Dancing with the Stars Season 35 kicked off with an unexpected twist.
The hit reality dance competition series kicked off its 35th season on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, with a shocking elimination, as Conner Leavitt and his professional dance partner, Adele Zaikman, were sent home on the premiere night.
Leavitt and Zaikman became the first couple to be eliminated from the new season after performing a salsa to the track Whoop! There It Is.
Their performance earned them a score of 12 out of 30 from the judges, bringing their journey to an end before it could properly begin.
The announcement came after co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro revealed two other couples who were also at risk of elimination, which included Guillermo Rodriguez, who is partnered with Witney Carson, and Connor Wood, who is paired with Rylee Arnold.
Following his elimination, Conner Leavitt, whose wife Whitney Leavitt secured fifth place in DWTS Season 34, expressed gratitude for the opportunity despite becoming the first celebrity to leave the competition.
He also heaped praise on Zaikman, admiring her talent after their brief run on the show.
“This has been the most fun. I have the greatest dance partner in the world in Adele. I can’t wait for the world to get to see her talent,” Leavitt stated.
The Tuesday episode featured the male celebrities, while the female contestants are set to take the dance floor during the second night.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 contestant list
The Season 35 of Dancing with the stars includes:
Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman
Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach
Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold
Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess
Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas
Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov
Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills
Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong
