New Season of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Launches with the ‘Best First Dance’ in the Show’s History – Recap

The glitter was flying, the stakes were high, and the drama was instant. On the jaw-dropping premiere night of “Dancing with the Stars” (“DWTS”) Season 34, one contestant stormed the stage with a performance so powerful it left the judges speechless, while another was mercilessly dragged across social media for what fans called a “painful” display.

And in a move that raised eyebrows, a major judge was absent. However, she explained why she did not appear in the episode via Instagram Stories.

Robert Irwin Leaves Judges and the Internet Stunned with Electric First Dance

The beloved ballroom competition kicked off in true showbiz style, but it was famous wildlife conservationist and TV personality Robert Irwin who lit up the stage and stole the entire night.

The nature-loving star joined forces with professional dancer Witney Carson to deliver a jaw-dropping jive to Steppenwolf’s iconic anthem, “Born to be Wild.” Initially, Irwin set the scene amid a safari-theme setting, perched atop a Land Rover parked in the midst of tall grass.

After setting his sights on Carson with a pair of binoculars, the charismatic TV personality pounced off the hood of the vehicle and ran to his partner.

Together, the pair twirled, kicked, flipped, and dipped their way through a performance that had every eye glued to the floor. Dressed in striking, matching ensembles, Irwin and Carson delivered with such energy and precision that the ballroom exploded with cheers.

Judge Derek Hough, who won the coveted mirrorball trophy with Irwin’s sister in Season 21, couldn’t contain his awe. He showered Irwin with praise, even jokingly asking if the 21-year-old had been secretly training all these years.

“That was one of the best first dances I’ve ever seen on this show,” declared Hough, and online, fans wholeheartedly agreed.

“Robert was hands down the best performance of the night #DWTS #robertirwin #minneapolisbct,” stated a fan, while another added, “I feel bad for every other contestant ngl Robert’s gonna take the mirror ball no question 👏🏼.” “So good! He’s dancing like a pro,” asserted a fellow admirer. The praise continued with a supporter gushing, “my [sic] winner.”

Yet another admirer echoed the sentiments, “Robert had the best dance of the night omg!! Whitney’s [sic] choreo was perfect!!! #DWTS.” “That really was the best ‘DWTS’ premiere in a long time. My money is on Robert & Whitney [sic] 🪩 #DWTS,” marveled a fellow fan.

One viewer even highlighted the fact that Irwin performed so well despite the fact that he has no prior dancing experience.

Corey Feldman’s Tango Falls Flat as Fans Brutally Tear Him Apart

While Irwin’s performance soared, one contestant’s turn on the dance floor left viewers cringing. Corey Feldman, known for his decades-spanning film career, attempted the tango alongside pro dancer Jenna Johnson — but failed to impress.

The pair, who donned glittery ensembles — Johnson in a striking, figure-hugging two-piece and Feldman in a dark-colored suit — danced their hearts out to Billy Joel’s “It’s Still Rock & Roll To Me.” As Johnson kicked and spun, Feldman led them with robust choreography.

Despite their best efforts, the routine was met with harsh backlash online, where spectators didn’t hold back. The performance was swiftly labeled one of the worst of the night as armchair critics unleashed their fury.

“Painful to watch! Yell at me if you want!!!! 🤪,” shared one observer, while another said, “Oh Corey, that wasn’t good.”

Someone else even went so far as to say, “Next week he’s gonna go he can’t even move him and Andy are the first to go [sic].” “Nope dont like that 😒 [sic],” opined another person, while a fellow critic added, “He knew the steps but has no rhythm at all.”

Sadly, the criticism didn’t end there. “Unfortunately he’s not going far, there are too many great dancers this season. He’s seeing the bottom [sic],” stated an observer. Even more netizens predicted Feldman and Johnson’s future on the season…in not-so-bright terms. Someone even expressed sorrow for Johnson.

Battle of the Ballroom Begins!

While Feldman and Johnson earned a dismal score of nine out of twenty, the night saw a breakout performance from Irwin and Carson, who dazzled the judges with an impressive 15/20.

Joining them this season? A jaw-dropping roll call of star power: Jennifer Affleck, Hilaria Baldwin, Jordan Chiles, Baron Davis, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Danielle Fishel, Elaine Hendrix, Scott Hoying, Lauren Jauregui, Whitney Leavitt, and Andy Richter are all competing for that coveted mirrorball trophy.

Affleck brought the heat with partner Jan Ravnik, performing a spicy salsa to Bad Bunny’s “NUEVAYoL” that earned 12/20. Meanwhile, Baldwin teamed up with Gleb Savchenko for a cha cha to Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” scoring a confident 14/20.

Olympian Chiles and Ezra Sosa performed their salsa to Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul,” but only managed a 10/20. Fellow competitor Davis and Britt Stewart also landed a 10/20 with their cha cha to MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This.”

Social media sensation Earle took on Britney Spears’s “Circus” with Val Chmerkovskiy, dancing a cheeky cha cha and landing 13/20. Efron and Daniella Karagach also chose the cha cha — this time to Kelis’s “Milkshake” — but could only whip up 10/20.

“Boy Meets World” actress Fishel and Pasha Pashkov performed a dramatic tango to Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” scoring 12/20.

Actress Hendrix brought fire with Alan Bersten, dancing the cha cha to “Woman” by Kesha featuring The Dap-Kings Horns for 12/20. Pentatonix’s Hoying and Rylee Arnold chose Lady Gaga’s “Abracadabra” for their cha cha — but failed to cast a spell, earning just 10/20.

Fifth Harmony’s Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong embraced the sultry mood of a tango to Ariana Grande’s “yes, and?” — landing at 13/20. Meanwhile, Leavitt and Mark Ballas stole the spotlight with a sharp tango to “Golden” from “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” matching the highest score of the night: 15/20.

Comedian Richter and Emma Slater attempted a cha cha to “Hold On, I’m Coming” by Sam & Dave — but unfortunately, their score of nine out of twenty was more of a whimper than a roar.

Top of the Leaderboard vs. Dance Floor Disaster

So, who’s soaring, and who’s slipping? Irwin and Carson, Leavitt and Ballas, and Baldwin and Savchenko now reign at the top.

But, for now, it’s bad news for Feldman and Johnson, Richter and Slater, and the struggling duos who only managed 10/20 — including Chiles and Sosa, Davis and Stewart, Efron and Karagach, and Hoying and Arnold.

A Touching Family Moment

After their show-stopping performance, Irwin and Carson opened up to Entertainment Tonight, and emotions ran high.

When a reporter praised Irwin’s surprising debut, he humbly revealed, “I’ve never moved to music in my life, and that is all thanks to Witney. Honestly, like the best dance partner ever, and like 10 years, 10 years we’re here and we’re back after Bindi did it, and we’re here to go.”

The trio then gushed over a tender moment during the episode, where Irwin rushed over to his sister in the audience to give her a big hug.

“Bindi said, ‘This will feel like flying,’ and now I know that feeling, and I went over to Bindi and gave her a hug, and I was just like, like ‘Yeah.’ It meant a lot. It meant a lot. It was super cool,” shared Irwin of the moment.

Where Was Carrie Ann Inaba on Premiere Night?

As fans delighted in the sparkles and suspense, one glaring absence left a question mark over the night. Longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba was nowhere to be seen.

However, Inaba addressed her absence in an Instagram Stories post, explaining that she was feeling unwell and had to rest. Though she missed the premiere, she assured fans she’ll be back soon and is cheering everyone on from home.

Triumph, Emotions, and One Wild Ride Ahead

With emotions running high, a shock absence on the judging panel, and dramatic highs and lows already igniting debate, this season of “DWTS” is shaping up to be unmissable television.