Dancing with the Stars returned this week for Season 31 with 16 celebrity/pro dancer pairings. This premiere episode was the first live show to stream on Disney+, DWTS new home after it moved from ABC. Along with a new format and platform, the show also introduced live voting that will impact who goes home at the end of the night.

The “premiere party” started with the contestants performing to a song that put them in a party mood. But first, the show started with an opening number featuring its full cast of professional dancers set to Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” and choreographed by Luam Keflezgy.

Jordin Sparks and Brandon Armstrong

ABC/Eric McCandless

Singer Jordin Sparks was the first to dance this season as she and Brandon Armstrong danced to “Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston in a sparkly cha cha complete with balloon drop. The judges liked this duo’s precision and Jordin’s dancing overall. Many compliments to these dancers for kicking off the season.

Total Score: 26/40

Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke

ABC/Eric McCandless

Good Morning America star and meteorologist, Sam Champion joined Cheryl Burke on the ballroom floor for a foxtrot to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer.” Derek Hough said they were “sweet to watch.” The judges overall wanted to see Sam work on his footwork, but the feedback was still full of compliments (and many, many weather puns)

Total Score: 20/40

Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev

ABC/Eric McCandless

Charli and Dixie D’Amelio’s mom took on the cha cha with her partner Artem Chigvintsev. They danced to “Lady Marmalade” for their party song. With a misstep in the middle of the routine, the judges wanted to see more freedom and character from Heidi, but there was still plenty of enthusiasm for this pairing.

Total Score: 24/40

Daniel Duran and Britt Stewart

ABC/Eric McCandless

Actor Daniel Durant is taking on Dancing with Stars with partner Britt Stewart. Known for bringing representation for the deaf community (along with his stellar acting) to the screen. Now, he’s bringing the representation to the dance floor. Their dance to “Barbara Streisand” by Duck Sauce was a neon number that Carrie Ann called “debonair.” The judges said that he moved well and his framing was nice.

Total Score: 27/40

Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten

ABC/Eric McCandless

Cha cha-ing to “Sweet Home Alabama,” country singer Jessie James Decker and Alan Bersten brought country music to the ballroom. Len and Derek wanted to see better leg action and control from Jessie. Overall, they wanted to see her taking on the styles more carefully.

Total Score: 20/40

Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov

ABC/Eric McCandless

RealityTV is coming to the ballroom as Teresa Giudice and Pasha Pashkov tangoed to Rihanna’s “We Found Love,” sneaking some Real Housewives references in along the way. Bruno wanted to see more intention and passion in the dance, not just the skit and setup.

Total Score: 20/40

Wayne Brady and Witney Carson

ABC/Eric McCandless

TV and Hamilton star Wayne Brady learned a cha-cha to “Bad Mama Jama” with his partner Witney Carson. A ballroom dance that wasn’t lacking in groove, this cha-cha had Bruno excited, but he didn’t want Wayne’s personal style to drown out the style e was dancing. Carrie Ann wanted to see a little improvement in his footwork as well, but Len called it “the most watchable dance of the night so far.”

Total Score: 29/40

Cheryl Ladd and Louis Van Amstel

ABC/Eric McCandless

Louis Van Amstel returned to the show to dance with Charlie’s Angels star Cheryl Ladd. The party song for this cha-cha was Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.” “Cheryl Ladd has swagger!” Carrie Ann said after this duo danced. Cheryl said she was going to dance her competition under the table, and the judges said she looked like it was almost too easy for her.

Total Score: 21/40

Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki

ABC/Eric McCandless

Jersey Shore star Vinny Guadagnino joined first-time Dancing with the Stars pro Koko Iwasaki for a salsa to “Titi Me Pregunto” by Bad Bunny. Fireworks and glow sticks brought this routine to the Jersey Shore, but Len was disappointed to see that for a club icon, Vinny didn’t bring it for this salsa. Derek called it a great first dance, though.

Total Score: 17/40

Shangela and Gleb Savchenko

ABC/Eric McCandless

Shangela is the first drag entertainer to dance on DWTS, and Gleb Savchenko and Darius Pierce (Shangela’s name out of drag) are the first male duo on the show! These two salsaed to “When I Grow Up” in matching colorful leopard print (Lisa Frank who?). Bruno called their performance “intoxicating” and complimented Shangela for being “totally in command” of this dance.

Total Score: 28/40

Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater

ABC/Eric McCandless

Movie and TV star Trevor Donovan called dancing his “biggest fear,” but he and Emma Slater did the quickstep to “Dancing with Myself.” Their costumes weren’t the only things on fire. While many of the judges were excited to see their performance, Len thought they were completely out of control and wanted them to slow down and do better.

Total Score: 21/40

Gabby Windey and Val Chmerkovskiy

ABC/Eric McCandless

Gabby Windey was getting ready to celebrate this week’s finale of The Bachelorette when she and Val Chmerkovskiy brought jive to the ballroom. Dancing to a jazz cover of Harry Styles’ “As It Was,” Gabby and Val got plenty of love from the judges. Derek even called it “the best dance of the night.”

Total Score: 28/40

Joseph Baena and Daniella Karagach

ABC/Eric McCandless

Fitness influencer Joseph Baena joined DWTS winner Daniella Karagach for a jive to “Pump It.” Joseph definitely put his muscles into this dance. Len liked the energy, but he wanted to see Joseph correcting his feet and pointing his toes. Derek loved the dance though and complimented Joseph’s arm work.

Total Score: 23/40

Jason Lewis and Peta Murgatroyd

ABC/Eric McCandless

Peta Murgatroyd is known for being a Hollywood heartthrob, but now he’s on the ballroom floor with Peta Murgatroyd. Their cha-cha to “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk. Derek told Jason he could improve, and Bruno reminded him not to concentrate so obviously while he performs.

Total Score: 18/40

Selma Blair and Sasha Farber

ABC/Eric McCandless

Movie star Selma Blair was diagnosed with MS in 2019. Her autoimmune disease affects her balance and movement, so she’s dancing with Sasha Farber (who is also her neighbor!) to improve her own abilities and raise awareness. Performing a Viennese waltz to Dave Cook’s “Time of My Life,” these two looked like, as Bruno put it, they were in Frozen 3. Len said he “loved the whole thing.”

Total Score: 28/40

Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas

ABC/Eric McCandless

TikTok star Charli D’Amelio joined two-time DWTS winner Mark Ballas as the final dance of the night. Charli and Mark danced a cha-cha to “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion. “Season 31 just got real hot real quick,” Carrie Ann said after this performance.

Total Score: 32/40

The Results

ABC/Eric McCandless

At the end of the night, Charli and Mark were leading with 32 points while Vinny and Emma were in last place with 17 points. After the live votes were counted, Sam and Cheryl, Jason and Peta, and Theresa and Pasha were in the bottom three, but Sam and Cheryl were saved by their combined voted and judges’ score.

The judges were then tasked with saving either Jason and Peta or Theresa and Pasha. All four judges voted unanimously to save Theresa and Pasha, sending Jason and Peta home.

Next week, Dancing with the Stars returns live on Disney+ for another themed night. Next week, the 15 remaining duos are prepping for “Elvis Night.”

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Veronica Good has been with Showstopper Magazine since 2016. When she isn't keeping you updated on the latest trends, she is at home with her many pets or probably playing The Sims 4. Veronica has a BA in English and an MA in writing from Coastal Carolina University. She is also a writer of fiction and poetry, and her work can be found in Archarios, Tempo, and Scapegoat.