Alec Baldwin drew widespread attention after cameras captured a visibly stern expression as he watched his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, make her debut on Dancing With the Stars.
Hilaria Baldwin, 41, performed a Cha Cha to Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud” with partner and choreographer Gleb Savchenko, 42, earning a combined score of 14 out of 20 from the judges. The actor was shown several times in the ballroom, including during rehearsals and in the audience after the routine, where his stone-faced look was widely shared on social media.
The routine marked an emotional return to dancing for Hilaria, who told viewers she had stopped dancing 16 years earlier after breaking her hip. After performing, she said the experience was “very emotional” and appeared near tears as she described getting back on the dance floor.
During an opening segment filmed with Savchenko and Baldwin, Alec Baldwin joked about wanting to “cut in,” then playfully turned to Savchenko instead. He also attended rehearsals and told cameras that Hilaria was a hard worker and that he was proud of her. Three of the couple’s children accompanied Baldwin in the audience.
Judge Derek Hough praised Hilaria’s performance as “the best Cha Cha I’ve ever seen from a mother of seven,” calling the routine “so precise.” Bruno Tonioli also offered positive feedback, saying he looked forward to seeing what she would bring in future shows. Despite the judges’ comments, some viewers on social media predicted she would be eliminated early in the competition.
Fans’ reactions focused as much on Baldwin’s demeanor as on Hilaria’s routine. After the camera cut to the actor at the end of the performance, posts on social platforms circulated images of his serious expression with humorous captions. Some users speculated about his mood, while others referenced past controversies surrounding Hilaria Baldwin’s claimed Spanish background and accent when criticizing her appearance on the show.
Hilaria’s Cha Cha included close partnering and choreography typical of the series’ opening episode. Two couples tied for the top score on the night with 15 out of 20 points: Robert Irwin and partner Witney Carson for a Jive, and Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas for a Tango.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and streams on Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern. This season’s cast includes a mix of entertainers and public figures, among them Corey Feldman, Alix Earle, Jen Affleck, Jordan Chiles, Baron Davis, Elaine Hendrix, Scott Hoying, Dylan Efron, Andy Richter, Danielle Fishel and Lauren Jauregui.