The Ballroom Is Back: 3 Things to Watch in the Two-Night ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 Premiere

Season 35 of “Dancing With the Stars” is set to kick off with a special two-night premiere featuring a new lineup of celebrity contestants, professional dancers and plenty of live performances.

From cha-chas and tangos to salsas and quicksteps, the celebrity-pro dancer pairs will take the ballroom floor for the first time as they begin their journey toward the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.

The two-night premiere airs Tuesday, Sept. 15, and Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.

Here are three major things to watch during the season-opening event.

1. Each Couple Will Dance on Only One Night

Unlike a traditional premiere, each couple will compete during only one of the two nights.

The male celebrity contestants will perform on Tuesday night, while the female celebrity contestants will make their debuts on Wednesday.

Adding another unique element to the premiere, each couple will perform to a No. 1 song from the celebrity’s birth year.

Tuesday's lineup includes Paralympic gold medalist Ezra French, who will perform a tango to Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” with professional partner Daniella Karagach.

“Savannah Bananas” star Jackson Olson will perform a cha-cha with Emma Slater to the Spice Girls hit “Wannabe.”

On Wednesday, reality star Ciara Miller will perform a foxtrot with Brandon Armstrong to Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop).”

Film and television star Julia Stiles will take on a quickstep with Ezra Sosa, performing to Dolly Parton’s classic “9 to 5.”

2. The Premiere Will Feature a Double Elimination

The competition will become intense immediately this season.

For the first time in several years, the season premiere will feature two eliminations.

One male celebrity contestant will be eliminated following Tuesday night’s performances, while one female celebrity contestant will be sent home after Wednesday’s show.

That means contestants will have very little time to make an impression on both the judges and viewers.

3. New Professional Dancers Enter the Ballroom

Season 35 will also introduce new faces to the professional lineup.

Adele Zaikman will make her professional debut with Connor Leavitt, who is married to “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt.

Zaikman earned her spot after winning the inaugural season of “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro.” She claimed the Mirrorball Trophy in the show's Aug. 31 finale after performing with former celebrity contestant Nev Schulman.

Hailey Bills is also making her debut as a professional dancer. She previously appeared as part of the troupe during season 34 and also competed on “Dancing With the Stars: Juniors.”

Bills will partner with Sarah Jane Nader of the reality series “Love Thy Nader.”

Meanwhile, longtime professional dancer Sharna Burgess is returning to the show for the first time since season 30 in 2021.

How to Watch and Vote

Fans can watch the two-night live premiere on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available to stream on Hulu the following day.

Voting will take place during each live episode and will be limited to the contestants performing that night.

Tuesday’s voting will be open for couples featuring male celebrities, while Wednesday’s voting will be available for the female celebrity contestants.

Viewers in the U.S., its territories and Canada can vote online during the live shows. Fans using participating U.S. wireless carriers can also vote via text message, although SMS voting is not available to viewers in Canada.

Viewer votes will be combined with the judges’ scores to determine which couples advance and which contestants are eliminated.

Returning to the ballroom are co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough return to the judging panel.

With new celebrities, new professionals and an early double elimination, the 35th season promises to bring plenty of excitement from the very first night.

W