DWTS Season 35 Premiere Night 2 Recap: Brutal Cuts, Low Scores, and a Breakout Star
After two decades of covering the ballroom, you learn one cardinal rule about Dancing with the Stars: premiere week is rarely about who can dance—it’s about who can handle the pressure.
Night two of the Season 35 kickoff split the field, putting the female celebrities center stage dancing to chart-toppers from their birth years. Carrie Ann Inaba opened the broadcast warning everyone that the judges weren’t handing out participation trophies this year. She wasn’t kidding.
Between early-routine brain freezes, puzzling judging inconsistencies, and an abrupt first cut, here is what went down under the mirrorball.
The Surprise Leader: Maura Higgins Takes Charge
Nobody walking into this premiere pegged reality TV breakout Maura Higgins as the technical powerhouse of week one. Paired with veteran pro Mark Ballas—a master at masking beginner flaws while sharpening footwork—Higgins delivered a seductive, razor-sharp foxtrot that completely flipped the room.
Bruno Tonioli went full Bruno, christening her a “foxy traitor” in reference to her reality roots. With a 21 out of 30, she captured the highest mark of the evening, proving she isn’t just cast for drama; she has legitimate musicality.
First-Dance Jitters: Tatyana Ali Hits a Wall
Going first in a live ballroom is brutal. Fresh Prince alum Tatyana Ali and pro partner Jan Ravnik pulled the opening slot with a jive to Amii Stewart’s “Knock on Wood.”
Right out of the gate, Ali visibly blanked on the choreography. While she recovered and locked into step by the chorus, Derek Hough pointed out her flat-footed transitions, and the judges showed zero leniency. A triple-4 across the desk resulted in a 12 out of 30—the basement score of the night. Her saving grace? The public vote kept her safe for another week.
Ice Precision Meets Wood Floor: Amber Glenn Delivers
U.S. figure skating champion Amber Glenn stepped out with Pasha Pashkov for a high-energy Cha-Cha to Santana’s “Smooth.” Historically, figure skaters bring gorgeous extensions and instant edge control, but struggle with hip action and grounded foot placement.
Glenn hit every line with mechanical perfection, surviving a tense solo section without breaking frame. A clean 18 out of 30 signaled that once Pashkov loosens her Latin movement, she could easily become this season’s frontrunner.
Uncomfortable Moments & Strange Scores
The night was not without its head-scratchers. Ciara Miller’s foxtrot with Brandon Armstrong earned a modest 15 out of 30, but the real oddity came from the commentary. Both Carrie Ann and co-host Julianne Hough leaned heavily into Miller’s recent off-screen reality drama, creating an awkwardly forced emotional beat that fell flat in the room.
Meanwhile, culinary star Giada De Laurentiis brought pure nerves into her tango with Alan Bersten. Alan leaned on gimmicky cooking pantomimes, yet Carrie Ann rewarded the piece with a 6—scoring it higher than Miller’s significantly cleaner routine.
The Elimination: Who Went Home First?
When the nationwide fan votes were tallied with the judges’ totals, the ballroom said goodbye to its first casualty of the season: Sarah Jane Nader and pro Hailey Bills were eliminated.
While week one departures always feel harsh before a star finds their footing, the Season 35 field is already competitive enough that one flat performance is all it takes to punch an early ticket home.