Since I was a little girl, I looked forward to every night that Dancing With The Stars (DWTS) would air. My grandmother and I always watched it together, voting to keep our favorite couples together, and yelling at the TV when the ones we loved got sent home.
Not many people cherish the show like I do. It’s hard to be a competition-based reality TV show, but with such a passion for the skill of dance, every Tuesday night this year, you will see me behind a screen at 7 p.m., enjoying every bit.
For those who aren’t aware, DWTS is a ballroom dance competition where professional dancers get paired with celebrities and dance weekly to compete for the mirrorball trophy. The opening episode of this season was live-streamed on Sept. 16, and like usual, the opening number was iconic. Choreographed by Ray Leeper, it matched my expectations perfectly. The opening number is only performed by the pros, so there were no mistakes I could find.
However, once the actual dances with the celebrities started, there was a thing or two that needed fixing. Which is no surprise, considering this is all their first time dancing in the ballroom style on such a grand stage with a live audience.
This year, they have a few celebrities I’m slightly disappointed in. Stars such as Jordan Chiles and Danielle Fishel, specifically, gave way less than I desired. Mainly because, as a gymnast, I assumed Jordan could make an easy adjustment to the style of dance, but frankly, it was too stiff and low-key tacky.
She danced a salsa to “BREAK MY SOUL” by Beyoncé, with her professional partner, Ezra Sosa. Though it’s only Sosa’s second year, I anticipated better choreography and more technical skill implemented. What should’ve been a beautiful salsa turned into an awkward TikTok dance.
When it came to Fishel, I simply had higher hopes because of my love for her. You know, whenever you just cherish someone so much that you believe they can do everything and do it perfectly? Yeah, that was me. Unfortunately, I set expectations for her that she was unable to reach.
Don’t get me wrong, if they keep her long enough on the show, I wholeheartedly believe she will improve tremendously. Some people have to work their way up to the top; not everyone can start with a bang.
Speaking of which, there were so many stars who exceeded my expectations so greatly that I was actually mind-blown. Hilaria Baldwin, Whitney Leavitt and Lauren Jauregui blew me away once they got onto the floor. Leavitt danced first out of the three of them. She performed a tango to the song “Golden” from the hit movie, “KPop Demon Hunters.”
Her ability to travel across the stage and hold onto such good form was practically unbelievable. I feel I need to add that these stars only get a week of practice, so for her to gain these abilities so quickly is impressive.
It also doesn’t hurt that her partner is Mark Ballas, a three-time mirrorball winner from the show. Since his first season in 2005, he has been a favorite, so to know he’s back as a contestant was music to the audience’s ears. With his skill and her ability to learn dances quickly, this duo is definitely making it far.
Not long after her, Lauren Jauregui performed, dancing a tango to “yes, and?” by Ariana Grande. As soon as the music started, Lauren came off so strongly, hitting each beat and never missing a movement. She placed such elegance and sophistication in each step that there’s no doubt there is much potential waiting to be released.
With her partner, Brandon Armstrong, all I have are high hopes for their future throughout the season.
Lastly, out of the three is Hilaria Baldwin, a 41-year-old yoga instructor married to Alec Baldwin. Now, if I’m being honest, which I am, I was not expecting much. Not that people in their 40s can’t dance, but when you’re put up against young influencers and gymnasts, I just simply set my hopes on other people.
However, I will never underestimate Baldwin again. Dancing with her partner, Gleb Savchenko, they performed a cha-cha to “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez. Let me explain something, ballroom dance is extremely difficult, so when I saw Baldwin pull out the moves she had, my jaw was on the ground. Baldwin walked onto that stage as if she had owned it and danced her first dance like no other. All I can say is I am sitting on the edge of my seat for what else she brings out. Honestly, I don’t even know her, but I couldn’t be more proud.
All in all, the show brought out so many unexpected emotions. From pure shock to disappointment, I’m sitting on the edge of my seat for the rest of the season.
As a dedicated fan throughout the years, every season I become more and more hesitant in fear that eventually the show will die out and just not be as good anymore, but this season really proved me wrong, and it’s only been one episode.
Though I’m extremely biased, DWTS is one of the best reality TV shows one could invest their time in. I recommend giving it a watch at any time or day. Aired on Disney Plus, it’s a must-watch for those who love or could even care less about dance. You won’t regret it.