Conner Leavitt Eliminated in 'Dancing With the Stars' Premiere Shock
Leavitt and his partner, Adele Zaikman, were the first couple sent home as Season 35 kicked off with a competitive premiere night.
Conner Leavitt became the first contestant eliminated from Season 35 of "Dancing With the Stars" during the show's premiere night. Leavitt and his professional partner, Adele Zaikman, were sent home Tuesday after the first live performance episode.
"This has been the most fun. I have the greatest dance partner in the world in Adele. I can’t wait for the world to get to see her talent," Leavitt said after his elimination. Whitney Leavitt, Conner's wife and a contestant from the previous season, finished in fifth place.
Zaikman, who earned her professional partner spot through the competition series "Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro," expressed her excitement about performing in the ballroom, calling it "a dream come true."
Co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced the elimination after revealing two other couples were in danger: Guillermo Rodriguez with Witney Carson, and Connor Wood with Rylee Arnold.
Leavitt and Zaikman performed a Salsa to Tag Team's "Whoop! There It Is," receiving a score of 12 out of 30. The premiere night theme featured male celebrities dancing to a number one song from the year of their birth.
Other notable performances included "Glee" alum Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, who topped the leaderboard with a Cha Cha to Earth, Wind & Fire's "Let's Groove," earning a score of 21 out of 30. Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach received a 20 out of 30 for their Tango to Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone."
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess earned a 17 out of 30 for their Tango to Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way." Meanwhile, Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold's Cha Cha to Tim McGraw's "I Like It, I Love It" scored 16 out of 30, the same score received by Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart for their Quickstep to Billy Joel's "Tell Her About It."
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater's Cha Cha to the Spice Girls' "Wannabe" garnered a 15 out of 30. Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson's Cha Cha to Jean Knight's "Mr. Big Stuff" received the night's lowest score of 10 out of 30.
Carson had previously expressed enthusiasm for her partnership with Rodriguez, telling Page Six that he is "everything you want him to be," highlighting his humor and work ethic. She also discussed her initial hesitation about competing while pregnant with her third child, noting that the challenge has motivated her.
"DWTS" will continue its two-night premiere event on Tuesday with the female celebrities and their partners performing songs from their birth years. New episodes will air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with streaming available on Hulu the following day.