DANCING WITH THE STARS - “Premiere: Night One” - The male celebrities take the ballroom floor, each performing to a No. 1 song from the year they were born, with one eliminated at the end of the night. TUESDAY, SEPT. 15 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT) on ABC. (Disney/Eric McCandless) EMMA SLATER, JACKSON OLSON
Dancing With the Stars Recap for 9/15/2026
This is night one of Dancing With the Stars 35 on ABC. Tonight, the men will dance and tomorrow, the ladies will dance.
As always, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough host while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli judge.
After a fun opening act, we get down to business.
Celebrity: Jackson Olson
Claim to Fame: Savannah Bananas star
Pro: Emma Slater
Dance: Cha cha cha
Song: Wannabe by Spice Girls
Sammi: What a way to begin the season! There is sass, energy, fun and some great moves to boot. He seems to be having a blast. I love it!
Derek: The ballroom is back and he is a natural born performer. He does need some work, but overall he did well.
Bruno: It was brilliant, but he also gives him pointers on where to improve.
Carrie Ann: He has potential to be a crowd favorite.
Score: 5-5-5=15/30
Celebrity: Tyler Cameron
Claim to Fame: Bachelorette star and host
Pro: Sharna Burgess
Dance: Tango
Song: Are You Gonna Go My Way by Lenny Kravitz
Sammi: That technique is incredible. Sharna is back and ready to win, baby! I loved every moment of that between the chemistry, the moves and everything in between.
Bruno: He is pleasantly surprised with his natural musicality.
Carrie Ann: She is beyond impressed with his commanding performance—even though there was a lift.
Derek: He’s giving Patrick Swayze.
Score: 6-5-6=17/30
Celebrity: Connor Leavitt
Claim to Fame: Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star
Pro: Adele Zaikman
Dance: Salsa
Song: Whoomp! There It Is by Tag Team
Sammi: He is giving total dad with his dance, and I am HERE for it! There is fun, cuteness and he can own the stage.
Carrie Ann: It was fun and enthusiastic, albeit chaotic.
Derek: It was goofy and playful but not enough salsa.
Bruno: He wants more hips.
Score: 4-4-4=12/30
Celebrity: Guillermo Rodriguez
Claim to Fame: Jimmy Kimmel star
Pro: Witney Carson
Dance: Cha cha cha
Song: Mr. Big Stuff by Jean Knight
Sammi: OMG, that was hysterical….OMG…..he deserves all those cheers because he is a hoot and so much fun to watch.
Derek: It was spicy and what is lacked on technique, it made up for in style.
Bruno: It was unforgettable.
Carrie Ann: It was super entertaining.
Score: 4-3-3=10/30
Celebrity: Ezra Frech
Claim to Fame: Paralympic star
Pro: Daniella Karagach
Dance: Tango
Song: Since U Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson
Sammi: WOW……he is the best of the night so far….I have no words and no notes! SO incredible.
Bruno: He looked like a leading man.
Carrie Ann: This is why she loves the show.
Derek: It is emotional and he is so strong.
Score: 7-6-7=20/30
Celebrity: Connor Wood
Claim to Fame: Comedian/Podcaster
Pro: Rylee Arnold
Dance: Cha cha cha
Song: I Like It, I Love It by Tim McGraw
Sammi: They are the cutest! He seems to be putting his all into this with the technique and performance as a whole and she just seems like she is having a ball out there.
Carrie Ann: She was pleasantly surprised with this dance.
Derek: They are a double dose of dopamine.
Bruno: They have a wonderful thing going but work on the technique.
Score: 6-5-5=16/30
Celebrity: Taylor Hanson
Claim to Fame: Hanson star
Pro: Britt Stewart
Dance: Quickstep
Song: Tell Her About It by Billy Joel
Sammi: There is something so endearing about these two. He is so into the routine and she is sunshine in the ballroom that it makes it work so perfectly. LOVE. There was one slip up but he saved it!
Derek: That was a great save and while he did well, he gives him some places to improve.
Bruno: It was a proper quickstep.
Carrie Ann: She thinks Len would think it was a proper quickstep and we have to watch for him.
Score: 6-5-5=16/30
Celebrity: Harry Shum Jr.
Claim to Fame: Grey’s Anatomy/Glee star
Pro: Jenna Johnson
Dance: Cha cha cha
Song: Let’s Groove by Earth, Wind and Fire
Sammi: The medical theme is perfect for him. What a way to end the night! Between his moves, the music and their chemistry, this is a top notch performance!
Bruno: He screams over how much he loved the chemistry.
Carrie Ann: He is so electric when he performs and gives him pointers about not over exaggerating the moves.
Derek: He really enjoyed it.
Score: 7-7-7=21/30
Results: Harry and Jenna, Taylor and Britt, Jackson and Emma, Ezra and Daniella and Tyler and Sharna are safe.
The maybe bottom three are Connor and Rylee, Conner and Adele and Guillermo and Witney. The couple going home is…..Conner L and Adele.
Ladies night tomorrow, stay tuned!
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