Dancing with the Stars Season 35 enters second week of competition

Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars has premiered with a large cast of 16 celebrity contestants. Following a two-night premiere event that saw the elimination of Conner Leavitt and Sarah Jane Nader, the competition has transitioned to a weekly format.

In the second week, themed ‘Viral Hits Night,’ the remaining 14 couples performed routines to songs popular on social media. Maura Higgins and partner Mark Ballas emerged as top performers, securing a spot at the top of the leaderboard. Other notable performances included Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr., who also received high marks.

Judge Derek Hough addressed recent backlash regarding low scores, stating that the intention is to change the perceived value of the numbers to better reflect contestant growth. Upcoming themes for the season include Yacht Rock, Mariah Carey, Horror Movie Night, and Disney Night.