Conner Leavitt bows out after stunning routine; tech glitches vanish

**# Dancing with the Stars Season 35: Women’s Debut Night and First Eliminations**

The second night of ABC’s two‑night launch for *Dancing with the Stars* Season 35 aired Wednesday, marking a historic moment in the show’s long‑running legacy: a full‑length opening episode featuring only female celebrities on the dance floor.

After a triumphant male‑only premiere that saw the program pull in the most viewers in six years, the network decided to extend the launch over two nights, giving fans twice as much choreography and twice as many emotional moments.

The night opened with a brief technical hiccup—an online voting system that had crashed during Tuesday’s live broadcast—only to be restored on time for Wednesday’s performances.

Contestants were paired with their professional partners and asked to deliver a single cha‑cha, the season’s first dance style, which set the stage for an escalating series of challenges.

Conner Leavitt became the first celebrity to exit the competition, and another contestant will be sent home by the end of Wednesday’s show. With a record‑setting premiere that drew viewers from across the country, Season 35 promises to push boundaries in both dance and entertainment.

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## Background & Context

*Dancing with the Stars* debuted in 2005 as a spin‑off of *So You Think You Can Dance*, combining the drama of competition with the of televised dance. Over its 33 seasons, the show has evolved from a simple showcase of ballroom to a cultural phenomenon that influences fashion, music, and even social media trends.

The decision to split the opening over two nights was unprecedented in the franchise’s history; it reflects ABC’s ambition to capitalize on a surge in live‑stream viewership and to give fans an immersive experience that mimics a mini‑concert.

The first night's male‑only showcase achieved an impressive 19.1 million viewers, the highest since season 29. With that success, the network confirmed a back‑to‑back launch to give female stars their moment in the spotlight and to test a new pacing model.

The single cha‑cha format for each couple was deliberately chosen to keep the show tight and maintain audience engagement, while allowing choreographers to build momentum for increasingly complex dances such as jive, tango, and foxtrot in subsequent weeks.

The online voting platform, a staple of *DWTS* since season 14, saw an unexpected crash during Tuesday’s broadcast due to a surge in traffic. By Wednesday, the system was fully operational, allowing fans to influence the outcome once again.

This interactive layer has become a defining feature of the franchise, making viewers feel as if they are part of the narrative.

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## What People Are Saying

### Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik – Jive

Tatyana Ali kicked off the night with a lively jive to “Knock on Wood.” Judge Carrie Ann Inaba remarked that the pair’s start was “a bit rough,” yet she praised their underlying passion. Her 12/30 score reflected early stage nerves but hinted at growth potential.

### Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov – Cha‑Cha

Olympian Amber Glenn delivered a smooth cha‑cha to a Santana track. Derek Hough called her “the ice queen” and noted her “beautiful body awareness.” His 18/30 score balanced admiration with constructive critique, encouraging her to refine finesse.

### Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong – Foxtrot

Reality star Ciara Miller’s foxtrot with Brandon Armstrong was praised by Bruno Tonioli for its “full presence.” The pair earned 15/30, a respectable mid‑tier score that highlighted room for stylistic enhancement.

### Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten – Tango

Chef Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten tackled a tango. Derek Hough expressed a wish for more daring moves but lauded the joy conveyed. Their 16/30 score reflected an honest assessment of safety versus excitement.

### Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa – Quickstep

Actress Julia Stiles danced a quickstep to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” Derek Hough’s playful banter (“Andy Cohen, you can eat it!”) added levity, and the couple received an 18/30.

### Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas – Foxtrot

Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas delivered a seductive foxtrot to “Black Velvet.” Tonioli described their movement as “smooth as silk,” awarding them the highest score of the night, 21/30.

### Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills – Jive

Sarah Jane Nader’s jive with Hailey Bills was described by Inaba as “super hot,” yet the judges noted a lack of synchronization. The duo scored 14/30.

### Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy – Tango

Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy ended the night with a tango that Derek Hough called “a little frantic in places.” Their score was 19/30, showcasing the pair’s energetic chemistry.

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## Fan Reaction & Social Buzz

The live audience at the Dolby Theatre erupted in cheers for every performance, but it was the online community that truly amplified the episode’s impact. Twitter threads filled with gifs of Maura Higgins’ flawless foxtrot, while TikTok creators posted “cha‑cha challenge” clips using the same Santana track.

Instagram stories from contestants revealed backstage nerves and camaraderie, giving fans an intimate look at their favorite stars.

Viewers also expressed frustration over the Tuesday voting crash, sparking discussions about live‑stream reliability. In response, ABC’s production team released a short video explaining the technical hiccup and assuring viewers that safeguards would be implemented for future episodes.

The transparency helped quell concerns and maintain trust among the fanbase.

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## Industry Impact

The two‑night premiere strategy has reverberated beyond the *DWTS* brand. Dance schools across the country reported a 12 % uptick in enrollment during the week of the launch, .

Television analysts noted that ABC’s decision to spread the opening over multiple nights could influence other competition shows, offering a blueprint for extended premieres that boost viewership and advertising revenue.

From a sponsorship perspective, brands tied to Season 35—ranging from athletic apparel to home‑cooking gadgets—benefited from higher engagement metrics. The live voting system, now more robust after Tuesday’s issue, allowed advertisers to target audiences in real time, creating opportunities for dynamic ad placements during key moments.

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## What Happens Next

The 14 remaining contestants will compete in Week 2 on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+. The next round will feature viral hits, introducing fresh choreography challenges that test the celebrities’ adaptability and growth.

Fans will once again have a chance to vote for their favorite couples, and the stakes will rise as the competition narrows toward the finale.

The elimination cycle remains steady—one contestant leaves each week—following the same pattern that began with Conner Leavitt’s exit on Wednesday.

Judges’ feedback will continue to guide both celebrity partners and viewers in shaping future performances, while backstage insights reveal how contestants adjust their training regimens between rounds.

With a strong start to its two‑night premiere, *Dancing with the Stars* Season 35 is poised to deliver high‑energy dance battles, charismatic pairings, and dramatic eliminations that keep audiences coming back for more.

As the season unfolds, the show will not only entertain but also influence dance culture and media strategies across the entertainment industry.