✨ Let’s get into it ✨
⏱ 2 min read
💡 TLDR
Can you believe both new pros got booted after just one week? It’s a total gut punch, but Carrie Ann is defending them, saying it was just a rough start. Meanwhile, Maura Higgins is absolutely killing it with massive scores!
The way the Dancing With the Stars premiere just shook everyone is actually wild. We were all rooting for the fresh faces, but seeing both new pros head home after only one week feels like a total gut punch. Even though Hailey Bills and Adele Zaikman didn’t make it past the first round, judge Carrie Ann Inaba is stepping in to remind us that this is all part of the learning curve.
A Rough Night For The Rookies
It was definitely a heavy night for the newcomers, especially since they were both paired with established talent. Hailey Bills—who is niece to pro Jenna Johnson and wife to Val Chmerkovskiy—was promoted from the dance troupe to a full pro this season, while Adele Zaikman joined the lineup after winning Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro. Despite their hype, both ladies struggled during their jive to Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi,” earning only 14 out of a possible 30 points alongside partners Sarah Jane Nader and Conner Leavitt. They’re going to learn so much from what happened. Speaking to E! News’ Will Marfuggia, Inaba noted that Hailey has been around the ballroom long enough to know how things work, suggesting they simply had a bad start rather than a lack of skill.
💫 They're going to learn so much from what happened.
Maura Higgins Is Stealing The Show
While the rookies faced an early exit, one performance absolutely sent shockwaves through the judging panel. Traitors star Maura Higgins and veteran pro Mark Ballas secured the highest score of the night with a massive 21-point foxtrot. Even Carrie Ann admitted she was caught off guard by the level of talent on display. She described Maura’s performance as mind-blowingly great, noting how she seemed to be floating across the floor despite the stage smoke making it hard to see every single bit of footwork. It’s clear that Mark Ballas’s choreography and strategic staging played a huge role in helping Maura nail that sensual vibe right out of the gate.
The leaderboard also saw Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik land at the bottom with 12 points for their jive, proving just how competitive this season is already shaping up to be. While we might be mourning the loss of our new favorite pros, Inaba is staying cautious about calling any future winners. I always try to stay away from expectations because it can really mess you up as a judge. With such high stakes and unpredictable scores, this season is clearly going to be anything but boring.
Are you Team Maura after that killer foxtrot, or are you still bummed about Hailey and Adele leaving so soon?
❓ People Also Ask
Why did Carrie Ann Inaba defend the eliminated new pros?
Carrie Ann Inaba defended the new pros by explaining that their early elimination is simply part of the natural learning curve for newcomers. She suggested that the dancers, specifically Hailey Bills, possess enough ballroom experience to understand how the competition works and likely just suffered from a bad start. Rather than a lack of fundamental skill, Inaba views their low scores during the premiere as a temporary setback that will ultimately serve as a valuable learning experience for their future growth.
What was the highest score achieved during the Dancing With the Stars premiere?
The highest score of the night was a 21-point foxtrot performed by Maura Higgins and veteran professional Mark Ballas. This standout performance surprised the judging panel, with Carrie Ann Inaba describing the routine as mind-blowingly great. The success of the dance was attributed to Ballas's strategic staging and choreography, which helped Higgins achieve a sensual vibe and a sense of floating across the floor, even with stage smoke making the footwork difficult to see.
How did the new professional dancers perform in their first round?
The new professional dancers, Hailey Bills and Adele Zaikman, struggled during their first round and earned only 14 out of a possible 30 points. Both dancers performed a jive to Avril Lavigne’s Sk8er Boi alongside partners Sarah Jane Nader and Conner Leavitt. Despite the high expectations surrounding their debut, their low scores resulted in an early exit from the competition, leaving many fans disappointed by how quickly the rookies were sent home.
Who received the lowest score on the Dancing With the Stars leaderboard?
Tatyana Ali and her partner Jan Ravnik landed at the bottom of the leaderboard after receiving only 12 points. Their performance consisted of a jive that failed to gain momentum compared to the other contestants. This low score highlights the intense level of competition present in the new season, as even established talent faces significant challenges in securing high marks from the judges during the opening week of the competition.
💬 What do you think? Let us know in the comments! 👇
📰 Source: E! News