'Dancing with the Stars' is back! See the highlights from Season 35 premiere

The male celebrities took the ballroom floor first, each performing to a No. 1 song from the year they were born, with one star eliminated at the end of the night. Musician Taylor Hanson and partner Britt Stewart danced a Quickstep to Billy Joel's 1983 hit, “Tell Her About It."

"Glee" and "Grey's Anatomy" actor Harry Shum Jr. and partner Jenna Johnson wowed the crowd with their Cha Cha, dancing to "Let’s Groove” by Earth, Wind & Fire.

"Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Conner Leavitt and first-time pro partner Adele Zaikman danced a salsa to 1993's “Whoomp! There It Is” by Tag Team. However, their efforts were not enough and the two were eliminated from the competition at the end of the night.

After night one ended Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman's elimination, night two saw the female celebrities make their competition debut. Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson were able to relax and watch from the crowd.

After dancing a cha-cha to Santana and Rob Thomas' "Smooth," Olympic ice skater Amber Glenn and partner Pasha Pashkov got positive feedback from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.

Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov received an 18/30 on their dance, which the pro dancer called "a great start" for their partnership.

"Summer House" star Ciara Miller and partner Brandon Armstrong danced a foxtrot to Whitney Houston's "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)."

Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong ultimately earned a 15/30 for their routine, which Miller dedicated to her friends who "held me up in the past year."

"Dancing with the Stars" also introduced its new dance troupe during the two-night premiere, featuring Onye Stevenson, Carter Williams, Jaxon Willard, Kamri Peterson.

"The Traitors" and "Love Island" alum Maura Higgins topped the leaderboard with her partner Mark Ballas, performing an impressive foxtrot to Alannah Myles' "Black Velvet."

Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas received positive feedback from the judges, who were impressed with their routine.

Maura Higgins was shocked to learn she and Mark Ballas earned a 21/30, putting them at the top of the leaderboard.

Actress Julia Stiles made her ballroom debut with partner Ezra Sosa, dancing a quickstep to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5." The song was cleared by the legendary country star before her death in August 2026.

The "DWTS" dance troupe, including Onye Stevenson, Carter Williams, Jaxon Willard, Kamri Peterson, takes the ballroom floor again to show their best moves.

Model Sarah Jane Nader and new pro Hailey Bills made history as the second same-sex couple to be paired on the show. The two danced a jive to “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne.

"The Rookie" actress Jenna Dewan returned to her dance roots with partner Val Chmerkovskiy as they danced a tango to Blondie's "Call Me".

Derek Hough and wife Hayley Erbert Hough performed a routine from their live tour, inspired by Erbert's resilience over the last few years after a health scare.

Hayley Erbert Hough's performance was also inspired by a rose, which was reflected in her billowing red dress.

At the end of night two, hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro had to announce which couple was being eliminated from the show.