Dancing with the Stars season 34 that witnessed a fantastic premiere night have finally sees its first two eliminations.
On September 16, the ABC hit returned with 14 celebrity–pro dancer pairings bringing glitz, glamour, and Latin ballroom numbers to the stage.
Hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro stated on the first day that no one would be eliminated during the premiere, giving contestants a chance to settle into the competition.
By the second week, however, the pressure intensified. The September 23 episode themed as “One-Hit Wonders Night” included a dramatic double elimination.
NBA star Baron Davis and partner Britt Stewart was the first to go. After a premiere cha cha to MC Hammer’s Can’t Touch This, which earned him a 10/20, Davis returned with a samba to Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison.
Despite his energy, a late mistake cost him, and the duo exited with an 18/30.
Davis admitted he had hoped to win for Stewart. He added, “I haven’t been coached in a while, so to get off my b*** was awesome.”
On the other hand, former child actor Corey Feldman and pro Jenna Johnson were also sent home.
Their week-one tango earned a 9/20, and their week-two cha cha to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s Baby Got Back scored 15/30.
Judges praised his enthusiasm, but Feldman admitted he felt he let Johnson down. He expressed, “I feel really terrible because she deserved better,” he said. “She deserves to be the champ every year in my book.”
With two stars gone, the race for the mirrorball trophy is officially heating up.
