Now, we’re taking you behind-the-scenes of all the live action from Week 2 of the competition.
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we → take → competition
Around 3:30 p.m. local time, we headed to the Los Angeles set where the dance competition series is filmed to check in and take our places in the live audience.
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series → head → audience
Just minutes after making our way through security, we already secured our first celebrity sighting of the evening: “Glee” star Harry Shum Jr. and his pro partner, Jenna Johnson.
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we → make → evening
The dance pair — who were both dressed in white satin fits — were striking poses for photographers outside while also warming up for their Viennese Waltz to “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.
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who → dress → Dolls
We also spotted Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson greeting some early-bird fans, who were patiently lined up to take their seats in the ballroom ahead of the 5 p.m. PT start time.
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who → spot → time
After a short holding period, VIP guests and general audience members were escorted inside by “DWTS” crew members, where we walked by everything from the iconic skybox (where couples receive their scores from the judges) to the “quick change” area backstage, various production booths and more.
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couples → escort → area
Everyone who scored an invite then had to look around the ballroom for their specific assigned seat — which would mark their final placement for the duration of the live show.
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which → score → show
We scored a lucky floor spot right across the judges’ table, placing us in perfect view of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
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We → score → Inaba
Needless to say, their interactions with each other off camera were just as hilarious and entertaining as you see on TV.
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you → say → TV
As more guests began to take their seats, troupe members entertained the crowd before the contestants eventually made their way into the ballroom for final pre-show warm-ups.
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contestants → begin → ups
Previously eliminated pros Hailey Bills and Adele Zaikman also played a role in the pre-show entertainment by going live on TikTok and giving fans at home a behind-the-scenes sneak peek.
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pros → eliminate → peek
The live taping then began promptly at 5 p.m. PT, with the whole audience cheering loudly and showcasing their best TV smiles as the Season 35 partnerships were announced.
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partnerships → begin → smiles
After the performance wrapped, Page Six spotted Jenna cheering the entire cast on throughout the duration of the show and keeping the energy alive in the ballroom.
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Jenna → wrap → ballroom
At one point, we even caught the “Step Up” star freestyling alongside the troupe in the skybox during a commercial break:
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star → catch → break
We spotted the two locked in on their routine in the minutes leading up to their live performance, focusing on the choreography instead of Ciara’s vulnerable pre-taped interview package.
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two → spot → choreography
The reality TV star — who addressed the “Summer House” drama involving ex West Wilson and former best friend Amanda Batula — received full support from the crowd from beginning to end, complete with a well-deserved standing ovation.
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who → address → ovation
“One time a broke boy ruined my life — or he tried.
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he → ruin → life
But we’re here tonight, so it didn’t work,” Ciara proudly exclaimed following her performance.
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Ciara → ’re → performance
Later in the evening, Guillermo and Witney also had the whole crowd clapping along as they performed a fiery Paso Doble to “Where Have You Been” by Rihanna.
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You → have → Rihanna
One of the best moments in the ballroom, hands down, was getting to watch Val live react to Guillermo putting his own spin on the pro dancer’s signature knee walks as the audience erupted into cheers.
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audience → get → cheers
Val — who was smiling ear to ear alongside the cast after the performance — went viral for his smooth glides across the floor when he was partnered with Alix Earle last season.
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he → smile → Earle
We caught the tail end of his reaction, as seen below:
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We → catch → reaction
The two entered the ballroom just moments before they were set to dance a Cha Cha to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.
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they → enter → Earth
We could tell Maura was feeling the nerves of the live show, but we witnessed Mark, on several occasions, calm her down and hype her up, encouraging her to stay in the moment.
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Mark → tell → moment
She also adorably covered her ears as her pre-taped interview package aired — to tune out the noise, as many celebs opt to do each season.
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celebs → cover → noise
Clearly, it all worked out in her favor, as Maura turned on the confidence as soon as the music started playing.
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music → work → confidence
Toward the end of the show, the celebrities and their pro partners all lined up on stage as they awaited the results of the combined judges’ scores with viewer votes.
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they → line → votes
Co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced three couples who were in danger of elimination: Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, and Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson.
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who → announce → elimination
Ultimately, the couple sent home were Giada and Alan.
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couple → send → ?
Page Six spotted their fellow competitors quickly flocking over to them as soon as the credits began rolling — to console them and share their support before they exited the ballroom.
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they → spot → ballroom
The remaining pairs will move on to Week 3 of the dance competition, a “Yacht Rock”-themed episode, airing next Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, and streaming on Hulu the following day.
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pairs → remain → Hulu
Other theme episodes this season will include a tribute show to Mariah Carey, along with a special evening dedicated to the Grammys, a “Horror Movie Night” and more.
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episodes → include → Grammys
The Aporia
