Twenty years in, and Dancing With the Stars has hit a historic moment. The new season of the ABC reality serieshas two co-stars competing against each other on the ballroom floor. Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt have gone from Mormon Wives to competitors, facing off in Season 34, which premiered on Sept. 16.
Affleck, just eight weeks post-partum, impressed the judges with her energy and flair. But it was Leavitt who reigned supreme of the two. At the end of the night, her tango with Mark Ballas got the highest score of the night, beating out Affleck. But Leavitt said the night was about pride, not rivalry.
“Honestly, I didn’t even see it that way,” she admitted in an interview with Parade following the premiere. “I think that both of us wanted to push each other to just give it our all, and I know that she did. She helped me give it my all as well. After we saw each other, we were just freaking out.”
Watching Leavitt dance stirred Affleck’s emotions, even as she was trying to get ready for her own opening dance with partner Jan Ravnik.
“This has been a dream of hers,” Affleck said. “She danced all growing up and even competed with some of the pros here, so the fact that she’s coming back as a star is just so special. Honestly, I did score lower, but I expected that. I’m not a professional dancer like her. I’m happy with my score because it leaves more room for me to grow.”
Many of Leavitt and Affleck’s Secret Lives of Mormon Wives costars were also in attendance for the premiere. “It can be overwhelming and daunting,” Affleck admitted. “So seeing familiar faces in the audience tonight meant a lot. It makes everything more comforting. So seeing them there, it meant a lot.”
And while their offstage projects may have their own drama, Leavitt insists the ballroom feels like a different world.
“Our show definitely has more drama,” she laughed. “Here, everyone’s like a family.”
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the TV section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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