Dancing with the Stars just premiered its 30th season and we’re listing our superlatives based on the opening episode!
The 30th season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars is off to an electric start! Fan-favorite judge Len Goodman is back in the studio, ready to give harsh but loving critiques for this year’s stars. The cast is complete with big names like the Spice Girls’ Mel C, The Bachelor’s Matt James, pop & reality star JoJo Siwa, and more.
The premiere was nothing short of hectic as we were introduced to 15 new celebrity & professional pairs for the new season. The episode made history as the first-ever same-sex dance couple took the stage! Here is our breakdown of this week’s “superlatives” for the show.
Favorite Pairing: Matt James & Lindsay Arnold
Anticipation is always high when it comes to partner reveals, and this pairing did not disappoint. While each couple is a perfect match, it doesn’t get better than Lindsay Arnold and Matt James. The two shone brightly in their blue costumes as they performed an upbeat Cha Cha full of personality. We can’t wait to watch these two become closer as the season continues!
Best Personality: The Miz
WWE star “The Miz” is already a fan favorite thanks to his hilarious and energetic personality. With no dance background, the season may prove to be more challenging for him than some of his fellow contestants, but we know he will perform with a smile on his face every time. “The Miz” also performed a Cha Cha alongside partner Witney Carson, which was the most personality-filled dance of the night. We are looking forward to seeing his future performances, specifically how he will take that WWE energy into the Viennese waltz!
Most Surprising: Brian Austin Green & Sharna Burgess
Did you see this one coming?! Probably the most anticipated pairing of the night was these two, 90210 star Brian Austin Green and his girlfriend pro dancer Sharna Burgess. Rumors have been flying regarding Green’s dance partner since the cast announcement on Good Morning America, and the premiere finally gave us the answer we’ve been waiting for. This season Green will be partnered with his girlfriend, Sharna Burgess, for the entire competition. While it shocked some, many fans are thrilled about this pairing. Will it make for an awkward season? Only time will tell, but this one takes the cake as the biggest surprise of the Season 30 premiere!
Deserved Higher Score: Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach
6 foot 5 NBA player Iman Shumpert shocked us with his electric Jive in the Season 30 premiere. The former Knicks shooting guard had some fancy footwork alongside partner Daniella Karagach in their first-ever performance. The judges did not seem to agree with this as they gave the pair a total score of 21/40. Shumpert is a star to look out for this season, and we’re hoping he gets the score he deserves next week.
Best Costumes: Amanda Kloots & Alan Bersten
Costumes are arguably one of the most essential pieces of a couple’s performance, and there were a lot of good ones. From JoJo Siwa’s jumpsuit to Christine Chiu’s blinged-out gown, it was hard to narrow down our favorite of the night. However, the shimmery purple gown and suit for Amanda Kloots and Alan Bersten’s tango takes the cake. These outfits were sleek and stunning and perfect for the performance. We can’t wait to see what the couple will be wearing next week!
Most Creative: Martin Kove & Britt Stewart
The season premiere had a lot of fun performances, but not very many themed ones just yet. Karate Kid and Cobra Kai actor Martin Kove stood out among his competitors with a themed Paso Doble. From the set to the song choice to the opening monologue, this clearly Karate Kid-inspired dance was a refreshing change that added a little spice to the episode. Although his dance wasn’t quite up there with the rest of the contestants, we hope to see more of Kove and his creativity in the coming weeks!
Best Dance of the Night: JoJo Siwa & Jenna Johnson
Last but certainly not least is the award for “Best Dance of the Night.” While this typically seems like a hard decision to make, JoJo Siwa made it pretty easy for us. The pop singer and former Dance Moms star made history as she is the first contestant to ever dance in a same-sex couple on the show. Siwa and professional dancer Jenna Johnson hit the floor in a funky Quickstep. This dance was so good it made us wonder who the real professional is here! Despite loving her energetic dance and personality, we can’t wait to see JoJo in a more ballroom-heavy style dance in the future.
Season 30 of Dancing with the Stars is already off to a great start, and we can’t wait to see who surprises us next week with costumes, creativity, and the best dance of the night!
