The new season of Dancing with the Stars is officially underway — and the contestants are already setting a high barre.
Tuesday night marked the premiere of season 32, which aired as planned despite recent questions about strike rules, live on both ABC and Disney+.
The evening kicked off with a dance by the pros to “Levitating” by Dua Lipa, and new host Julianne Hough joined her returning co-host Alfonso Ribeiro.
Judges Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba were also welcomed back with cheers, though noticeably missing was beloved head judge Len Goodman, who retired at the end of season 31 last year before his death from bone cancer at age 78 in April.
The show honored Goodman on its first night by announcing that they renamed and redesigned their ultimate prize as the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, and then, the dancing began.
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Xochitl Gomez is the youngest competitor this season at just 17 years old, and said she was inspired by Val’s previous work dancing with Zendaya on season 16.
“She’s a bundle of energy” Val said of his Marvel star partner before the two danced the cha cha for their first dance.
“You’re like a wild stallion out there!” Carrie Ann declared afterwards. “We need to bring it just a little more in, but way to start the season.”
“It feels great!” Xochitl said after her dance, as Val added, “It’s all relative to get out there in front of millions of people for the first time. it’s a huge accomplishment in itself.”
Score: 18/30
Barry Williams and Peta Murgatroyd
Barry, best known for playing Greg Brady on The Brady Bunch, said he’s been waiting 17 years to dance in this ballroom: “I’ve been performing my whole life!”
“I’m coming after you, Donny!” he later said of his pal Donny Osmond who reigns as the oldest DWTS winner — and who was still some two decades younger at 51 when he was crowned than how old Barry is right now.
“Barry is a showman. I think he could become the oldest winner of Dancing with the Stars,” Peta said of her partner, with whom she danced the foxtrot.
“Good job babe! Good job!” an elated Peta could be seen mouthing to the actor at the end of their performance.
“I’m kind of in shock! That was so effortless and so easy to watch,” Derek said to Barry. “That warmed my heart.”
“I am thoroughly impressed by you and not just because you winked at me!” Carrie Ann said. “You know how to perform to this audience.”
Score: 16/30
Tyson Beckford and Jenna Johnson
Tyson was hopeful that his experience as a Chippendales dancer would help him in the ballroom.
“Ballroom dance is not stuff you get in the hood!” the model said. “You gonna get a whiff of this chocolate!”
After dancing the cha cha with Jenna, Bruno couldn’t help but admit: “You’re teasing me, sir, with all those chippendale bits!”
But, he still had some criticism to offer. “You lost timing at times. Work on the technique,” Bruno added.
“Dancing is everything between the posing” Carrie Ann echoed, referring to Tyson’s background in modeling. “I see a lot of potential.”
Following the tough feedback, Julianne reminded Tyson how “it’s week one” and gave props to his split and moonwalk. “I’m gonna get better! I know it,” Tyson vowed to Julianne.
Score: 12/30
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Sasha was thrilled to have the hilarious American Pie actress as his partner. “Having Alyson is already a win for me,” he said in their intro package.
Alyson also shared that she’s doing the show in honor of her inner “three year old” who tried dancing once, and after a poor experience with a mean teacher, never went back.
Still, Alyson met the whole situation with humor. “Anything I’m struggling with? Yes, dancing,” she quipped in her package before she and Sasha danced the salsa.
Carrie Ann commended Alyson for taking this step. “Okay, look, life is a constant journey of healing, and I’m so proud of you because you did it! Now we need to tap into all the rest.”
She noted that she wants Alyson to tap into her “sensualness” and “inner woman,” to which Alyson joked, “Are you talking to me or Sasha?”
In the sky box with Julianne, Alyson gushed over her partner. “I’ve got the best coach ever!” she said, to which Sasha responded, “She’s family already.”
Score: 13/30
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold
Despite their height difference, these two were thrilled to step into the ballroom together — for very different reasons.
“People perceive me as a bit of a player,” Too Hot To Handle star Harry said of wanting to change his image while on the show.
Meanwhile, first-time pro Rylee, who is the younger sister of DWTS alum and champ Lindsay Arnold,was excited to make her debut as a pro on the DWTS stage (with her big sis in the audience cheering her on!)
“Riley, welcome to the show! That ending was powerful,” Derek said to the 18-year-old dancer following their cha cha.
As for Harry? “I’m not gonna lie, it was a little scary,” Derek told the Netflix reality star. “I just feel that it was timid.”
“Harry, my man you think like me. When in doubt, get your chest out!” Bruno joked before stressing how Harry has a lot of room for improvement.
Carrie Ann agreed, though she noted how Harry visibly changed (no pun intended) about halfway through the performance. “He became a different guy out there, right!” she said of watching him rip his shirt open mid-dance.
After dancing with Rylee, Harry said: “Honestly, this has been the scariest most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
“I just wanted to test myself. And one day when I get married, I just want to be able to dance with my wife on our wedding night,” he added.
Score: 12/30
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Jason grew up with a love for performance, but ultimately decided not to pursue musical theatre in school because he didn’t feel talented enough. Instead, he started singing in places where he knew he could, like coffee shops.
He and Daniella danced a disco-themed cha cha to Mraz’s own song, aptly titled “I Feel Like Dancing,” and they wowed the judges.
“He’s a dancer!” Bruno proclaimed, as Carrie Ann added, “So far, that’s the best dance of the night!”
Answering Julianne’s question in the skybox afterwards about whether or not he ever imagined he’d be dancing to his own song, Jason said, “Never in my life.”
“You have to be careful what you say to the universe!” he noted with a laugh.
Score: 21/30
Jamie Lynn Spears and Alan Bersten
The Zoey 101 star shared in her video package before the dance that she’s doing the show to inspire her daughters not to be afraid to fail.
Jamie Lynn seemed convinced she wouldn’t be a talent on the dance floor, but her tango to Mabel’s “Don’t Call Me Up” with Alan proved otherwise.
“First of all, you’re beautiful. When you smile, you lit up the room,” Carrie Ann said after their performance, though she did advise Jamie Lynn to “steer away from using force” when she dances.
Derek declared that Jamie Lynn is too hard on herself. “I think you’re better than you think you are,” he said.
As for constructive criticism from Bruno? “Get the ground to give you the power!” he stressed.
And, when Julianne asked Jamie Lynn what she thought of Derek’s comment, the actress recognized a through-line.
“I think that goes right on theme with my whole life. I’m always my worst enemy,” she admitted.
Score: 15/30
Adrian Peterson and Britt Stewart
The NFL pro considered himself “extremely competitive” in the pre-performance package, noting that “it’s time for me to represent runningbacks!”
For his partner Britt, however, his football training was proving to be a challenge. “I need to get him out of that football posture and mindset,” she explained.
“The next thing I’ll be touching down is the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy,” Adrian vowed before the two danced the salsa to “Yeah!” by Usher.
Following their performance, Derek said, “That opening lift took me off guard. That was smart on you, Britt.” He then added, “It was a little too hard, not enough rhythm, but great first dance!”
“I love that fact that you go for it with total commitment,” Bruno pointed out, though he believed that Adrian could still “loosen up.”
In the skybox with Julianne, Adrian said he’s doing his best to balance dance training with another new role he’s taken on: fatherhood.
“I’m making it work. She’s a good babe!” he said of his newborn daughter.
Score: 18/30
Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong
Prior to taking the dance floor, the YouTuber reflected on her own musical roots.
“I think I have the rhythm because of my family” Lele said of her Latin heritage, though she “stressed” that her grandmother, a big fan of the show, was watching.
Lele and partner Brandon danced a spicy tango to “El Tango de Roxanne” from Moulin Rouge — Bruno’s favorite.
“She was on fire!” he said of Lele afterwards. “Roxanne, my favorite tango. I loved the way you attacked it.”
Bruno also advised Lele not to “wobble” on her turns, which Derek echoed. Meanwhile, Carrie Ann praised Lele’s biggest fan.
“Your grandmother must be so proud. You are a powerful woman on that dance floor,” she said.
Score: 19/30
Mira Sorvino and Gleb Savchenko
The actress opened up about her excitement for being on the show and being able to chase dancing as a creative pursuit at this point in her life, saying, “ Dancing with the Stars feels like a second chance to dance on a world stage!”
Though she was a hesitant at first, Mira got glowing reviews from the judges after dancing the cha cha to classic Prince song “Kiss” with partner Gleb.
“All I could think of was Len would’ve loved that,” Carrie Ann said. “You are a great dancer!”
Derek agreed that the performance was a “breath of fresh air to watch,” though said he could “see Mira thinking,” and he suggested she trust her own abilities more.
“Mira, you’ve got it!” Bruno echoed. “Leave every doubt at home. You’re a great actress, and you’re a great dancer.”
Score: 17/30
Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater
Before taking the stage, real estate mogul Mauricio spoke about his career and personal life.
“Consider the mirrorball in escrow” said Mauricio, who is married to The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Kyle Richards, who was in the audience.
“We’ve been going through a rough year,” Mauricio noted in his video package, adding that he’s “really hoping Dancing with the Stars will get my mind off of it and have some fun.”
Mauricio and his partner Emma danced the jive, which Julianne noted after is one of the “hardest” dances.
“That reminded me of my dad dancing at my wedding. But he was rippin’ it!” Derek said of the performance, assuring Mauricio that the comment was a compliment.
Bruno also enjoyed the performance, but of course, had a word of advice, too. “You know how to sell things, don’t you!” he quipped. But, “kicks and flicks have to be much sharper,” he said.
As for Carrie Ann, she was impressed “because that dance was not what I expected from you. It takes courage. But I’d like to see a salsa!”
Score: 15/30
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Former Bachelorette Charity found love on a reality show, and now, she’s already finding success on Dancing with the Stars.
Charity danced the tango with partner Artem to Rihanna’s “Only Girl in the World,” and as Bruno proclaimed immediately after their performance: “That was a tango stunner!”
Carrie Ann and Derek agreed. In fact, Carrie Ann was practically speechless, nearly cursing in excitement on air. “What week is it?!” she said with a laugh as Charity’s fiancé, Dotun Olubeko, beamed with pride in the audience.
“Exquisite,” Derek said of the tango that earned the pair the highest score of the night.
Score: 22/30
Matt Walsh and Koko Iwasaki
Joking about his involvement on the show, Matt said, “You don’t normally see comedians doing sexy dances.”
Partnered with Koko, the two danced the cha cha to a hazardous-waste themed “Poison,” and by the end, had Carrie Ann singing along.
“That dance was different!” she said in tune with the song.
Derek, meanwhile, admitted he was was “mesmerized,” even if Matt wasn’t an expert dancer.
“I forgot to watch the dancing. Great strategy!” he joked. Bruno agreed that the performance was “entertaining.”
Score: 12/30
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
The Vanderpump Rules star got straight to the point in her intro package. “My life has been a rollercoaster this past year,” she admitted. “My life blew up on television.”
As fans know, Madix was blindsided earlier this year when it was revealed that her longtime boyfriend Tom Sandoval had been in a months-long affair with their costar Rachel “Raquel” Leviss. The affair ended their nine-year relationship and sent shockwaves through the world of reality TV, ultimately becoming dubbed #Scandoval.
But, Ariana wanted the world to know that the “scandal does not define me.”
Dressed in a red outfit reminiscent of her famous “revenge dress,” she danced the tango to Hailee Steinfeld’s “I Love Me” with partner Pasha, and, on theme with the song, the judges loved it.
“Ariana that was fantastic! The power. That was killer,” Derek said, praising her strong start for only a first dance.
Bruno called Ariana “red hot” and “unbelievable,” and his only critique was to watch her “wobble” on turns. Carrie Ann sang Madix’s praises, too — especially as a fellow female.
“As a woman, cheaters suck, but you just showed anybody who is watching how you handle a cheater!” she said.
Score: 21/30
Julianne and Alfonso then relayed how the voting played out, though they stressed it was in no particular order with Jamie Lynn and Alan, Harry and Rylee, Adrian and Britt, Barry and Peta and Mira and Gleb claiming the first five safe spots.
Following them was Charity and Artem, Ariana and Pasha, Jason and Daniella, Xochitl and Val, Lele and Brandon and Alyson and Sasha, all of whom moved on to next week.
Tyson and Jenna were the final pairing to be safe, before it came down to Mauricio and Emma and Matt and Koko in the bottom two.
Ultimately, Matt and Koko were sent home in week one after combining the judges votes with fan votes throughout the show.
Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC and Disney+.
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