The dance floor is open for the 34th time.<\/p>\n
Dancing With the Stars began Season 34 on Tuesday, Sept. 16, with a new cast<\/a> of 14 celebs competing for the coveted Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy. Their performances are judged by returning panelists Carrie Ann Inaba<\/strong>, Bruno Tonioli<\/strong>, and six-time Mirror Ball champion Derek Hough<\/strong>, while fellow Mirror Ball champs Alfonso Ribeiro <\/strong>and Julianne Hough <\/strong>are back onboard as hosts. There is one noteworthy new face in the ballroom, though: Taylor Swift<\/strong> backup dancer Jan Ravnik<\/strong> will take the stage for the first time as a professional dancer, partnered with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jen Affleck<\/strong>.<\/p>\n More from Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Joining Affleck on the list of celebs are fellow Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt<\/strong>, Grammy-winning Pentatonix <\/strong>singer Scott Hoying<\/strong>, NBA basketball player Baron Davis<\/strong>, comedian Andy Richter<\/strong>, actor Corey Feldman<\/strong>, actress Elaine Hendrix<\/strong>, entrepreneur and author Hilaria Baldwin<\/strong> (wife of Alec Baldwin<\/strong>), Fifth Harmony<\/strong> singer Lauren Jauregui<\/strong>, Boy Meets World actress Danielle Fishel<\/strong>, media personality Dylan Efron<\/strong> (brother of Zac Efron<\/strong>), Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles<\/strong>, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin<\/strong> (brother of past Mirror Ball Champ Bindi Irwin<\/strong>), and social media influencer Alix Earle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n This is the 20th anniversary of Dancing With the Stars, which premiered in the summer of 2005. As usual, the scores from the judges are combined with the live votes of viewers at home to decide who stays in the competition and who is eliminated from week to week until one couple is crowned at season’s end. Who are the early favorites? And who will be the first to go? Read on for our Dancing With the Stars premiere episode recap.<\/p>\n Jordan Childs, Dancing With the Stars<\/i> Season 34Disney\/Andrew Eccles<\/p>\n Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa<\/span><\/strong> More to come …<\/p>\n Best of Gold Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n Sign up for Gold Derby’s Newsletter<\/a>. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a>, and Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/span><\/div>\n
Performance<\/strong>: The Olympic gymnast performed a salsa to Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” in a glittering red, white, and blue costume. The routine was full of acrobatic flips and tricks.
Derek’s comments<\/strong>: “Just right out of the gate, all the flips and tricks, fantastic!” But he points out that she needs to be mindful of keeping the integrity of dance and including more salsa.
Bruno’s comments<\/strong>: “I love to see the Spice Girl coming out there.” She did a lot of things well, but some of the dismounts were “wobbly.” Nevertheless, an excellent first performance.
Scores: Derek, (5), Bruno (5) = 10 out of 20<\/strong><\/p>\n