Dancing With the Stars night 2 had plenty of high quality performances, putting the female celebrities in the spotlight. The two-night premiere gives each group a chance to take the ballroom floor before one couple is eliminated each night.
The theme for the opening week is nostalgia, with the celebrities performing to No. 1 songs from the year they were born. After Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were eliminated on Night 1, the remaining couples faced their first chance to impress the judges and viewers.
Here’s a look at every performance from Dancing With the Stars Night 2.
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Dancing With The Stars Night 2: Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik
Tatyana Ali and professional partner Jan Ravnik opened Night 2 with a jive to Amii Stewart’s “Knock on Wood.” The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actress brought plenty of energy to the ballroom, although the judges felt there was room for improvement.
Carrie Ann Inaba described the performance as a rough start but said she saw a fierce quality developing in Ali. Derek Hough emphasized how much contestants have to learn during the first week, while Bruno Tonioli praised Ali’s talent and encouraged her to keep working.
Score: 12/30
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov
Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn took on the cha cha with Pasha Pashkov, performing to Santana and Rob Thomas’ “Smooth.” Glenn attacked the routine with confidence, showing the athleticism and performance ability she developed as a skater.
Derek praised her awareness of her body and the space around her, while Bruno loved her attitude and commitment to the performance. Carrie Ann reminded Glenn that ballroom dancing requires her to work as part of a duo with Pasha.
Score: 18/30
Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong
Summer House star Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong performed a foxtrot to Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).” The routine gave Miller an opportunity to showcase a softer and more elegant side of her performance style.
Bruno praised her fit with the sophisticated nature of the foxtrot, while Carrie Ann encouraged Miller to trust herself and let her emotions show. Derek also saw potential and encouraged her to stay focused during rehearsals.
Score: 15/30
Dancing With The Stars Night 2: Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten
Television chef Giada De Laurentiis stepped onto the ballroom floor with Alan Bersten for a tango to Shocking Blue’s “Venus.” De Laurentiis faced the challenge of learning a completely new discipline while embracing the nerves that came with performing live.
Carrie Ann praised her for taking on something difficult and setting an example for her daughter. Derek wanted to see more power and confidence, while Bruno encouraged De Laurentiis to connect the individual steps into a complete performance.
Score: 16/30
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa took on the quickstep with a performance to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5.” Stiles brought a bright energy to the routine, earning positive feedback from all three judges.
Derek called the performance beautiful and graceful but encouraged Stiles to attack the choreography with more energy. Bruno praised her ability to stay in character, while Carrie Ann called her radiant and felt the routine was clean overall.
Score: 18/30
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas
Maura Higgins delivered one of the night’s strongest performances with professional partner Mark Ballas. The reality star performed a foxtrot to Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet,” earning three 7s from the judges.
Bruno praised the quality and smoothness of the movement, while Carrie Ann described the performance as mesmerizing. Derek also highlighted the routine’s smooth, sultry and elegant qualities.
Score: 21/30
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills brought a high-energy jive to the ballroom with Avril Lavigne’s “Sk8er Boi.” Their partnership also marked a significant moment for the show, with Nader becoming part of a same-sex celebrity-pro pairing.
Carrie Ann praised the performance’s energy, while Derek pointed to its potential but said Nader needed more content and synchronization. Bruno enjoyed her attitude but felt her timing needed more consistency.
Score: 14/30
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy
Jenna Dewan closed out Night 2 with a tango alongside Val Chmerkovskiy. The pair danced to Blondie’s “Call Me,” with Dewan bringing her own dance background and performance experience to the ballroom.
Derek praised Dewan’s approach to the tango but challenged her to focus on the finer details. Bruno liked her commitment to the character but wanted her to work on her shoulders. Carrie Ann also called out a lift in the routine.
Score: 19/30
Who Goes Home on Dancing With the Stars Night 2?
The second elimination of the Season 35 premiere came at the end of Night 2. After viewer votes were combined with the judges’ scores, Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were eliminated from the competition.
The couples who were safe included Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa, Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik, and Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten.
With the two-night premiere now complete, the competition moves into Week 2, which will feature a viral hits theme. Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson and Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas enter the next week tied at the top of the leaderboard.
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