Dancing With the Stars Season 35 opened with an early shock as the competition sent its first celebrity home before all 16 contestants had even performed. The two-night premiere began on September 15, with eight male celebrities taking to the ballroom in Los Angeles for the first round of performances.
Conner Leavitt became the first celebrity to leave the competition after his salsa with professional partner Adele Zaikman. The episode aired live on ABC and Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET, with the eight female celebrities scheduled to compete on September 16.
The early elimination is part of a format change that will see one male and one female celebrity eliminated across the two-night premiere, giving contestants less time to establish themselves with viewers before facing the vote.
Treasure Ayanfe Adetula
Who Was Eliminated From Dancing With The Stars?
Conner Leavitt became the first celebrity eliminated from Season 35 after his salsa with professional partner Adele Zaikman. The pair performed to Tag Team’s “Whoomp! (There It Is)” but received the lowest judges’ score of the night, 12 out of 30.
The elimination was particularly significant for Zaikman, who had earned her place in the professional cast by winning Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro. Leavitt, meanwhile, had appeared on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives alongside his wife Whitney Leavitt, who competed on the previous season.
Who Got The Highest Score?
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson set the early benchmark with 21 points for their cha-cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove”. The Glee and Crazy Rich Asians actor showed the benefit of his performance background, although the judges still identified areas for improvement.
Paralympic track and field athlete Ezra Frech was close behind with 20 points alongside Daniella Karagach. His tango to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” earned the first sevens of the season from the judging panel. Derek Hough praised Frech’s potential while pointing to his frame as something he could develop.
Tyler Cameron followed with 17 points, while Connor Wood and Taylor Hanson each scored 16. Jackson Olson received 15, and Guillermo Rodriguez finished with 10.
Why Was The First Elimination Controversial?
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