(Left) Whitney Carson and Robert Irwin during their performance.
Season 34 of ABC’s show “Dancing with the Stars” kicked off on Wednesday with 14 new stars and the internet says it’s the best cast in years. Or we’re all the target audience now.
Robert Irwin, wildlife conservationist and son of Steve Irwin, was the first cast member announced and is paired with Witney Carson who is entering her 15th season with the show. In the season premiere, Irwin and Carson danced the jive to the song “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf. The couple scored a 15/20 and ended the night tied for first place.
Influencer Alix Earle was cast a month later and is paired with Val Chmerkovskiy, his 21st season in the show. Earle and Chmerkovskiy danced the cha-cha to the song “Circus” by Britney Spears. The couple scored a 13/20 and ended the night tied for fourth place.
Two of the stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (SLOMW) were cast for season 34.
Jen Affleck was announced first during the SLOMW’s reunion special. Affleck got paired with Jan Ravnik, a new pro on the show who previously danced on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour. In the first episode of the season, Affleck and Ravnik danced the salsa to the song “NUEVAYoL by Bad Bunny”. The couple scored a 12/20 and ended the night tied for sixth place.
(Left) Jan Ravnik and Jen Affleck during their performance.
Season one villain, Whitney Leavitt, was announced as the secret second star from SLOMW and Mark Ballas came out of retirement to be her partner. In the season 34 premiere, Leavitt and Ballas danced the tango to the song “Golden” by HUNTR/X. The couple scored a 15/20 and ended the night tied for first place.
(Left) Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt during their performance.
The rest of the cast was announced last Tuesday, a week before the season 34 premiere.
Hilaria Baldwin, author, wellness influencer and wife of Alec Baldwin, joined the cast paired with Gleb Savchenko, a pro who’s been on the show for 18 years. Baldwin and Savchenko danced the cha-cha to the song “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez. The couple scored a 14/20 and ended the night in third place.
Dylan Efron, reality tv star, travel influencer and little brother of Zac Efron, was cast in season 34 partnered with Daniella Karagach in her sixth season. Efron and Karagach danced the cha-cha to the song “Milkshake” by Kelis. The couple scored a 10/20 and ended the night tied for tenth place.
(Left) Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach during their performance.
Comedian Andy Richter also joins the cast and is slated to dance with Emma Slater, her 17th year with the show. Richter and Slater started the season dancing the cha-cha to the song “Hold On, I’m Coming” by Sam & Dave. The couple scored a 9/20 and ended the night tied for last place.
“Boy Meets World” star Danielle Fishel joined the show and is partnered with Pasha Pashkov, who is entering his sixth season with the show. Fishel and Pashkov danced the tango to the song “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” by Kelly Clarkson. The couple scored a 12/20 and ended the night tied for sixth place.
“Parent Trap” actress Elaine Hendrix teams up with Alan Bersten for season 34 and Bersten’s ninth pro season. Hendrix and Bersten began the season dancing the cha-cha to the song “Woman” by Kesha. The couple scored a 12/20 and ended the night tied for sixth place.
Child actor Corey Feldman, best known for “Stand By Me” and “The Goonies,” got paired with Jenna Johnson who is on her 11th season with the show and is coming off a Mirrorball win. Feldman and Johnson danced the tango to the song “It’s Still Rock & Roll To Me” by Billy Joel. The couple scored a 9/20 and ended the night tied for last place.
Scott Hoying from the Grammy winning band “Pentatonix” joins the cast alongside pro Rylee Arnold, who will be entering her third season with the show. Hoying and Arnold started the season dancing the tango to the song “Abracadabra” by Lady Gaga. The couple scored a 10/20 and ended the night tied for tenth place.
Lauren Jauregui from “Fifth Harmony” enters the season with pro Brandon Armstrong, who is entering his eighth year. Jauregui and Armstrong danced the tango to the song “Yes, And?” by Arianna Grande. The couple scored a 13/20 and ended the night tied for fourth place.
NBA All-Star Baron Davis joins the show paired with Britt Stewart in her sixth year on the show. Davis and Stewart started their season dancing the cha-cha to the song “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer. The couple scored a 10/20 and ended the night tied for tenth place.
To round out the 14 contestants, Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles pairs with Ezra Sosa for the 34th season and Sosa’s second year as a pro. Chiles and Sosa danced the salsa to the song “Break my Soul” by Beyoncé. The couple scored a 10/20 and ended the night tied for tenth place.
“Dancing With the Stars” continues next Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. on Disney+ and ABC, where the first two couples will be eliminated.
Categories: Arts & Entertainment
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