Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman Exit After First Night Shock on DWTS

The ballroom at CBS Television City was alive on Tuesday night as the first segment of Season 35’s two‑night premiere unfolded. Sixteen celebrities took the floor to vie for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, with only male contestants performing during the opening episode.

Viewers were treated to a mix of dance styles, from cha‑cha to tango, and a handful of unexpected tech hiccups that turned the voting process on its head.

The night’s drama unfolded when online voting crashed midway through the show. The network scrapped ABC.com votes mid‑premiere, leaving only text ballots in play. With two contestants sharing the name “Conner,” voters were told to specify “Conner L.” or “Connor W.” in their texts, or their votes would be discarded, .

Despite the glitch, the judges delivered sharp scores and candid commentary that set the tone for the season.

## Background & Context

Season 35 of *Dancing with the Stars* launched with a two‑night opening strategy that split male and female performances between Tuesday and Wednesday. The 16 contestants are paired with professional dancers and will compete over 14 weeks for the title.

Judges Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Julianne Hough have announced they will keep scores stringent this year, adding to the competitive pressure on the celebrities.

The first night featured a wide range of personalities: a former baseball player, a reality‑TV star, a Paralympian, and a musician who had previously avoided dancing. Each pairing brought its own dynamic to the floor.

Notably, Guillermo Rodriguez—Jimmy Kimmel’s right‑hand man—was guided by season‑34 champion Witney Carson while pregnant, adding an extra layer of intrigue for viewers. Meanwhile, Ezra Frech, an above‑the‑knee amputee, showcased his resilience in a tango that highlighted both technical skill and emotional depth.

The episode also introduced a new contestant pair: Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman. Leavitt, married to *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives* star Whitney Leavitt, joined a Latin‑expert partner who had just won *DWTS: The Next Pro*.

Their salsa set the stage for a high‑energy performance that would later spark debate among judges about technique versus enthusiasm.

## Night One Highlights

Jackson Olson and Emma Slater opened the show with a cha‑cha to “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls, earning Derek Hough’s praise: “The ballroom is back!” and “Jackson, my man, you are a natural born performer.” Hough cautioned that the judges would be tough on scores this season, noting Olson had room for improvement in technique.

The pair received a 15‑out‑of‑30.

Tyler Cameron danced a tango with Sharna Burgess. Former *Bachelor* alum and college football player impressed the judges, who described him as “a tank…you can move, man.” Bruno Tonioli called him pleasantly surprised, awarding a 17‑out‑of‑30.

Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman delivered a salsa to “Whoomp! (There It Is)” by Tag Team. Carrie Ann Inaba labeled the routine “a little chaotic,” but overall enthusiasm was praised.

The duo scored 12‑out‑of‑30, the lowest of the night.

Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson opened with a cha‑cha, attempting to mask Rodriguez’s lack of technique with Carson’s charm. Derek Hough noted the missing technique but commended the effort: “Listen, was the technique there? No.

Was the effort there? Absolutely.” The pair received a 10‑out‑of‑30.

Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach tackled a tango set to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone.” Tonioli applauded Frech’s leading‑man presence: “What really impressed me, you really looked like a leading man.” The duo earned a 20‑out‑of‑30, the highest score of the evening.

Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold performed a cha‑cha to Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It.” Wood’s limited dance experience was offset by sincerity, with Inaba noting no “ick” from a wrong move. The pair scored 16‑out‑of‑30.

Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart took the quickstep, with Hanson embracing the dance after years of avoiding it. Derek Hough encouraged him to feel proud, while Tonioli advised him to “Don’t tighten up.” The duo received a 16‑out‑of‑30.

Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson closed the night with a cha‑cha that felt like an emergency disco. Tonioli praised their chemistry: “The chemistry between you two is off the charts. Sharp as a scalpel.” The performance earned 21‑out‑of‑30, the top score of night one.

## Looking Ahead

Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were the first to leave the competition after night one, based on their lowest scores. , they will return for a “live afterparty” with Season 34 winner Robert Irwin, and the woman who receives the lowest score on night two will be eliminated then.

The network has adjusted its voting strategy to accommodate the two Conners, requiring voters to specify the correct initial in their text ballots. Viewers are encouraged to remain attentive to any further technical updates as the season progresses.

With a full roster of contestants and judges promising tough scores, Season 35’s premiere sets a competitive tone that will keep audiences glued to the ballroom floor for weeks to come.