by Caitlin Ariel '24 on November 10, 2023
A&E Staff
Arts & Entertainment
Dancing with the Stars made a triumphant return to ABC and Disney Plus for its 32nd season on Sept. 25. Despite initial concerns about its resurgence amid the WGA strike, which has disrupted various shows and promotional activities across all platforms, DWTS roared back with a star-studded cast of 14 individuals hailing from diverse corners of the entertainment world, spanning the realms of football, The Brady Bunch, the Multiverse of Madness, and the most recent season of The Bachelorette.
Week one set the stage ablaze with an electrifying start as the professional dancers grooved to a remix of Dua Lipa’s “Levitating.” All eyes were on the fresh addition: 18-year-old Rylee Arnold, the younger sister of Lindsey Arnold, a former DWTS pro and champion. Charity Lawson, the former Bachelorette, and her partner, Artem Chigvintsev, dazzled the audience with their tango, clinching the night’s highest score of 22 out of 30. Shockingly, despite not having the lowest score, Veep Star Matt Walsh bid adieu at the end of the evening, sparking swirling theories regarding a potential link to the WGA strike.
Week two introduced the season’s first themed night, Latin Night, a fiery spectacle where stars donned sparkling costumes to deliver scintillating rumbas, salsas, and other Latin-inspired fusions. Marvel luminary Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy soared to the top with a sensational performance to Camila Cabello’s “Don’t Go Yet,” securing the season’s highest score of 24 out of 30. Regrettably, the end of the evening also marked the conclusion of another couple’s dancing journey, as Zoey 101 star and Britney Spears’ sister, Jamie Lynn Spears, and her partner Alan Bersten were eliminated after performing a cha-cha to Pitbull, with the judges seeing room for improvement.
Week three brought the much-anticipated Motown Week, spiced up by guest judge Michael Strahan, which naturally meant higher expectations and more challenging routines. Amid these more demanding dance styles, this week also witnessed the season’s first nines, awarded to Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach, as well as Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov. Ultimately, supermodel Tyson Beckford and pro-dancer Jenna Johnson took their final bow, departing from the competition due to a combination of the judges’ scores and the votes from the American audience.
With the competition intensifying, the stars continue to raise the bar, making each week a thrilling showcase of growth and talent. Be sure to tune in to Disney Plus and ABC to cast your vote for your favorite star!
Tune in on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.