And we’re back! Dancing with the Stars returned this week for its 33rd season. Starting with an opening number featuring all of the season’s pros choreographed by Jamal Sims, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough introduced the duos we’ll be rooting for over the next few months. Olympic icons, reality TV royalty, and Hollywood stars joined the cast this season to create the Season 33 roster.
The Season 33 Cast
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson
Anna Delvey and Ezra Sosa
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold
Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy
Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart
Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov
Jenn Tran and Sasha Faber
Reginald Veljohnson and Emma Slater
Personal Anthems
The first dance challenge of the season asked each star to dance to their personal anthem. These are the songs that the stars feel represent them and make them want to dance! What better way to start off on the right foot than with songs that automatically make them want to hit the dance floor?
Joey and Jenna
With infectious enthusiasm Joey and Jenna took a country spin to the cha cha adding line dancing steps to “Dancing in the Country” by Tyler Hubbard. What a way to kick off Season 33! We’re certainly not mad at Joey’s country cha cha and the obvious ease and effort he brought to the floor. Derek Hough was impressed too, saying that Joey handed out sweet dance moves. Bruno was also on board for Joey’s charming stage presence, and he and Carrie Ann Inago had plenty of hip moving tips for this Mirrorball hopeful.
Total Score: 21
Brooks and Gleb
Returning to dance for the first time since high school, Brooks’ anthen is “Piece of Me” by Britney Spears. This duo’s goal was to create a flirty tango that showed off their partner chemistry early. Bruno saw a lot of potential in Brooks but advised her to work on strengthening her core. Carrie Ann was excited for the firey start to Season 33, but she wanted to see more strength. Derek told her that she had “buckets of potential” that could be brought out with more balance.
Total Score: 18
Ilona and Alan
The first rugby player to dance on DWTS, Ilona shared that she wants to keep her competitive side at bay for this show, but her willingness to train and be critiqued might just send her in that direction as she finds a new outlet for her strength. Dancing to “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by Shania Twain, Ilona and Alan’s cha cha earned them compliments from Carrie and Derek for their comfort and chemistry. Bruno told Ilana “Never be afraid!”
Total Score: 18
Reginald and Emma
Testing his moves as “an old man,” Reginald is bringing the ballroom moves he learned from his parents in the 1950s to the DWTS ballroom in Season 33. He and Emma danced the salsa to “MOTOWNPHILLY” by Boyz II Men. Bruno saw the story telling goals in Reginald’s performance, but he asked him to dance more in the next challenge. Carrie Ann praised Reginald for proving that dancing isn’t just for young people, and wanted to see him continue to do more moves well on the floor.
Total Score: 16
Danny and Witney
As a two-time Super Bowl winner, Danny has plenty of competitive spirit, but dance is outside his comfort zone. Jumping right into the challenge with the tricky tango, Danny and Whitney danced to song of the summer “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey. Bruno said that Danny managed to lead for most of the dance, but he was a little skippy. Carrie Ann complimented his focus and his attempt at ambitious choreography. We hope Danny takes Derek’s advice about framing and character to heart next week!
Total Score: 20
Tori and Pasha
Tori’s anthem is “Trust Fall” by PINK, and to celebrate her favorite song, she took full advantage of the lighting and stage capabilities of DWTS. Carrie Ann saw Tori working to claim the stage and be vulnerable during her foxtrot and encouraged her to do more! Derek advised more consistency in her future dances, and Bruno praised her for being so at east during the dance.
Total Score: 17
Jenn and Sasha
Making a comeback from a major The Bachelorette heartbreak, Jenn has been the center of reality drama. She is on DWTS to show off her indepence and give it her all. Her anthem of the moment is “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus. If there were flowers in the ballroom after their cha cha, they would have been flying at this duo. “Forget about The Bachelorette because you’ve got your perfect match right here with Sasha!” Derek was happy with their first dance. Bruno said their dance had all the quality of the cha cha, and Carrie Ann was definitely entertained.
Total Score:
Chandler and Brandon
“Dance was always my first love.” Chandler said. From dance commercials to Disney ensemble movies like Zombies, Chandler knows how to takde directions for choreography. She and Brandon decided to tango to “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan. “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Bruno lost his jacket in his excitement over this duo’s performance. Carrie Ann followed in his enthusiasm, saying they set the bar for Season 33 so high. “If this is the beginning, I’m scared to see what you have next,” Derek said, giving Chandler a little tango advice to carry her forward.
Total Score: 23
Dwight and Daniella
Salsaing to his anthem “This is How We Do It” by Montell Howard, Daniella taught Dwight how to adapt the dance to his incredible height. Despite their dramatic size difference, this duo matched energy on the dance floor. Carrie Ann had a difficult time saying anything but “What!” in response to this performance, and Derek stuttered his way through is praise as well. Bruno said, “This is what we call a sparkling debut!” This duo has set the expectaiton for hype this season.
Total Score: 22
Eric and Britt
With more than 700 movie and TV show credits, it’s hard to believe this is Eric’s first time on DWTS. They started fast with a cha cha to “Old Time Rock & Roll” by Bob Seger. Derek thanked Eric for gracing the dance floor and bringing nostalgia to his choice of anthem. Both Derek and Bruno gave advice for balancing his moves to bring him up to speed for his next dance, and Carrie Ann praised his star quality durign the whole performance.
Total Score: 15
Phaedra and Val
Being a beginner ballroom dancer did not phase Phaedra. She is determined to master ballroom dancing and add it to her long (long!) list of skills. She and Val brought movement to the dance floor with a cha cha to “I’m Every Woman” by Whitney Houston. Bruno praised Phaedra for having “the fire and spice,” but noted that he did see her start on the wrong foot. Carrie Ann was impressed with Phaedra’s confidence in her moves and Derek matched her fabulous. With some cleaned up footwork, Phaedra could go far!
Total Score: 19
Stephen and Rylee
Matching Rylee’s dance expertise with Stephen’s mathematical mind might just prove to be the perfect match. Dancing the jive to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen, this duo showed off their chemistry and Stephen’s love of the Rubix cube. Carrie Ann loved them, praising Stephen’s athletic ability and encouraging him to match it with technique. Derek noticed some rushing, but liked how enjoyable the performance was. Bruno enthusiastically complimented Stephen for “bouncing off the walls.”
Total Score: 21
Anna and Ezra
The final dance of the night brought two big personalities together. Ezra is known for bringing it all to the dance floor, and Anna has been the center of media speculation (and true crime intrigue). In fact, she and Ezra danced the cha cha to “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter with a third partner, Anna’s ankle monitor! Derek shared that she could be a great dancer, but she needs to pay attention to her steps. Bruno complimented her lines, but wanted her to be more cohesive and fluid. Carrie Ann wanted to see the audience pay more attention to Anna’s dancing than her reputation.
Total Score: 18
The season is officially off to a running start. Chandler was the leadign contestant this week, but there aren’t any premiere eliminations. Next week, DWTS will dive into Hollywood’s best for Oscars Night, and the stars will be up against a double elimination.
