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Dancing with the Stars 34 Kicks Off with No Eliminations

9/23/2025

40 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Dancing with the Stars Season 34 premiered September 16 to celebrate its 20th anniversary with 14 contestants.
No eliminations occurred in the premiere; a double elimination is planned for September 23.
Week 2's theme is "One-Hit Wonders," featuring "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega.
In the premiere, judges scored 4 to 15; Robert Irwin and Whitney Leavitt tied for top.

History

Historical Context

"Dancing with the Stars" premiered on June 1, 2005, revolutionizing reality television by combining dance and competition. The show quickly gained popularity, averaging 20 million viewers in its first season. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, it continues to reflect evolving audience preferences and cultural trends, showcasing diverse contestants and themes while remaining a significant force in entertainment.

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Story summary

Dancing with the Stars Season 34 premiered September 16 to celebrate its 20th anniversary with 14 contestants.
No eliminations occurred in the premiere; a double elimination is planned for September 23.
Week 2's theme is "One-Hit Wonders," featuring "Mambo No. 5" by Lou Bega.
In the premiere, judges scored 4 to 15; Robert Irwin and Whitney Leavitt tied for top.

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