tone in a big way. With no eliminations on opening night, the pressure was less about survival and more about making a first impression. Some stars tiptoed onto the dance floor with nerves showing, while others seemed born for the stage. Robert Irwin, dancing with Witney Carson, was a standout from the start. His tango surprised both the judges and the audience—powerful, precise, and full of charisma.
On the other side of the scoreboard, some pairs clearly struggled to find rhythm, but even the weaker dances felt celebratory. There’s always something magical about the premiere: you can see the raw excitement, the “oh-my-gosh-I’m-actually-doing-this” look in the celebrities’ eyes, and the proud determination in the pros as they guide their partners through their first real test.
Of course, the night wouldn’t have been complete without a little sparkle from Alix Earle, who charmed viewers with her playful energy. While her technique still has room to grow, her jive was packed with personality and showed promise for the weeks to come. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas also established themselves as ones to watch, lighting up the stage with a funky, well-executed routine that had the judges grinning. By the end of the premiere, one thing was clear: this cast is fun, diverse, and unpredictable. Even though no one was sent home, the seeds were planted for rivalries, fan favorites, and plenty of social media debates.
If the first episode was all glitter and celebration, the second was where reality hit. Titled One-Hit Wonders Night, the theme brought a playlist of songs everyone knew—and dances that weren’t as easy as they looked. This time, the judges expected more polish, more technique, and more fire. With Carrie Ann Inaba returning to the panel after missing the premiere, the scoring felt more precise, and suddenly, the pressure was on.
Robert and Witney once again brought down the house, delivering a tango that was dramatic, sharp, and confident. It cemented Robert as an early frontrunner, with the judges rewarding him with one of the highest scores of the evening. Whitney and Mark kept their momentum too, matching Robert’s intensity and reminding the audience that the competition was already heating up.
Alix Earle continued to shine with her jive to “Mambo No. 5,” proving she’s not just a social media star but a real contender. Even with some technical flaws, her energy was infectious, and the crowd couldn’t help but cheer her on. Meanwhile, Danielle Fishel pushed through a painful-looking leg bruise to perform, showing the kind of grit and determination that makes this show so compelling.
But then came the heartbreak. After combining scores and viewer votes, the bottom three were announced: Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson, Baron Davis and Britt Stewart, and Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko. In a twist that left fans buzzing online, Corey and Baron were both eliminated in a double cut. Many viewers weren’t ready to say goodbye to Baron, who showed a lot of passion, but in true DWTS fashion, the competition can be as unpredictable as it is dazzling.
Together, these first two episodes painted the perfect picture of why people love this show. It’s part fairy tale, part pressure cooker. The premiere gave us joy, laughter, and sparkle, while the second episode brought the drama, the heartbreak, and the realization that the Mirrorball Trophy won’t be handed out without a fight. With favorites already emerging and plenty of room for underdogs to rise, this season is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining yet.
So, grab your glitter spray and settle in—the ballroom battles have only just begun.
