“Dancing with the Stars” Full Recap: 1 Surprising Star Beats Frontrunner Jenna Dewan’s Score While Another Makes Carrie Ann Cry

Colleen KratofilWed, September 16, 2026 at 11:44 PM UTC

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Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik on ‘DWTS’ on Sept. 16Credit: dancing with the stars/instagram (3)

Dancing with the Stars season 35 premiere night, round 2, has officially wrapped!

After a riveting night of dance from the male contestants, the ladies took to ballroom floor by storm. On Sept. 16, the female stars had their time to shine — and just like last night, one contestant was also sent home.

Before we get into the specifics of the night, we’ll quickly recap where we left off. On night one, Conner Leavitt (husband of last season’s contestant Whitney Leavitt) got sent home after his salsa with first-time pro and winner of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro,Adele Zaikman.

“This has been the most fun,” Connor said. “I have the greatest dance partner in the world in Adele, I can’t wait for the world to see her talent.”

Tonight, one other contestant was sent packing. Just like the guys, the gals danced to a top-charting song from the year they were born.

So who came out on top, and which star got sent home? Read on for every highlight of the night!

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 02:26 AM GMT

A Second Contestant Gets Sent Packing

Before Julianne revealed the results, she explained they were based on judges scores and live fan votes. She said the first couple that was safe was Maura and Mark. Next, she named Jenna and Val, Amber and Pasha and Julia and Ezra, who are all moving on in the competition.

When Ciara and Brandon’s names were announced, a long bleep was censored on TV.

Then, Alfonso revealed Sarah Jane and Hailey were the first couple going home, leaving Tatyana and Jan and Giada and Alan safe for another week.

Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey BillsCredit: abc

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 02:09 AM GMT

Jenna Showed Whether Fan Expectations Lived Up to the Hype

Jenna Dewan started her package by naming all the stars she toured with as a backup dancer, including Janet Jackson, Ricky Martin, Justin Timberlake, and said the 2006 dance movie Step Up was when she started acting. “I’m ecstatic to be back with my first love, dance.”

While meeting partner Val Chmerkovskiy, he called her “an icon” in this space. Right away, Jenna said there will be a “high level of expectation” because of her abilities and Val said he’s not going to shy away from her experience in dance. “Let’s do it,” he said.

“I hope I can meet his expectations,” said Jenna. “But ballroom is completely different from my own experience, this is a very hard dance.”

They performed a tango to 1980’s “Call Me” by Blondie looking like two pros on the ballroom floor. The audience got on their feet cheering them on, including her daughter Everly, 13, and partner Steve Kazee.

“It literally had so much power, so much energy, and I think part of that actually, for me, made the shoulders go up a little bit,” said Derek. “It felt a little frantic in places. We have the broad strokes, now look for the fine details. You’re not a Rookie, hate the pun but got to say! I can’t wait to see what you do next, but let’s watch on those shoulders.”

Bruno said it was like watching a “dark movie” and said Jenna was so “in it” she was “on fire.” He said she needs to refine her form, but the performance was great.

“That was a fantastic way to end this night,” said Carrie Ann, before she critiqued Jenna’s form and told her to keep her feet on the ground. “You were dancing a solo at moments.”

Score: 19/30

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 01:56 AM GMT

Sarah Jane Brings ‘Sk8er Boi’ Energy to the Ballroom

Model and reality star Sarah Jane Nader said her dance experience “is pretty much limited to the one eight-count” when she appeared on her sister Brooks Nader’s season two years ago.

When she met her partner Hailey Bills, she explained she wanted to dance with a female partner because “growing up in Louisiana, we were like deep south conservative, and I being a queer person I never saw on TV queer representation and so I wanted to show this is cool and this is okay.”

She chose “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne because “it’s so 2002.” Hailey chose a jive but knows Sarah Janes needs precise footwork. “I have to remember to be light on my feet,” said Sarah Jane.

They started their dance with a skate board prop and after, Alfonso said “the audience is loving that one.”

“Can I just say what we’re all thinking? That was super hot!” said Carrie Ann. But she quickly brought them down to earth: “You were out of sync most of the dance, unfortunately.”

Derek said he can see the potential but wanted “more content” because it took too long to get into it. He also pointed out they were out of sync.

Bruno said Sarah Jane is going to be the “hottest coolest” girl in town, but said the jive needed precision and timing.

Score: 14/30

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 01:44 AM GMT

Maura Shocks the Judges with Her Foxtrot

Love Island UK and The Traitors star Maura Higgins said even though she’s been on reality TV for years, she has never performed, “so I’m terrified!”

When she reunited with her fellow Traitors competitor Mark Ballas, she jumped into his arms. “We already have that friendship that we built in the castle, I trust him already,” she said.

Maura said she has “zero” dance experience and cracked Mark up with her Irish accent. “Please tell me [their team name] is ‘team tink,’” he said.

The two performed a foxtrot to 1989’s “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles and had a prop all Traitors fans will appreciate — a Birkin bag (which winner Rob Rausch bought Maura after he deceived her in the finale).

“You foxy traitor!” Bruno said. “So seductive, so enticing, smooth as silk and ready for the kill.” He said she nailed the movement of the foxtrot. “The movement on week 1, I’ve never seen something like that of that level of quality.”

Carrie Ann told her that was “mesmerizing” and she “told that story” with her “whole body.”

“Well butter my biscuit and call me impressed, that was smooth as velvet,” said Derek. “It really was, it was so sultry.” He added that the expectations are high now. “I want more!”

Score: 21/30

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 01:30 AM GMT

Julia Pays Homage to Dolly Parton

Julia Stiles kicked off her package by pointing out all the dance memes her hit movies brought to social media within the past few years. “Could winning the Mirrorball mean more to me than maybe an Emmy or an Oscar? Yes.”

When Julia met Ezra Sosa, she told him she’s “starstruck” because she’s “always dreamt about” being on the show. She said once she was in movies like Save the Last Dance, she stopped dancing “because people expected me to be the perfect dancer.”

Julia then told a story that’s “imprinted in her brain” when Andy Cohen once said she’s “not the greatest dancer on the planet.”

As they practiced their quickstep to Dolly Parton’s 1980 hit “9 to 5” and Ezra tried to calm her down and keep her nerves in check. Julia then revealed that a few weeks before Parton died, she approved the song specifically for her to dance to. “I’m so honored to be dancing to her music and honoring her legacy and I want to make her proud.”

Their routine paid homage to the iconic lyrics and as Alfonso pointed out right after, the crowd was “on their feet” by the end.

“Andy Cohen, you can eat it,” Derek said. He told Julia she was “absolutely beaming” but he just wants to see her “take off the hand brake” and have more “gusto” and “energy” before telling her well done.

Bruno told her she played the part and danced beautifully, but agreed with Derek, that she needed to fly across the floor.

“It was really clean,” said Carrie Ann and complimented that she’s an “expansive” performer. She critiqued Julia’s arm placement and didn’t extend as much as she should.

Score: 18/30

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 01:11 AM GMT

Who’s Cheering from the Audience?

We spotted Summer House stars Mia Calabrese and Lindsay Hubbard supporting costar Ciara Miller, plus Brooks Nader for sister Sarah Jane Nader, and Rob Rausch and Lisa Rinna showing up for Traitors pal Maura Higgins.

Also in the crowd were former contestants Kaitlyn Bristowe, The Office alum Kate Flannery, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix, JoJo Siwa and Brian Austin Green.

Conner Leavitt, who was sent home on yesterday’s episode, was also in the ballroom to root for the remaining dancers.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 01:11 AM GMT

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Giada Serves Up a Good Score

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis admits she has “no idea” if she can dance and jokes, being judges on her food on Iron Chef was “not fun,” and adds, “so let’s see how I react to being judged on my dancing.”

When she first met Alan Bersten, she walked in with a tray of her sheet pan lasagna. “If her dancing is anything like her cooking, we should be alright,” he said.

Giada explained her daughter Jade really wanted her to do the show, even though she had zero dance experience. “In my 56 years on this planet, I didn’t realize I don’t hear the beat of the music that well, which makes it a little harder to learn how to dance to it,” she said.

As they practiced, she said she felt pain in her quads and feet, “I’m trying to push through the pain that I feel,” she said. “My brain feels like Silly Putty.”

Their tango to 1970’s “Venus” by Shocking Blue started with the judges being served up trays of food before Alan dragged her away to dance and twirl across the room.

Carrie Ann said she was shocked that was Giada’s first dance. “You just showed your daughter what it is to do something that’s scary,” Carrie Ann said. “You did it with class, your lines were sweet and clear, very well defined, I liked this a lot.”

Derek said it “wasn’t a bad first dance by any means” but it felt “careful.” He said the joy of the dance felt great but added, “you have all the ingredients, now I just need you to cook with conviction.”

“It was a very, very nice dish my darling, you just need to blend it a little more,” said Bruno. He said she needs to blend her moves more next time.

Talking to Julianne, Giada broke down in tears explaining why she thought her daughter encouraged her to do the show. “I think she just wanted me to step outside the box and do something that I’m very afraid of doing and try something at my age that I think a lot of us give up on in our 50s, that we’re done,” Giada said. “And I did it.”

Score: 16/30

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 12:53 AM GMT

Ciara Brings Carrie Ann to Tears

“I’ve had a hell of a year,” Ciara Miller said in her intro, the Summer House star was caught in drama when her costrs and ex West Wilson dated her costar and best friend, Amanda Batula. “Drama-wise, this should be a walk in the park. So let’s see if my hips serve me well.”

While meeting partner Brandon Armstrong, he asked her why she chose to be a part of the show. “A lot of my life has played out so publicly but I don’t feel like I’ve gotten the chance to say my part in everything, but I want to say it in a different way,” she said.

She told him she grew up doing ballet, hip hop and a little jazz, but hasn’t danced in 15 years. During some practice spinning, she says she gets so motion sickness, she’s going to try not to get sick in the ballroom.

Their foxtrot to 1995’s Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” was full of elegant waltzes across the ballroom with dramatic spins and dips throughout.

Bruno said the definition of a foxtrot is “sophisticated elegance” and that’s what Ciara had. He told her to keep her lines controlled next time and flow more.

“You made me cry,” Carrie Ann told her. “Cause I can see the pain that you have. I can feel it. That’s the beautiful thing about dance, it gives you a place to express that.” She called her lines “beautiful” and said her dace experience is “all coming back.”

Derek said Ciara needs to expand her frame —”think out, not up” — but he called out the moment she smiled and told her to get out of her head. “You have to believe that.”

Score: 15/30

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 12:39 AM GMT

Amber Heats Up the Ballroom

In her intro, Olympic gold medalist in figure skating, Amber Glenn, knows she has big shoes (er, skates) to fill with the number of other athletes that competed before her on the show. But she said figure skaters aren’t afraid of a challenge: “Bring it on.”

Pasha Pashkov met his partner while she was showing off her skating moves on the rink and joked that he wants a trophy his season, before adding that he does have a trophy at home “but it’s not mine.”

Amber told him she’s most nervous about being next to someone, since she’s so used to performing alone. And during practice, she said it was hard getting used to moving differently, calling it a “drastic difference.”

“My arms are the most challenging part for sure,” she added.

She began her cha cha to 1999’s “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas with lots of arm movements and body rolls before a solo moment with a lot of technical tricks.

“Okay ice queen, I see you, that solo section was spicy,” said Derek. He told her he wants her to dig “into” the floor instead of gliding across it to be “more grounded.”

Bruno said she “attacked” the cha cha and loved her attitude but said she doesn’t articulate through her foot, as he pointed out her technique improvements. “You just need to refine,” concluded.

For Carrie Ann, she said the way Amber “attacks” everything will make her go far. She pointed out she needs to remember her partner work instead of carrying it all on her own.

Speaking with Julianne, Amber said the biggest different from the ice rink to the ballroom so far? The heat! “No, literally, it’s warm.”

Score: 18/30

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 12:23 AM GMT

Tatyana’s Jive Fell Flat for the Judges

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s Tatyana Ali kicked off the night by reminiscing on working with her on-screen brother, Alfonso, on the ‘90s hit show. “The chance to be on stage with him again is like a dream come true.”

Before she met partner Jan Ravnik, she said dance has been the hardest aspect of performing throughout her career. “You guys create magic every single episode, and my kids are old enough for me to be away for a while,” she told Jan about why she wanted to join the show.

After she selected 1979’s “Knock on Wood” by Amii Stewart as her song for the night, Jan said that would go well with a jive routine, which is a harder one to accomplish. “For week 1, the jive is ambitious,” Jan said. “Judges are going to look for stamina. Am I scared? Absolutely.”

Tatyana said this is the “hardest” thing she’s put her body through. “I have like, my mom belly and I’m like, conscious of that while I’m moving but I’m excited to be able to move the way I know I want to in my mind.”

They kicked off the jive with a fierce entry that turned into a joyful performance.

Carrie Ann Inabab started by reminding the room that the judges want to leave the contestants for room to grow with their remarks this season. Turning her attention to Tatyana, she said it was “a bit of a rough start.” She said she got off time and had “a hard time recovering” but she sees a “fierce fire” inside her.

Derek Hough called her a “ball of sunshine” but said her jive was “a little flat” and off time.

Bruno Tonioli said he liked the beginning with her sass, but said, “you just have to keep it going through the dance, baby.”

While speaking with Julianne, Tatyana said she did her “very best” for her two kids, who were in the audience. “We tried our best. The lesson still stands, do your best and don’t give up,” she said.

Score: 12/30

SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 AT 12:08 AM GMT

Twice as Nice

Night two started with a performance from the pros and troupe members to Madonna’s “Love Sensation.”

Then, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough took the ballroom floor to welcome everyone back to night two. Julianne revealed that the first night had the ”highest rated premiere in nine years.”

After a voting glitch last night (which blocked online voting), Alfonso said that website issue has been resolved for night 2.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2026 AT 11:44 PM GMT

Roll Call

The groups dancing the tango tonight include Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten to “Venus” by Shocking Blue and Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy to “Call Me” by Blondie

Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik will dance a jive to “Knock on Wood” by Amii Stewart, while Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills will dance to “Sk8er Boi” by Avril Lavigne.

And performing foxtrot, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas to “Black Velvet” by Alannah Myles and Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong to Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).”

Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa will do a quickstep to Dolly Parton’s hit “9 to 5.”

Finally, Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov will cha cha to “Smooth” by Santana featuring Rob Thomas.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”