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Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars was already generating lots of chatter before the first pair of Danskins hit the ballroom Tuesday. First, we got some good news: the popular pommel horse guy from the Olympics was going to compete this season!
But it went downhill from there. Former pro dancer Artem Chigvintsev drummed up some not-so- pleasant headlines for his (soon-to-be previous?) employer by getting arrested after a domestic violence incident. And then there was the blowback from DWTS‘ decision to cast Anna Delvey, the so-called fake heiress and convicted con artist who was the subject of the Netflix show Inventing Anna. The View, in particular, talked some major trash and questioned whether the Russia-born newsmaker ever paid off her debts.
Fortunately, that’s all ancient history now; Chigvintsev isn’t on this season (and it’s doubtful he will ever return), while the women of The View sort of made amends for their comments about Delvey. (Whoopi, she’s paid up in full). As for her court-ordered ankle bracelet? It’s bedazzled now, y’all.
Time to start spinning the mirror ball!
Eric Roberts (The Dark Knight) with partner Britt Stewart. Introduced as a genuine “movie star,” the silver-haired Roberts couldn’t help but sing along to “Old Time Rock and Roll” while attempting a carefree cha cha. Attempt is the key word here; he mostly strutted alongside Stewart but he sure loved to punch the sky. (Kudos for admitting to co-host Julianne Hough later that he was absolutely petrified.) “I know it took us 20 years to get here but it’s a pleasure having you,” said judge Derek Hough. Score: 15 out of 30
Tori Spelling (Beverly Hills, 90210) with partner Pasha Pashkov. It can’t be stressed enough: Spelling is perfect DWTS casting. She also lucked out getting one of the best choreographers on the planet. Though he couldn’t help her execute a decent foxtrot, at least she knows how to work the crowd. “A little shaky, a little vulnerable,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Score: 17 out of 30
Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters) with partner Emma Slater. There’s always that one contestant who’s just a teensy bit older than everybody else. This year, it’s the Die hard alum, who looked rather precious in his grandpa cardigan. His salsa was pretty much stand-hold-partner-let-her-twirl-around-me-back-to-standing, but his colorful expressions made it mucho entertaining. “You have the most amazing spirit,” said Hough. “That was the most compact salsa I’ve ever seen.” Score: 16 out of 30
Model Brooks Nader with partner Gleb Savchenko. The supermodel used to shake her tail feather in a marching band, so her tango wasn’t completely wooden. In fact, Carrie Ann Inaba thought it was super hot. Judge Bruno Tonioli, however, had some problems with her balance. “Sometime you’re a little bit wobbly,” he said. Score: 18 out of 30
Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher with partner Alan Bersten. The charismatic athlete has already demonstrated that she knows how to have fun; in fact, I strongly urge everyone to start following her on Instagram. As for her dancing prowess, Maher’s got her work cut out for her but she’s already got the hip pumping down pat. “I love everything that you are about,” said Inaba about her cha cha. “I know you are nervous. Remember, muscle makes you move. And dance is all about moving. Well done for day one.” Score: 18 out of 30
Anna Delvey with Ezra Sosa: After she was found guilty of grand larceny, Delvey said doing DWTS was a way to show “a different side of me” and “channel everything into something positive.” Sure okay, just show us that ankle bracelet! Bravo to the director, who gave it a big reveal by hiding it behind a shopping bag before giving it a grand close-up. After that, she, um, cha-cha’ed. “You have the facility to be a really beautiful dancer,” said Hough. “Overall, I was kind of surprised and a little lost for words, to be honest.” Score: 18 out of 30
Jenn Tran (The Bachelorette) with partner Sasha Farber. This poor single lady barely had time to mourn that painful Bachelorette finale before she immediately kicked off her DWTS journey. She’s got a lot folks feeling sorry for her, but Tran doesn’t need your pity; her debut cha cha was a real charmer and is typically the case, ex-Bachelor participants always go far in this game. Tran’s set for a while. “Overall, really great first dance,” said Hough. Score: 19 out of 30
Phaedra Parks (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) with partner Val Chmerkovskiy: The reality star was damn near giddy when she discovered she was partnered with a Chermkovskiy. This pairing could provide some really good times this season, as evidenced from her torrid cha cha to “I’m Every Woman.” “You have all the elements,” said Tonioli. “You can sell it.” “I am genuinely impressed,” added Inaba. Score: 19 out of 30
Super Bowl Champion Danny Amendola with partner Witney Carson. Carson, back from mama hiatus, has some experience dancing with pro ballers. She’s good for Amendola, whose tango had some pep and promise for even better days. “I see power, focus, determination. You want to succeed,” said Tonioli. “You led with such belief.” Score: 20 out of 30
The Bachelor‘s Joey Graziadei with partner Jenna Johnson: Donning a cowboy hat and a high wattage smile, Graziadei opened the show with a smokin’ cha cha and the obligatory open shirt. “What a way to kick off the show,” said judge Derek Hough. “If American didn’t already love you they are going to love you more.” “The torso helps, by the way,” added Tonioli. “But you don’t need it. You have timing. You have musicality.” Score: 21 out of 30
NBA Champion Dwight Howard with partner Daniella Karagach. Dude is 6 feet, 11 inches. And he got … Karagach? But we know the girl can kick it with the giants — remember she won with Iman Shumpert in season 30 — and it’s too much fun watching him throw her around like a basketball. “It’s like watching a giraffe and a gazelle dance,” said Hough of their salsa. “The performance is so thick with charisma. Your smile lights up this room.” Score: 22 out of 30
Stephen Nedoroscik with partner Rylee Arnold: So apparently the gymnast can assemble a Rubik’s cube in 8.6 seconds. That means nothing in the ballroom, though. Or does it? The production designer plastered the room with colorful squares as he kicked and cartwheeled his way through a jubilant jive. “That was so much fun!” said Inaba. “I had a feeling you may be agile 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’s had lots of dance classes in her childhood, so her tango was pretty spectacular for an opening night performance. Why was she stuck at the top of second hour? Oh that’s right: the infamous Delvey has to close the show. “What are you doing to me!” exclaimed Tonioli. “You’ve gotta be kidding me.” “That was amazing,” added Inaba. “You have set the standard for season 33.” Score: 23 out of 30
Apparently, the show already received more votes than last season’s premiere. Was it the Delvey factor? Maybe. But no eliminations this week!
