The ballroom is now open! “Dancing With the Stars” (DWTS) season 33 premiered on Sept. 17, introducing 13 celebrities fighting for the “Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.”
DWTS consists of professional dancers who are coupled with a celebrity, or “star.” Through weeks of competing and learning new dances, couples are eliminated while others continue into the finale. The judges are the same as the previous year: Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, all professional choreographers and dancers. The hosts are the same as last year: Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, both previous talent on the show.
The episode started with a big group dance number featuring the pro dancers, which led to the competition, the theme being “personal anthems.” Starting with one of America’s most recent heartthrobs, “The Bachelors,” Joey Graziadei and his partner, Jenna Johnson, who wowed the audience with a cha-cha to “Dancin’In the Country,” by Tyler Hubbard. He had social media swooning! The couple received a 21/30, the first score of the night.
The next star was Brooks Nader, a model who has appeared in Sports Illustrated magazine several times. Her partner, Gleb Savchenko, put together a tango to “Piece of Me,” by Britney Spears. Their chemistry has fans speculating on a possible “showmance” between the two. They received an 18/30 score.
After winning a bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Ilona Maher steps off the pitch and onto the ballroom stage. The rugby player, partnered with Alan Bersten, did a cha-cha to “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by Shania Twain. The fan favorite also earned an 18/30 which is sure to only improve as her confidence strengthens.
One of America’s favorite dads, Reginald VelJohnson from “Family Matters,” took the stage and won over the hearts of many with his precious smile and good attitude. His partner, Emma Slater, put together a simple salsa to Boyz II Men’s hit “Motownphilly.” This dance had very little movement, leaving several critiques from the judges and only a 16/30 overall.
NFL wide receiver, Danny Amendola danced with Witney Carson, who has just rejoined the show after being off for a season. They danced the tango to “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” by Shaboozey. The two-time Super Bowl Champion pleasantly surprised the judges by executing the dance well leading to a score of 20/30.
A star from the 90s hit show, “Beverly Hills, 90210,” Tori Spelling, appeared this season. Although you might know her as Donna Martin! Her partner is Pasha Pashkov, who choreographed a foxtrot to Spelling’s anthem, “TRUSTFALL,” by Pink. Judge Carrie Ann was inspired by this piece, encouraging Spelling to be her true self. This foxtrot ended with a 17/30.
After casting calls were already made, the producers made a special exception, welcoming, “The Bachelorette,” Jenn Tran. The day after her brutal finale Tran flew to join her partner, Sasha Farber. They danced a cha-cha to “Flowers,” by Miley Cyrus, which got her a 19/30, despite her stage fright.
This season’s youngest star is 24-year-old Disney Channel’s “Zombies,” actress Chandler Kinney. Her partner, Brandon Armstrong, created a tango to Chappell Roan’s hit song, “HOT TO GO!” Kinney’s dancing background gave her the upper hand, leaving her at the top of the leaderboard with a 23/30.
Los Angeles Lakers player, Dwight Howard made his dancing debut. The 6’10” NBA star is dancing with 5’3” pro, Daniella Karagach. Karagach used their height difference to her advantage, in their salsa to “This Is How We Do It,” by Montell Jordan. The duo earned a 22/30, leaving them in second place.
The next dancer is credited in over 700 films and shows, Oscar and Golden Globe nominee, Eric Roberts. Roberts announced that he was supposed to be on the show 19 years ago but had scheduling conflicts and then was in a life-changing accident, leaving him in a coma. Due to the coma, his movement is limited leaving him and Britt Stewart’s cha-cha to “Old Time Rock & Roll,” by Bob Seger in last place with a 15/30.
Phaedra Parks, lawyer and businesswoman from “The Real Housewives of Atlanta,” is partnered with last season’s winner, Val Chmerkovskiy, who put together a high-spirited cha-cha to “I’m Every Woman,” by Whitney Houston. Their score ended up being 19/30.
The Olympics’ very own Clark Kent, Stephen Nedoroscik, performed a revelating jive to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” with his partner, 19-year-old, Rylee Arnold. Their show-stopping number showcased many of Nedoroscik’s pummel horse skills, earning them much praise and a 21/30 from the judges. The score they got on their very first dance is the same as Arnold and Harry Jowsey’s best score from last season. Arnold fans are ecstatic she is finally dancing with someone who will not do her wrong like Jowsey did last winter.
The last contestant, and by far the most controversial, is Anna Delvey. Delvey is a convicted con artist who is still on house arrest; however, she got special permission to leave for the show. Her partner is the newest pro dancer, Ezra Sosa. For those wondering, Delvey will be wearing an ankle monitor the entire time and she does not care what others think of her. Fans are realizing that she is the least excited to be on the show, especially after stating she is happy she “doesn’t have to do that dance again,” when interviewed by Julianne Hough after scoring an 18/30. Many people have taken to TikTok to express how sorry they feel for Sosa, being coupled up with such a dud for his first season.
Kinney, Howard, Graziadei, and Nedoroscik held the top places at the end of the night! Catch the episodes every Tuesday on Disney+ or Hulu!
