Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Delivers Shocking Double Elimination in Week 1
Dancing With the Stars Season 35 kicked off with two shocking eliminations in week one, as fans say goodbye to two competitors already.
Dancing With the Stars Season 35 has barely begun, and the ballroom floor has already claimed its first casualties. The long-running ABC competition opened its new season with a dramatic two-night premiere that ended with two celebrities packing up their dancing shoes before week two even started.
For fans following the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premiere, the shock came fast. Just days after the show launched, viewers learned exactly who left Dancing With the Stars in week one, setting the tone for what promises to be a fiercely competitive season.
What Happened During the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Premiere?
The new season kicked off on September 15, bringing together a mixed cast of reality television personalities, actors, athletes and musicians, all hoping to follow in the footsteps of Season 34 winner Robert Irwin. This year’s lineup includes familiar names such as Summer House star Ciara Miller, actor Julia Stiles, The Traitors’ Maura Higgins, and singer Taylor Hanson, giving the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 cast a broad mix of star power across entertainment, sport and social media.
Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli returned to the judging panel, while Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough hosted the show for a fourth consecutive season, keeping the familiar structure fans have grown to expect from the franchise.
Who Left Dancing With the Stars in Week 1?
The two celebrities eliminated from Dancing With the Stars Season 35 in its opening week were Secret Lives of Mormon Wives personality Conner Leavitt and social media influencer Sarah Jane Nader.
Leavitt, paired with professional dancer Adele Zaikman, was the first to be sent home on the show’s opening night. Their salsa performance, set to Tag Team’s well-known track, earned a total score of 12 out of 30 after receiving matching low marks from all three judges. Despite the early exit, Leavitt expressed gratitude for the experience, praising his partner’s talent and calling the process one of the most enjoyable of his career.
Sarah Jane Nader followed the next night, becoming the second name added to the list of who left Dancing With the Stars in week one. Partnered with professional dancer Hailey Bills, Nader’s jive routine to an early-2000s pop-punk hit scored 14 out of 30. Notably, Nader and Bills formed only the third same-sex pairing in the show’s 35-season history, and Nader used her elimination interview to speak about the significance of representation on the ballroom floor, noting how meaningful it felt to share that stage as two women.
Who Topped the Leaderboard in Week 1?
While two contestants exited, others surged ahead. Harry Shum Jr. and professional partner Jenna Johnson tied for the top spot in the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 leaderboard with 21 points, following a high-energy cha cha routine. Maura Higgins and her partner Mark Ballas matched that score the following night with a foxtrot performance, putting both pairs at the head of the competition heading into week two.
Why Does the Week 1 Elimination Matter for Season 35?
Early eliminations often set the competitive tone for the rest of a Dancing With the Stars season, and this year is no exception. With two contestants already gone after just two nights, remaining competitors face increased pressure to secure both judge approval and audience votes in the weeks ahead. The tight scoring margins seen in week one suggest Season 35 could be one of the more closely contested seasons in the show’s recent history.
When Is Dancing With the Stars On Next?
Dancing With the Stars airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC, with same-night streaming available on Disney+. Episodes are also available on Hulu the following day, giving fans multiple ways to keep up with the competition as it progresses.
What Comes Next for Dancing With the Stars Season 35?
With the first two eliminations behind them, the remaining cast members will now compete for a spot in the following rounds, as the competition continues its weekly elimination format through to the finale. Viewers can expect the intensity to rise as pairs refine their routines and vie for a place in the season’s later stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who was eliminated from Dancing With the Stars Season 35 in week 1?
Ans. Conner Leavitt and Sarah Jane Nader were the two celebrities eliminated from Dancing With the Stars Season 35 during its opening week.
Q2. Who topped the Dancing With the Stars Season 35 leaderboard after week 1?
Ans. Harry Shum Jr. with Jenna Johnson, and Maura Higgins with Mark Ballas, tied for first place with 21 points each.
Q3. When does Dancing With the Stars air new episodes?
Ans. New episodes air every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and stream the same night on Disney+, with Hulu availability the next day.
Q4. Who are the judges and hosts for Dancing With the Stars Season 35?
Ans. Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli serve as judges, while Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough host the season.
Q5. Who won Dancing With the Stars Season 34?
Ans. Robert Irwin was the Season 34 champion, whose success set the stage for this year’s competitive Season 35 cast.
Conclusion
The Dancing With the Stars Season 35 premiere delivered exactly the kind of early drama fans have come to expect, with Conner Leavitt and Sarah Jane Nader becoming the season’s first eliminations after two intense nights of performances. As Harry Shum Jr., Maura Higgins and other top scorers continue their push toward the mirror ball trophy, audiences can look forward to a season already defined by tight competition, memorable performances and rising stakes with each passing week.
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