Recap of the Season 33 Premiere of Dancing with the Stars

The highly anticipated *Dancing With the Stars* (DWTS) season 33 kicked off on September 17, 2024. The inaugural episode featured a blend of new contestants and familiar professional dancers, all competing for the prestigious Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Hosted by Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro, the show paired celebrities with expert dancers for weekly competitions in various dance styles. Season 33’s judges—Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli—returned to offer critiques and insights throughout the performances.

So, how did the premiere unfold? From the moment the contestants stepped onto the ballroom floor, it was evident that season 33 promised an exhilarating display of talent and energy, setting the stage for an intense season of *Dancing with the Stars*.

Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Premiere Night Overview

Dancing with the Stars season 33 judges (Image via Instagram/@dancingwiththestars)

The format for the *Dancing With the Stars* premiere night deviated slightly from previous seasons, as there were no eliminations, allowing viewers a complete introduction to the new cast. This non-elimination episode allowed celebrities to perform dances that held personal significance, showcasing their initial skills and setting the tone for the weeks to come.

Standout performances by Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik, former basketball star Dwight Howard, and actor Chandler Kinney captured the judges’ attention during DWTS’s opening night.

Competitive and Notable Performances

The celebrity competitors brought a variety of dance styles to the floor, paired with their professional partners. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson kicked things off with an energetic Cha-Cha-Cha to *Dancin’ in the Country* by Tyler Hubbard, earning a score of 21 out of 30.

Supermodel Brooks Nader and her partner Gleb Savchenko performed a sultry Tango to Britney Spears’ *Piece of Me*, receiving a total score of 18, indicating opportunities for improvement.

Meanwhile, Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater’s Salsa to *Motown Philly* by Boyz II Men garnered a score of 16, suggesting additional work was needed. Bruno Tonioli emphasized the importance of incorporating more complex steps in future performances.

Highlights and Bottom Performers

As the night concluded, Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong emerged at the top of the leaderboard with their impressive Tango, scoring 23 out of 30. Close behind were Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach, along with Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, both of whom received commendations from the judges for their strong performances.

At the opposite end, Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart found themselves at the bottom, scoring 15 points.

Full Leaderboard Overview

The scores from the premiere episode provided a clear view of the initial standings:

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong – Tango to *Hot to Go!* by Chappell Roan, 23 out of 30
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach – Salsa to *This Is How We Do It* by Montell Jordan, 22 out of 30
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson – Cha-Cha to *Dancin’ in the Country* by Tyler Hubbard, 21 out of 30
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold – Jive to *Don’t Stop Me Now* by Queen, 21 out of 30
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson – Tango to *A Bar Song (Tipsy)* by Shaboozey, 20 out of 30
Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber – Cha-Cha to *Flowers* by Miley Cyrus, 19 out of 30
Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy – Cha-Cha to *I’m Every Woman* by Whitney Houston, 19 out of 30
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko – Tango to *Piece of Me* by Britney Spears, 18 out of 30
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten – Cha-Cha to *Man! I Feel Like A Woman!* by Shania Twain, 18 out of 30
Anna Delvey and Ezra Sosa – Cha-Cha to *Espresso* by Sabrina Carpenter, 18 out of 30
Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov – Foxtrot to *Trustfall* by Pink, 17 out of 30
Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater – Salsa to *Motown Philly* by Boyz II Men, 16 out of 30
Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart – Cha-Cha to *Old Time Rock & Roll* by Bob Seger, 15 out of 30

Looking forward, the next episode promises a double elimination, raising the stakes and intensifying the competition on *Dancing with the Stars*. As contestants prepare to showcase their talents with music from popular films for Oscars night, anticipation grows for dramatic exits and standout performances to come.

Make sure to tune in on Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+ to keep up with your favorite stars and their professional dance partners on *Dancing with the Stars*.

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