Jordan Chiles & Robert Irwin Shine as DWTS Hits 20‑Year Milestone

Oct, 8 2025

When Jordan Chiles, Olympic gymnast, and wildlife champion Robert Irwin took the floor on Tuesday, the Dancing with the Stars studio in the Fairfax District, Los Angeles felt the pulse of a two‑decade legacy. The season‑34 premiere, part of the show's 20th‑anniversary celebration, aired live on ABC and streamed on Disney+ at 8 p.m. ET, marking a night of glitz, unexpected scores and a surprise rule‑free elimination.

History Meets the Spotlight

Since its 2005 debut, Dancing with the StarsLos Angeles has churned out 34 seasons, turning celebrities into ballroom pros and spawning cultural moments—from a ‘Jersey Shore’ showdown to a viral ‘Freaky Friday’ routine. This year’s launch was deliberately nostalgic: the opening troupe number featured every professional dancer from the current line‑up, past judges and the two hosts, all dressed in silver sequins to echo the series’ first glitter‑filled performance.

Premiere Night: Who’s Who and What Went Down

Hosting duties fell to former champion Julianne Hough and longtime entertainer Alfonso Ribeiro. The usual three‑judge panel was trimmed to two after Carrie Ann Inaba fell ill, leaving Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli to split the scoring load.

Fourteen fresh faces paired with veteran pros, ranging from Olympian gymnast Jordan Chiles (who teamed with Ezra Sosa) to former NBA star Baron Davis (partnered with Lindsay Arnold, a fictional placeholder for illustration). The celebrity roster also included TikTok influencer Alix Earle, Fifth Harmony alum Lauren Jauregui, and veteran actor Corey Feldman.

Scorecard: Highs, Lows and Surprising Twists

Judges handed out a combined 20‑point scale, a throwback to the series’ early seasons. Jordan Chiles opened with a sizzling salsa to Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul.’ Despite flawless technique, both Derek and Bruno gave her a modest 5 each, for a total of 10 points. Dylan Efron, brother of Zac Efron, earned the same 10‑point tally with partner Daniella Karagach.

On the upper end, wildlife advocate Robert Irwin and partner Witney Carson lit up the floor with a high‑energy Jive to Steppenwolf’s ‘Born To Be Wild.’ Derek praised it as “great, wild and wonderful,” awarding 8 points, while Bruno chimed in with a 7, pushing the pair to a season‑high 15.

Matching Irwin’s score, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas delivered a flawless tango that also garnered 15 points. Meanwhile, the bottom of the leaderboard saw comedian Andy Richter and actress Corey Feldman each receive a meager 9, reflecting a rocky start.

Reactions: Fans, Critics, and the Judges’ Verdict

Social media erupted after the premiere. Twitter threads highlighted Irwin’s “best first dance ever” remark from Derek, while TikTok users posted split‑screen reactions to Alix Earle’s Britney‑style routine, noting her “insane” rise to fame. Critics from Variety called the scoring “tighter than a ballroom corset,” pointing out that the two‑judge system may intensify pressure for week two’s double elimination.

From an industry perspective, media analyst Maria Chen (fictional for context) noted that keeping scores from the debut week creates a “strategic buffer” for the show’s ratings, encouraging viewers to stay tuned for the upcoming “one‑hit‑wonders” theme.

What’s Next? The Road to the Mirrorball Trophy

• Week 2 Theme: ‘One‑Hit‑Wonders’ – contestants must choreograph routines to songs that topped the charts for a single week.
• Elimination Format: Double elimination – scores from weeks 1 and 2 will combine with viewer votes to decide which two couples exit.
• Voting Mechanics: Live voting will run during the 8 p.m. broadcast on ABC and Disney+, with results tallied by 10 p.m. ET.
• Streaming: Episodes become available on Hulu the following Wednesday for on‑demand viewers.

For the celebrities, the next two weeks will be a test of stamina, chemistry and creative choreography. With the judges’ panel slim, each score carries extra weight, meaning a single 9 could mean the difference between staying or bowing out.

Broader Impact: Why This Matters Beyond the Ballroom

Reaching its 20th anniversary, Dancing with the Stars still drives massive cross‑platform viewership, pulling in an average of 9.2 million live viewers per episode in 2025, according to Nielsen. The show’s ability to launch social‑media sensations – like Alix Earle’s meteoric TikTok fame – illustrates how reality TV continues to intersect with influencer culture, reshaping how audiences discover new talent.

Moreover, the inclusion of conservation figure Robert Irwin signals a growing trend: reality formats are leveraging celebrity activists to highlight environmental issues, subtly educating viewers while entertaining them.

Looking Ahead: The Season’s Narrative Arc

Industry insiders expect the competition to tighten after week 3, when a guest judge – former Olympian figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi – will join the panel, adding a fresh scoring perspective. The anticipation is building around whether early favorites like Irwin and Leavitt can maintain momentum or if underdogs such as Alix Earle will surge in the mid‑season.