Alec Baldwin offered notes to his wife Hilaria during rehearsals for her Dancing With the Stars Season 34 debut, as she and their partner, Gleb Savchenko, prepared for the ABC competition's premiere on Tuesday night. Savchenko described Baldwin as starstruck by the experience and praised him for showing up to rehearsals and offering feedback, saying he was present a couple of times and even contributed guidance as the couple rehearsed. I was starstruck, he recalled, and added that Baldwin was supportive and engaged throughout the process. Hilaria, 41, responded with a grin, saying her husband “always notes” and that he was quick to share his thoughts when needed, a dynamic she said helped her feel more at ease on the ballroom floor.
Hilaria, who has built a following as a wellness influencer and author, said Baldwin was instrumental in charting the path to her DWTS participation. She explained that the show came onto her radar after days of consideration and a conversation with producers, noting that she had to rally everyone in her large household before agreeing to join. “Do you want to do this?” she recalled being asked days before the call. Her response reflected the logistical challenges of a mom of seven juggling a move from New York City with a spouse who is also navigating a high-profile acting career.
The couple’s decision to pursue DWTS came after a lengthy period of family planning and relocation. Hilaria and Alec Baldwin, who wed in 2012, have seven children together: Carmen, Rafael, Leonardo, Romeo, Eduardo, María, and Ilaria. Baldwin also shares daughter Ireland with ex-wife Kim Basinger. In discussing the move to participate, Hilaria recalled how the family had to adjust quickly: “I have to move seven kids here,” she said, describing the rapid process of relocating and arranging schooling and housing as the premiere approached. “I never thought about doing this show in my life,” she added, but ultimately embraced the opportunity and said the family rallied around the decision.
The premiere also highlighted the couple’s broader plans to manage life across two coasts. Hilaria noted that Alec is expected to be busy with work over the next several months, which will likely keep the couple bi-coastal for a period of time as they pursue both professional opportunities and family routines. The actress and author emphasized that her husband had been encouraging from the start, joking that he might have been the one campaigning for her to take part. “It’s almost like he would have been the one campaigning for me,” she said, adding that the idea felt crazy at first given responsibilities as a mom of seven and the physical demands of the competition.
As DWTS week two loomed, Hilaria said she hoped viewers would take a measured approach to judging her and her partner. She underscored a broader point she has learned from years in the spotlight: it’s important to understand people through their own words and actions rather than press narratives. “I think one of the most important things I’ve learned from being around a lot of people over the past 15 years who are spoken about in the press and by other people is to learn who they are from them,” she said. She added that she avoids reading tabloid chatter about others and hopes audiences do the same with her and her husband, focusing on the performances and the journey rather than negative rumors.
The show’s premiere captured the usual DWTS mix of drama, discipline, and family dynamics, with Hilaria acknowledging the dual pressures of maintaining a public profile while caring for a large family. She explained that she had been drawn to the show for more than a decade and was grateful for the chance to pursue a dream she had not previously thought possible. She described the experience as a “dream come true” and expressed gratitude for the support from her husband and the DWTS production team, who she said were instrumental in helping her navigate the demanding schedule.
Looking ahead, Hilaria said she hopes audiences see her as a devoted mother and a determined competitor who balances real-life responsibilities with the thrill of the ballroom. The couple’s optimism about the weeks to come reflects a broader narrative about working parents managing high-stakes careers in the public eye, all while keeping their family at the center of their decisions. She noted that the decision to join DWTS was a collaborative family effort, and she credited Alec with believing in her ability to succeed on a national stage despite the challenges of travel and time apart.
As week two approaches, Hilaria remains focused on the process rather than the chatter, a stance she says has helped her stay grounded amid the spotlight. “I wish I had campaigned for this earlier because it’s so fun,” she quipped, reflecting a mix of humor and determination that characterizes her approach to the competition and to life with Alec Baldwin. The couple’s journey on DWTS, framed by their ongoing family life and cross-country schedule, continues to unfold as they navigate the balance between celebrity, parenthood, and the pursuit of personal goals.
