Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Night 2 recap delivered exactly what viewers want from premiere week: surprises, shaky first steps, standout performances and an early elimination. After ABC’s strong opening-night ratings, the second half of the two-night launch shifted focus to the women celebrities, giving fans a clearer sense of who could become a real contender for the mirrorball trophy.
From Maura Higgins’ sultry breakout routine to Jenna Dewan’s high-energy closer, Wednesday’s episode mixed promise with pressure. It was also a reminder that on DWTS, one performance can set expectations for the rest of the season.
Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Night 2 recap: the women take the floor
The second premiere episode featured eight female celebrities making their ballroom debut, each paired with a pro partner and facing the usual first-week challenge: perform under live-TV pressure while still learning the show’s scoring rhythm. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli praised effort across the board, but the scorecards revealed an immediate divide between front-runners and contestants who may already be in danger.
A major practical note for fans: online voting returned after technical issues disrupted the previous live episode. That gave audiences another chance to influence the results in a week where every point mattered.
Tatyana Ali opens with a spirited but uneven jive
Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik kicked off the night with a jive to “Knock on Wood,” a bold choice for a first dance. The routine had energy and personality, but Ali appeared to struggle with timing early on. The judges acknowledged the rough opening while still spotting potential in her performance quality and commitment.
- Dance: Jive
- Partner: Jan Ravnik
- Score: 12/30
It was the lowest score of the night, but not necessarily a ceiling. Ali showed enough spark to suggest she could improve quickly if she settles her nerves.
Amber Glenn brings athletic control to the ballroom
Olympian Amber Glenn entered the competition with the benefit and burden of expectation. Figure skaters often do well on Dancing With the Stars, and Glenn’s cha cha showed why. Though she looked intensely focused throughout, her body awareness and control stood out.
- Dance: Cha cha
- Partner: Pasha Pashkov
- Score: 18/30
Her challenge now is less about technique and more about loosening into the performance. If she can combine athletic precision with greater ease, she could move into the top tier.
Ciara Miller and Giada De Laurentiis show room to grow
Reality star Ciara Miller tackled a foxtrot with Brandon Armstrong and delivered elegance, even if the routine felt tentative in places. The judges liked the style she brought to the floor, which may prove valuable as the competition progresses.
- Ciara Miller score: 15/30
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, dancing a tango with Alan Bersten, earned praise for surprising the panel despite having no real dance background. Her routine may have played it safe, but it also showed composure and charm.
- Giada De Laurentiis score: 16/30
Neither performance screamed instant breakout star, but both contestants looked capable of building momentum in week two.
Top performances from Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Night 2
Julia Stiles proves she belongs
One of the most talked-about names of the cast, Julia Stiles arrived with long-running assumptions about her dance ability thanks to Save the Last Dance. But as she made clear, movie choreography and ballroom competition are very different things. Her quickstep with Ezra Sosa had a few areas to polish, yet it landed as one of the most enjoyable routines of the episode.
- Dance: Quickstep
- Partner: Ezra Sosa
- Score: 18/30
Stiles’ fan appeal, combined with visible week-one potential, could make her one of the season’s most watchable contestants.
Maura Higgins sets the pace
If there was one true breakout in this Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Night 2 recap, it was Maura Higgins. Paired with Mark Ballas for a foxtrot to “Black Velvet,” Higgins delivered the most polished routine of the night. She moved with confidence, command and surprising ease for a first-week contestant.
- Dance: Foxtrot
- Partner: Mark Ballas
- Score: 21/30
That score made her the night’s leader and instantly positioned her as a serious early favorite. The only downside of such a strong debut is the expectation it creates from here on out.
Jenna Dewan closes strong
Jenna Dewan ended the show with a tango alongside Val Chmerkovskiy, and the performance had all the ingredients viewers expected from someone with a dance background: speed, confidence and sharp stage presence. The judges noted it was occasionally frantic, but the upside was obvious.
- Dance: Tango
- Partner: Val Chmerkovskiy
- Score: 19/30
Dewan may already be one of the most technically equipped celebrities in the cast, which makes her journey one to watch closely.
Who was eliminated on Night 2?
No Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Night 2 recap would be complete without the biggest result of the evening: Sarah Jayne Nader became the first female celebrity eliminated from the competition. Dancing a jive with Hailey Bills, Nader earned a 14/30 after the judges praised the chemistry and energy of the routine but pointed out synchronization issues.
Her exit means the field is already narrowing fast. With only one dance to make an impression, premiere week once again proved how unforgiving the format can be.
What Night 2 tells us about Season 35
Two episodes into the season, a few early takeaways are emerging:
- Maura Higgins is the immediate one to beat.
- Jenna Dewan and Amber Glenn have the skill set to climb quickly.
- Julia Stiles could become a fan-favorite dark horse.
- Several contestants need a major week-two leap to stay safe.
The season now moves into its next themed challenge, with the remaining couples set to perform to viral hits. That should create a very different test from premiere week, especially for contestants still trying to find their confidence.
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Final thoughts
This Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Night 2 recap showed a cast with real range, from raw beginners to polished contenders already looking finals-ready. Maura Higgins owned the night, Jenna Dewan looked every bit the threat fans expected, and Sarah Jayne Nader’s early departure underscored how little margin for error exists in this competition.
If premiere week is any indication, Dancing With the Stars Season 35 Night 2 recap will be remembered as the episode where the leaderboard started taking shape — and where the race for the mirrorball truly began.
