Season 33 of Dancing with the stars was the talk of the town before the first pair of Danskins entered the ballroom on Tuesday. First, we got some good news: the popular pommel horse guy from the Olympics would be competing this season!
But it went downhill from there. Former professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev made some not so pleasant headlines for his (soon to be former?) employer by being arrested after an incident of domestic violence. And then there was the backlash from DWTS‘ Decision to cast Anna Delvey, the so-called fake heiress and convicted fraudster who was the subject of the Netflix show The invention of Anna. The viewIn particular, she talked a lot of nonsense and questioned whether the Russian-born newsmaker had ever repaid her debts.
Fortunately, all of this is now history; Chigvintsev is not in this season (and it is doubtful whether he will ever be back), while the women of The view a kind made amends for their comments about Delvey. (Whoopi, she paid in full). And what about her court-ordered ankle bracelet? It’s covered in rhinestones now, folks.
Time to make the mirror ball spin!
Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) with partner Britt StewartIntroduced as a bona fide “movie star,” the silver-haired Roberts couldn’t help but sing along to “Old Time Rock and Roll” while attempting a lighthearted cha-cha-cha. Attempt is the key word here; he mostly strutted alongside Stewart, but he loved to punch the sky. (Kudos for later admitting to co-host Julianne Hough that he was absolutely petrified.) “I know it’s taken us 20 years to get here, but it’s a pleasure to have you here,” said judge Derek Hough. Score: 15 of 30
Tori Spelling (Beverly Hills, 90210) with partner Pasha Pashkov. It cannot be emphasized enough: the spelling is perfect DWTS Casting. She was also lucky to get one of the best choreographers in the world. Although he couldn’t help her do a decent foxtrot, at least she knows how to put the crowd under pressure. “A little shaky, a little vulnerable,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Score: 17 of 30
Reginald VelJohnson (Family matters) with partner Emma SlaterThere is always that one candidate who is just a tiny a little older than all the others. This year it is the Die Hard alum who looked quite classy in his grandpa cardigan. His salsa was quite stand-hold-partner-let-her-spin-around-me-back-to-standingbut his colorful expressions made it very entertaining. “They have the most incredible spirit,” Hough said. “That was the most compact salsa I’ve ever seen.” Score: 16 of 30
Model Brooks Nader with partner Gleb Savchenko. The supermodel always shook her tail feather in a brass band, so her tango wasn’t entirely wooden. In fact, Carrie Ann Inaba thought it was super hot. Judge Bruno Tonioli, however, had some problems with her balance. “Sometimes you’re a little wobbly,” he said. Score: 18 of 30
Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher with partner Alan Bersten. The charismatic athlete has already proven she knows how to have fun; I highly recommend following her on Instagram. Maher still has a ways to go when it comes to her dancing skills, but she’s got the hip swing down. “I love everything you do,” Inaba said of her cha-cha. “I know you’re nervous. Remember, muscles make you move. And dancing is all about movement. Well done for the first day.” Score: 18 of 30
Anna Delvey with Ezra Sosa: After being found guilty of grand theft, Delvey said, DWTS was a way to show “a different side of me” and “to channel everything into something positive.” Sure, OK, just show us the anklet! Bravo to the director, who revealed it in a big way by hiding it behind a shopping bag before showing it in a great close-up. Afterward, she danced the, er, cha-cha. “You have the talent to be a really beautiful dancer,” Hough said. “Overall, I was pretty surprised and, to be honest, a little speechless.” Score: 18 of 30
Jenn Tran (The Bachelorette) with partner Sasha FarberThis poor single woman had hardly any time to endure this painful Bachelorette Finale before she started immediately DWTS Journey. A lot of people feel sorry for her, but Tran doesn’t need your pity; her debut cha-cha was a real charmer and as is usually the case, former Bachelor contestants always go far in this game. Tran is set for a while. “All in all, a really great first dance,” Hough said. Score: 19 of 30
Phaedra Parks (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) with partner Val Chmerkovskiy: The reality star was ecstatic when she found out she was partnered with a certain Chermkovskiy. This pairing could make for some serious good times this season, as evidenced by their passionate cha-cha to “I’m Every Woman.” “They have all the elements,” Tonioli said. “They can sell it.” “I’m really impressed,” Inaba added. Score: 19 of 30
Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola with partner Witney Carson. Carson, back from maternity leave, has some experience dancing with professional basketball players. She’s good for Amendola, whose tango had some momentum and promise for even better days. “I see strength, focus, determination. You want to succeed,” Tonioli said. “You led with so much conviction.” Score: 20 of 30
The Bachelor‘s Joey Graziadei with partner Jenna Johnson: Wearing a cowboy hat and beaming smile, Graziadei opened the show with a hot cha-cha and the obligatory open shirt. “What a way to start the show,” said judge Derek Hough. “If Americans don’t love you already, they’re going to love you even more.” “The upper body helps, by the way,” Tonioli added. “But you don’t need it. You have the timing. You have musicality.” Score: 21 of 30
NBA champion Dwight Howard with partner Daniella Karagach. The guy is 6’10”. And he has… karagach? But we know the girl can take on the giants – remember, she won with Iman Shumpert in season 30 – and it’s too much fun to watch him throw her around like a basketball. “It’s like watching a giraffe and a gazelle dance,” Hough said of her salsa. “The performance is so full of charisma. Her smile lights up this room.” Score: 22 of 30
Stephen Nedoroscik with partner Rylee Arnold: The gymnast is said to be able to put together a Rubik’s Cube in 8.6 seconds. But that means nothing in the ballroom. Or does it? The production designer littered the room with colorful squares as he kicked and cartwheeled through a boisterous jive. “That was so much fun!” Inaba said. “I felt like you could be flexible and incredible.” Score: 21 out of 30 (he deserved more)
Chandler Kinney (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) with partner Brandon Armstrong. Here’s the real threat of the season: Kinney had a lot of dance lessons growing up, so her tango was pretty spectacular for a premiere. Why did she get stuck at the beginning of the second hour? Oh, right: The infamous Delvey has to quit the show. “What are you doing to me?” Tonioli shouted. “You can’t be serious.” “That was incredible,” Inaba added. “You set the standard for Season 33.” Score: 23 of 30
Apparently the show has already received more votes than last season’s premiere. Was it the Delvey factor? Maybe. But there are no eliminations this week!
