The first eliminations of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 have reshuffled the leaderboard and underscored a familiar truth: judges' scores alone do not determine who stays and who goes home. Conner Leavitt became the first male star eliminated, despite not posting the lowest score of the night. His exit, along with that of a lesser-known female celebrity and a new professional partner, revealed how fan bases and online voting can override technical merit.
Leavitt, who is only a recurring presence on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, lacked the dedicated following that often carries contestants through early rounds. His partner, Adele Zaikman, was new to the show, and while professional dancers can bring their own fans, she had not yet built that support. By contrast, Guillermo Rodriguez survived even after earning just 10 out of 30 for a cha-cha that was entertaining but contained minimal actual cha-cha steps. His visibility from Jimmy Kimmel Live appears to have provided a cushion that pure dance ability did not.
The men's competition saw Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson emerge as leaders, a result many fans had predicted. Shum's performance background from Glee and various films gave him a clear edge, though his disco-themed cha-cha to «Let's Groove» was not flawless. He tended to exaggerate his arm movements, a habit that leaves room for improvement. The biggest surprise, however, was Paralympian Ezra Frech, who delivered a strong tango with Daniella Karagach to Kelly Clarkson's «Since You've Been Gone.» Frech took control of the routine and showed he will be a contender as the season progresses.
An online voting glitch on Tuesday night added a layer of uncertainty to the results. It remains unknown whether the missing votes would have altered the outcome for the men, particularly for Leavitt. Given that the other lowest-scoring dancer, Rodriguez, has a large fan base, extra votes might not have changed his fate. Still, the technical failure raised questions about the reliability of the audience voting system at a crucial early stage.
The women's field proved equally unpredictable, with the judges facing accusations of inconsistent scoring. Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas stunned the crowd with a sultry foxtrot to «Black Velvet.» Higgins had never danced before, but her prior friendship with Ballas from their time on The Traitors helped them sync quickly. Her elegant, effortless performance may catch the other contestants off guard.
Jenna Dewan also impressed, reuniting with Val Chmerkovskiy years after they first worked together. Their tango was not perfect, but it felt strong, and the judges seemed cautious about appearing to favor dancers with prior experience. Dewan could become a top contender if she continues to receive fair marks. Meanwhile, figure skater Amber Glenn, partnered with Pasha Paskov, showed beautiful lines and musicality despite not being used to working with a partner. Her three 6s seemed low, and a 7 would have been more appropriate.
Julia Stiles faced similar scoring skepticism. Her quickstep, set to a Dolly Parton song, served as a bittersweet tribute and showcased her acting instincts. She is determined to prove she can dance, and her determination could carry her far. The women's competition remains stacked, yet a lesser-known celebrity and a new pro were the ones sent home, reinforcing the idea that fame and fan base often matter as much as footwork.
As the season continues, the gap between judges' scores and audience votes will likely remain a central storyline. The early exits have already shown that a strong performance does not guarantee safety, and a weak one does not guarantee elimination. For now, the leaderboard is less a ranking of skill than a snapshot of popularity, timing, and the unpredictable power of the viewing audience.