Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Premiere: Highlights, Controversies, and Fan Favorites
Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) has officially kicked off, bringing a fresh mix of celebrity contestants from across various industries—ranging from reality TV stars to Olympians—who are ready to compete for the Mirrorball Trophy. Premiering on September 17, 2024, the first night of performances brought both fan-favorite stars and unexpected moments to the ballroom.
Returning as judges are Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, with Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro hosting. This season is already sparking excitement and controversy, with performances ranging from emotional to downright entertaining.
Fan Favorites and Fresh Faces: Who’s Competing This Season?
This year’s lineup features well-known personalities, including Tori Spelling from Beverly Hills, 90210, Stephen Nedoroscik, an Olympic bronze medalist, and Joey Graziadei from The Bachelorette. These contestants were eager to showcase what they’ve been working on in the studio, with many selecting personal songs as their anthems for their first performances.
However, the biggest buzz came from the inclusion of Anna Delvey (real name: Anna Sorokin), the infamous con artist who inspired Netflix’s Inventing Anna. Delvey, who is still under house arrest and wears an ankle bracelet, received special permission from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to compete on the show. Her casting drew immediate criticism, with Whoopi Goldberg questioning the decision on The View, and co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin going so far as to apologize for comments made about Delvey’s criminal past.
Julianne Hough acknowledged the controversy surrounding Delvey’s casting, admitting that it was “controversial for sure” but also expressing her enthusiasm, saying, “I’m so obsessed with her competing on the show.” Delvey herself addressed the backlash, stating that she hopes to change people’s opinions through her performance.
Standout Performances of the Night
The night wasn’t just about controversy—it was about stunning performances and high-energy routines that left the audience buzzing. One of the standout performances came from Chandler Kinney, star of Pretty Little Liars: Summer School. Kinney performed an electrifying Tango with her partner Brandon Armstrong, dancing to “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan. Judge Bruno Tonioli was so impressed he declared, “That was one of the best.”
Carrie Ann Inaba followed up by saying Kinney had “set the standard for season 33,” making her a front-runner early on. The judges awarded her a solid 23/30, one of the highest scores of the night.
The Controversial Ending: Anna Delvey’s Performance
Closing out the night was Anna Delvey and her partner Ezra Sosa, who performed a Cha Cha to Sabrina Carpenter’s hit “Espresso.” Despite her controversial background, Delvey aimed to show a different side of herself, telling the cameras, “I did serve my time, and Dancing with the Stars is a way for me to show people a different side of me.”
Her partner Sosa acknowledged the pressure, stating, “This is a lot of responsibility to guide her and hopefully give her that second chance.” Delvey’s performance was met with mixed reactions, but Derek Hough remarked, “You actually have the facility to be a really beautiful dancer.” Carrie Ann Inaba urged the audience to judge Delvey based on her dancing, rather than her past, asking, “Let’s all give her that space, please.”
Phaedra Parks’ Powerful Message
Another standout performance came from Phaedra Parks, known for her role on The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Traitors. Dancing a Cha Cha to “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan, Parks told the audience that she was ready to prove her critics—including her own kids—wrong. Bruno Tonioli praised her, saying, “You have all the elements, you can sell it,” while Carrie Ann called her performance “genuinely impressive.” Her score: 19/30.
Tori Spelling’s Emotional Debut
After being hesitant to join DWTS for 32 seasons, Tori Spelling made her debut amid personal turmoil, particularly her public divorce. Dancing a Foxtrot to Pink’s “Trustfall,” Spelling admitted she was “finding herself again” in front of millions of viewers. Her performance was vulnerable, which was reflected in the judges’ feedback. While Carrie Ann described her as “a little timid,” Derek encouraged her by saying, “You can do this.” She scored 17/30.
Eric Roberts: 19 Years in the Making
Actor Eric Roberts, known for films like Runaway Train and The Dark Knight, revealed he had been asked to join DWTS 19 years ago but had to turn it down due to a film commitment. Partnered with Stewart, Roberts danced a Cha Cha to Bob Seger’s “Old Time Rock & Roll”, overcoming a personal challenge. After a car accident left him in a coma, Roberts’ right side is a quarter-beat behind his left, making the fast-paced Cha Cha especially difficult. Despite a valiant effort, his performance had some technical flaws, and the judges awarded him a 15/30.
Conclusion: An Exciting Start to Season 33
Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars has started with a bang, filled with controversy, emotional stories, and impressive performances. As the competition heats up, it will be fascinating to see how the celebrities evolve on the dance floor. From Anna Delvey’s controversial participation to Chandler Kinney’s outstanding debut, the season promises to be one of the most exciting yet.
FAQs
1. Who are the judges for Dancing with the Stars Season 33?
The judges for Season 33 are Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.
2. Why is Anna Delvey’s casting controversial?
Anna Delvey, a convicted con artist, is competing on DWTS while under house arrest, sparking debates about her involvement on the show.
3. Which celebrity had the highest score on the premiere?
Chandler Kinney received the highest score of 23/30 for her Tango performance.
4. What did Eric Roberts say about joining DWTS?
Eric Roberts revealed that he was asked to join DWTS 19 years ago but couldn’t due to a film commitment. He expressed excitement about finally being on the show.
5. How did Phaedra Parks perform in her DWTS debut?
Phaedra Parks performed a Cha Cha to Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman” and received a score of 19/30.
