Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Review: Finally, after a long wait, the highly anticipated reality dance competition show “Dancing with the Stars Season 34” premiere kicked off on September 16, 2025, on ABC and Disney+, and this time it brought together an all-new cast, energetic routines, and unforgettable moments. The show, which Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough hosted, has set the stage for a promising and thrilling competition. The second episode of Dancing with the Stars season is set to be released on September 23, 2025, at 8 p.m. EST, and then every Tuesday we will have new episodes till Episode 11, which will be the season finale, releasing on November 25, 2025.
Judges: Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, & Bruno Tonioli
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Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Lineup
This season has everything that we need. It features a diverse mix of celebrities, which includes:
- Robert Irwin
- Hilaria Baldwin
- Lauren Jauregui
- Danielle Fishel
- Dylan Efron
- Baron Davis
- Whitney Leavitt
- Andy Richter
- Alix Earle
- Corey Feldman
- Scott Hoying
- Elaine Hendrix
- Jen Affleck.
The cast covers everyone, and it showcases the determination and charisma that make the ballroom feel electric.
Robert Irwin Steals the Spotlight
The biggest buzz of episode 1 came from Robert Irwin as he aced the stage with his dance with Witney Carson to Born to Be Wild. The performance was perfect, and it was so polished that Derek Hough called it “the best first dance I’ve ever seen on the show.” Robert also gave a heartfelt tribute to his late father, Steve Irwin, and it added an emotional depth to the performance. He tied for the top score of 15/20 and has positioned himself as a frontrunner.
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Hilaria Baldwin’s Emotional Return
Hilaria Baldwin was another highlight as she took the floor with Gleb Savchenko and shared her story of returning to dance after a hip injury. Judges were very impressed, and they admired her resilience, with Derek calling it one of the best Cha Chas from a mother of seven. Her score of 14/20 was much deserved, and it sets up a strong foundation for the weeks ahead.
Whitney Leavitt and a Scoring Mishap
Tango by Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas impressed the judges, and it also sparked confusion among the judges. At the start, she was scored as 14/20, but then after correction, her final score was corrected to 15/20 after it was revealed that Bruno had input the wrong score. This scoring error quickly added a humorous turn to episode 1, and it proved how unpredictable Dancing with the Stars Season 34 can be.
Other Notable Performances
- Lauren Jauregui, who was seen in partnership with Brandon Armstrong, brought elegance to her tango, and that earned her a respectable 13/20.
- Danielle Fishel’s dance was inspirational, as she was back after battling cancer.
- Dylan Efron also surprised many with his Cha Cha. However, due to the poor timing, he received only a 10/20.
- Andy Richter was good with his entertainment, as he brought humor and charm, but his dance wasn’t appreciated because he received only 9/20.
No Elimination but Stakes Are High
In a rare twist, the premiere ended with no eliminations. But it has been confirmed that next week will feature a double elimination, and this raises the stakes. Also, hosts have confirmed that this episode received double the votes compared to last season’s premiere, and this shows how much fans are loving the new season.
Final Thoughts on the Premiere
All in all, in this Dancing with the Stars Season 34 review, we have seen that with so many talented contestants, this year’s competition is already heating up. Lastly, Season 34 is off to a dazzling start. Fans are already on the edge of their seats debating who might take home the mirrorball trophy.
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