Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman
Conner Leavitt and professional partner Adele Zaikman became the first couple eliminated from Season 35.
The pair performed a salsa to Tag Team’s “Whoomp! (There It Is)” and received 12/30 from the judges.
The judges praised Leavitt’s enthusiasm but criticized the technical aspects of his salsa.
Zaikman is also a notable new face in the professional lineup after winning Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro.
Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills
The second elimination came on September 16.
Sarah Jane Nader and professional dancer Hailey Bills performed a jive to Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.”
The pair received a score in the lower portion of the night’s leaderboard and were ultimately eliminated after the combination of judges’ scores and viewer voting.
Their appearance was particularly significant because the pair represented one of the show’s same-sex celebrity/pro partnerships.
Nader said after the elimination that she hoped their participation would continue to have an impact beyond the competition.
Who Is Still Competing on DWTS Season 35?
Fourteen celebrity-professional couples remain in the competition.
Remaining Season 35 Couples
| Celebrity | Professional Partner |
|---|---|
| Julia Stiles | Ezra Sosa |
| Jenna Dewan | Valentin Chmerkovskiy |
| Tatyana Ali | Jan Ravnik |
| Taylor Hanson | Britt Stewart |
| Ezra Frech | Daniella Karagach |
| Amber Glenn | Pasha Pashkov |
| Connor Wood | Rylee Arnold |
| Tyler Cameron | Sharna Burgess |
| Giada De Laurentiis | Alan Bersten |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Jenna Johnson |
| Guillermo Rodriguez | Witney Carson |
| Maura Higgins | Mark Ballas |
| Ciara Miller | Brandon Armstrong |
| Jackson Olson | Emma Slater |
Maura Higgins Makes an Early Impact
One of the biggest talking points from the second premiere night was Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas.
The reality television star performed a foxtrot to Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet” and earned 21/30, placing her at the top of the Night Two leaderboard.
Higgins had previously described herself as inexperienced in dance, making the performance one of the more talked-about moments of the opening week.
Her partnership with Ballas has also attracted attention because the two already have a connection through The Traitors.
Harry Shum Jr. Starts Strong
On the first night, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson delivered one of the standout performances.
The actor and dancer performed a cha-cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove” and earned 21/30, the highest score of Night One.
Shum Jr.’s professional background in dance and choreography has naturally made his partnership one of the most closely watched of the season.
His opening performance immediately placed him among the contestants to watch as the competition develops.
Jenna Dewan Brings Professional Dance Experience
Another major storyline is Jenna Dewan’s return to the dance floor.
The Step Up star performed a tango with Valentin Chmerkovskiy during Night Two.
The pair received 19/30.
Dewan has extensive dance experience, which creates a different dynamic compared with contestants learning ballroom dancing from scratch.
The judges nevertheless made clear that expectations are high, meaning future performances will be closely scrutinized.
Julia Stiles Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa delivered one of the more emotional performances of the premiere.
The pair performed a quickstep to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.”
Following Parton’s death in August 2026, Stiles and Sosa modified elements of their routine as a tribute to the legendary performer.
The couple earned 18/30.
The performance became more than simply a competition routine, turning into a tribute to Parton’s musical legacy.
Ciara Miller Opens Up After Her DWTS Debut
Ciara Miller also became part of the early Season 35 conversation after an emotional premiere performance.
Miller and Brandon Armstrong performed a foxtrot to Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” and received 15/30.
Following the performance, Miller explained that she felt overwhelmed and unusually quiet because she was processing the experience and the emotions surrounding her debut.
Armstrong also praised Miller’s depth and authenticity as a performer.
The moment demonstrated that Season 35 is likely to feature not only competition but also personal storytelling.
DWTS Season 35 Premiere Scores
Night One
The male celebrities competed during the first episode.
Some of the notable results included:
- Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson — 21/30
- Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach — 20/30
- Jackson Olson & Emma Slater — 15/30
- Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman — 12/30
Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were eliminated.
Night Two
The female celebrities competed during the second episode.
The leading scores included:
- Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas — 21/30
- Jenna Dewan & Valentin Chmerkovskiy — 19/30
- Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov — 18/30
- Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa — 18/30
- Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten — 16/30
- Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong — 15/30
- Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills — 14/30
- Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik — 12/30
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were eliminated.
Note: published recaps have differed slightly on Sarah Jane Nader’s reported judges’ total; the elimination result itself is not in dispute.
What Happens Next on Dancing With the Stars?
The competition now moves into its first standard weekly episode.
Week 2: Viral Hits Night
The next episode is scheduled for:
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
8:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. CT
ABC + Disney+
The episode is expected to feature the remaining 14 couples competing together for the first time this season.
The confirmed theme being reported for Week 2 is “Viral Hits Night.”
That means viewers can expect the contestants to move away from the birth-year No. 1 format used during the premiere and perform to songs associated with viral popularity.
Another elimination is expected as the competition moves into its normal weekly format.
DWTS Season 35 Schedule
Following the two-night premiere, Dancing With the Stars is scheduled to continue primarily on Tuesday nights.
| Episode/Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Premiere Night One | September 15, 2026 |
| Premiere Night Two | September 16, 2026 |
| Week 2 | September 22, 2026 |
| Week 3 | September 29, 2026 |
| Week 4 | October 6, 2026 |
| Week 5 | October 13, 2026 |
| Week 6 | October 20, 2026 |
| Week 7 | October 27, 2026 |
| Week 8 | November 3, 2026 |
| Week 9 | November 10, 2026 |
| Week 10 | November 17, 2026 |
| Final scheduled episode | November 24, 2026 |
ABC’s schedule notes one exception: a live episode is scheduled for Monday, November 2, instead of Tuesday, November 3, before the regular Tuesday schedule resumes November 10.
Theme names and performance details for many later episodes have not yet been officially announced and may change.
Who Are the DWTS Season 35 Judges?
The judging panel remains:
- Carrie Ann Inaba
- Derek Hough
- Bruno Tonioli
The three judges continue to score the celebrities’ performances while viewer votes also contribute to elimination decisions.
Who Hosts Dancing With the Stars Season 35?
The Season 35 hosting team is:
Alfonso Ribeiro
Ribeiro continues as one of the show’s hosts and brings his long-running connection with the series to another season.
Julianne Hough
Hough returns as co-host and remains closely involved with the live ballroom action and contestant interviews.
Why Season 35 Is Generating So Much Attention
Several elements are making this season particularly interesting for viewers.
A Star-Heavy Cast
Season 35 brings together actors, athletes, television personalities, chefs, reality stars, social-media personalities and entertainers.
The cast includes recognizable names such as Julia Stiles, Jenna Dewan, Harry Shum Jr., Tatyana Ali and Giada De Laurentiis.
New Professional Talent
The season also gives newer professionals opportunities to establish themselves alongside experienced DWTS veterans.
Adele Zaikman and Hailey Bills were among the newer professionals involved in the opening competition.
Strong Entertainment Backgrounds
Several contestants already have backgrounds in performance or entertainment.
That makes the season particularly interesting because some contestants are approaching ballroom dancing as complete beginners while others have extensive experience performing in front of audiences.
Viewer Voting Remains Crucial
DWTS isn’t determined solely by judges’ scores.
Viewer voting is combined with judges’ results to determine which couples continue.
That means a strong fan base can become an important factor as the competition progresses.
How to Watch Dancing With the Stars Season 35
Fans in the United States can watch Dancing With the Stars live on:
ABC
Disney+
Episodes are also made available through streaming platforms after the live broadcast, including Hulu.
The regular live schedule is Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT.
How DWTS Voting Works
Voting is an important part of the competition.
Eligible viewers can vote through the show’s official voting system during the live broadcast window.
During the opening night, the show experienced online voting problems, with the hosts informing viewers about the issue and directing attention toward available voting alternatives.
Because voting procedures can change from episode to episode, viewers should check the official ABC/DWTS voting page during each live broadcast.
DWTS Season 35: Biggest Storylines to Watch
As Week 2 approaches, several storylines could become increasingly important.
Can Harry Shum Jr. Maintain His Momentum?
After earning 21/30 on Night One, Shum Jr. has immediately attracted attention.
The challenge now is adapting to new dance styles and maintaining consistency.
Can Maura Higgins Build on Her 21/30?
Higgins delivered the top score on Night Two.
Her next performance will show whether her strong premiere was the beginning of a sustained run.
How Will Jenna Dewan Progress?
Dewan already has substantial dance experience, but ballroom competition requires precision, technique and adaptability.
Her partnership with Valentin Chmerkovskiy will be closely followed.
Can Julia Stiles Turn Her Emotional Debut Into Momentum?
Her Dolly Parton tribute created one of the premiere’s more memorable moments.
The next challenge is proving that she can combine storytelling with increasingly demanding technical routines.
Which New Pros Will Break Through?
With newer professional dancers entering the spotlight, Season 35 is also an opportunity for the next generation of ballroom professionals to establish themselves.
What to Expect From Week 2
The September 22 episode should provide the first real indication of how the competition looks when all remaining couples perform during the same episode.
The biggest changes will be:
- All 14 remaining couples compete.
- The contestants face the Viral Hits theme.
- Judges’ scores can be compared across the entire field.
- Viewer voting becomes even more important.
- Another couple is expected to leave the competition.
- New dance styles will test contestants beyond their premiere routines.
The leaderboard could therefore look very different from the opening two nights.
DWTS Season 35 FAQ
When did Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premiere?
Season 35 premiered with a two-night event on September 15 and September 16, 2026.
How many contestants started Season 35?
Sixteen celebrity contestants entered the competition with their professional dance partners.
Who was eliminated from DWTS Season 35 first?
Conner Leavitt and professional partner Adele Zaikman were eliminated during Night One.
Who was eliminated second?
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were eliminated during Night Two.
How many couples remain?
Fourteen couples remain after the two-night premiere.
When is the next DWTS episode?
The next regular episode is scheduled for Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
What is the theme of the next episode?
The next episode is scheduled as Viral Hits Night.
What time is DWTS on?
The regular live episode is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT on ABC and Disney+.
Who are the DWTS judges?
Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli are serving as judges.
Who hosts DWTS Season 35?
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough are the Season 35 hosts.
When is the DWTS Season 35 finale?
The current ABC schedule runs through November 24, 2026.
Final Takeaway
Dancing With the Stars Season 35 is already off to a busy start.
The two-night premiere introduced 16 celebrity competitors, delivered standout performances from Harry Shum Jr. and Maura Higgins, produced emotional moments involving Ciara Miller and Julia Stiles, and sent Conner Leavitt and Sarah Jane Nader home.
Now, 14 couples remain.
The next major event is Viral Hits Night on September 22, when the entire remaining cast will compete together for the first time.
With weekly eliminations ahead, changing dance styles and viewer voting playing a major role, the Season 35 leaderboard could change rapidly as the competition moves toward its November finale.
America Newsline will continue updating this story with new scores, eliminations, performances, contestant news and upcoming DWTS events as they are announced.