Season 28 of Dancing with the Stars has premiered on ABC! Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews returned at the show’s hosts. Below is a recap of how the new cast did on their first night! The season premiere opened up with a dance routine to “Higher Love.” The band for Dancing with the Stars is Ray Chew Live.
Before getting into the action, Erin mentions there’s some twists this season, including a new way to vote and see the results live. Tom mentioned the judges have a major announcement that will change the course of eliminations as well. They will tell us more about the new twists next week.
Now we get into this week’s introductions and dancing:
Hannah Brown
Where you may know her from: Brown was Miss Alabama, and started her ABC journey on Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor. She went on to be the Bachelorette the following season. Hannah’s intro included a special appearance from Chris Harrison, host of The Bachelor franchises.
Pro Partner: Alan Bernsten
Dance Style: Cha Cha
Song: “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston
Judges’ Comments: Len commented that it was crisp, clean and confident, with lots of recognizable Cha Cha steps. Bruno commented that Hannah has the right attitude but needs to keep on her center and not rush the music. Carrie Ann commented that Hannah had the posture of a Latin dancer, and once she got her feet right, she had great form.
WOW! What a way to start off the night! 🔥 #DWTS @hannahbrown pic.twitter.com/cD3NDLpXtg
— Dancing with the Stars (@DancingABC) September 17, 2019
Hannah & Alan’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 7
Len Goodman: 7
Bruno Tonioli: 6
Overall: 20/30
Kel Mitchell
Where you may know him from: “Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger. May I take your order?” Mitchell was a regular actor/comedian on Nickelodeon’s 90s sketch comedy series All That and also had a rap career.
Pro Partner: Whitney Carson
Dance Style: Tango
Song: “Sucker” by The Jonas Brothers
Judges’ Comments: Bruno commented that Kel has the right attitude, and it was a real tango, but mentioned Kel was a little bit too jumpy for the tango and went on the wrong foot. Carrie Ann commented that he lost his grip a few times, and lost his groove, but once he finds that, he will do better. Len commented he liked his attack and attitude, but needs more heel leads and noted that his hold got loose.
Kel & Whitney’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 6
Len Goodman: 5
Bruno Tonioli: 5
Overall: 16/30
Kate Flannery
Where you may know her from: Flannery was in The Office as Meredith Palmer and has had various other acting roles.
Pro Partner: Pasha Pashkov (New DWTS Pro!)
Dance Style: Cha Cha
Song: “She Works Hard for the Money” by Donna Summer
Judges’ Comments: Carrie Ann said she was impressed because Kate was sure footed, but she rushed the music sometimes. Len commented that Kate needs to straighten her legs so she can get the natural hip action, but her attitude is terrific, and she “sparkles.” Bruno says she needs to be careful with finishing each move with a sharp ending, or else the figures become fluffy.
Kate & Pasha’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 5
Len Goodman: 5
Bruno Tonioli: 5
Overall: 15/30
Lamar Odom
Where you may know him from: You may know Odom from his marriage with Khloe Kardashian or as an NBA player with the Los Angeles Lakers. He won NBA championships in 2009 and 2010.
Pro Partner: Peta Murgatroyd
Dance Style: Foxtrot
Song: “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé
Judges’ Comments: Len says it’s difficult when someone is as tall as Lamar, and said his dance needed more smoothness, because it lacked finesse. Bruno said Lamar was focusing too much on the steps and needs to relax and feel the music. Carrie Ann commented that she disagreed with Len and Bruno. She can tell this was all new to him, but that he listened to Peta and hit the lines.
Lamar & Peta’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 5
Len Goodman: 3
Bruno Tonioli: 3
Overall: 11/30
Lauren Alaina
Where you may know her from: Alaina appeared on season 10 of American Idol and was runner-up. She has continued on in the country music industry with two studio album releases.
Pro Partner: Gleb Savchenko
Dance Style: Cha Cha
Song: “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!” by Shania Twain
Judges’ Comments: Bruno said it was like watching a sultry Southern belle. She had very nice finishes with the top lines, but tends to lock her knees. Overall, it was a very polished performance. Carrie Ann says there is a looseness to Lauren that can be very powerful once she takes control of it. Len says that they got a good rhythm, but thought the non-Cha Cha intro was too long and not his style.
Lauren & Gleb’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 7
Len Goodman: 6
Bruno Tonioli: 6
Overall: 19/30
Sailor Brinkley-Cook (in place of Christie Brinkley)
Where you may know her from: Christie Brinkley is an American model, actress, and entrepreneur. It was announced the day of the first live show that Brinkley’s daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook, is going to fill in for her this season due to a broken arm that happened during rehearsal. Like her mother, Brinkley-Cook is a Sports Illustrated model. Sailor only had three days to rehearse the dance.
Pro Partner: Val Chmerkovskiy
Dance Style: Foxtrot
Song: “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel (fun fact: the song was chosen because Christie was featured in the music video!)
Judges’ Comments: Carrie Ann was blown away by her poise and incredible carefree spirit that flows through her dance. Len commented that with only three days she “floated his boat,” though they needed a bit more body contact. Bruno commented that she’s got the looks and the talent, and he can’t wait to see what else she can achieve with proper rehearsal time.
Only three days of rehearsal? Great work, @SBrinkleyCook! 🤩 #DWTS pic.twitter.com/WDO0wrBS07
— Dancing with the Stars (@DancingABC) September 17, 2019
Sailor & Val’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 6
Len Goodman: 6
Bruno Tonioli: 6
Overall: 18/30
Karamo Brown
Where you may know him from: Brown is the culture expert and self-help guru/life coach on Netflix’s popular make-over show Queer Eye.
Pro Partner: Jenna Johnson
Dance Style: Salsa
Song: “Juice” by Lizzo
Judges’ Comments: Len says it was disappointing, because there was not enough hip action in the basic steps, and it lacked rhythm. Bruno said good looks and style, but “come on man, give me those hips!” Carrie Ann thinks Karamo underperformed and has more potential. It was a solid but underwhelming performance.
Karamo and Jenna’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 6
Len Goodman: 5
Bruno Tonioli: 6
Overall: 17/30
Ray Lewis
Where you may know him from: Lewis is a two-time Super Bowl champion and former NFL linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens.
Pro Partner: Cheryl Burke
Dance Style: Salsa
Song: “Hot in Herre” by Nelly
Judges’ Comments: Bruno says he can definitely turn on the heat, but he needs to be careful with the missteps. It was a fantastic, charismatic performance. Carrie Ann exclaimed he turned the audience on, and that it was pretty darn good. Len said he has great potential.
Ray & Cheryl’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 5
Len Goodman: 5
Bruno Tonioli: 5
Overall: 15/30
Mary Wilson
Where you may know her from: At 75, Wilson is the oldest cast member this year. She was a founding member of the R&B/soul group The Supremes with Diana Ross, and is considered a legend in the music industry.
Pro Partner: Brandon Armstrong
Dance Style: Foxtrot
Song: “Baby Love” by The Supremes
Judges’ Comments: Carrie Ann started by bowing to Mary, and said with true elegance and true sophistication, she was built to foxtrot on their floor. The dance was very beautiful and refined. Len is the same age as Mary and wishes that he could come out and do a foxtrot as good as her. Bruno is starstruck, and says Mary knows how to sell it, and noted that she even attempted a heel turn.
Mary & Brandon’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 6
Len Goodman: 5
Bruno Tonioli: 6
Overall: 17/30
Ally Brooke
Where you may know her from: Brooke became a part of the music group Fifth Harmony on the show The X-Factor, where the group finished in third place. Brooke has since gone solo with her music career.
Pro Partner: Sasha Farber
Dance Style: Cha Cha
Song: “Work From Home” by Fifth Harmony
Judges’ Comments: Len says there was more hip thrusting and gyrating, which he is not a fan of, but she’s a very competent dancer. Bruno says he loves her sense of attack, but she’s anticipating the beat and needs to be on the music. Carrie Ann says she needs to find her balance, and she has great potential.
Ally & Sasha’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 5
Len Goodman: 5
Bruno Tonioli: 6
Overall: 16/30
Sean Spicer
Where you may know him from: Spicer is a former White House Press Secretary and White House Communications Director.
Pro Partner: Lindsay Arnold
Dance Style: Salsa
Song: “Spice Up Your Life” by the Spice Girls
Judges’ Comments: Bruno commented that there were some elements of Salsa, but not always on time or on rhythm. He said Spicer’s hips looked like they were set in cement. He mentioned that overall it was “strangely entertaining.” Carrie Ann said he had the best fluorescent shimmy of the night. She likes his sense of fun, but he was offbeat most of the dance. Len admires him coming on the show, and that he brought fun to the ballroom.
Sean & Lindsay’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 4
Len Goodman: 4
Bruno Tonioli: 4
Overall: 12/30
James Van Der Beek
Where you may know him from: In the 90s, Van Der Beek played the titular character in Dawson’s Creek. He was also in the movie Varsity Blues, and various other acting roles. He said his proudest achievement is being a father of five.
Pro Partner: Emma Slater
Dance Style: Tango
Song: “Whatever it Takes” by Imagine Dragons
Judges’ Comments: Carrie Ann says he has style, technique and flavor. “We have a leading man in the house!” Len says it had drive, purpose, and that James kept body contact. Bruno loved that he was totally in character and controlled all the way through. He said James knows how to place the lines.
.@vanderjames. Just. Did. That. 😯🤩 #DWTS pic.twitter.com/aJLsIYoPPK
— Dancing with the Stars (@DancingABC) September 17, 2019
James & Emma’s Scores:
Carrie Ann Inaba: 7
Len Goodman: 7
Bruno Tonioli: 7
Overall: 21/30
With a score of 21 out of 30, James and Emma ended with the highest score of the night! Hannah and Alan were a close second with 20 out of 30. The two couples at the bottom of the leaderboard were Sean and Lindsay with 12 out of 30, and Lamar and Peta with 11 out of 30.
The judges scores will carry over to next week and combine with next Monday’s scores. The first elimination will be revealed at the end of the live show next week.
Did you have a favorite that you want to see make it through to the finale? Leave a comment below!
Introducing your #DWTS 2019 couples! pic.twitter.com/Jiwp0tB7lX
— Dancing with the Stars (@DancingABC) September 17, 2019