Tonight on ABC the glitz and the glimmer finally returns to the ballroom as Dancing With The Stars when season 30 episode 1 premiere of DWTS airs! We have your all-new Monday, September 20, 2021, season 30 episode 1 Dancing With The Stars recap below! On tonight’s DWTS Season 30 episode 1 “Premiere 2021,” as per the ABC synopsis, “Dancing with the Stars” returns for another star-studded season with a new, notable, and energetic cast of 15 celebrities who are ready to bring their sparkle and shimmy to the ballroom.
Throughout the first evening, the celebrity and pro duos will perform the time-honored dances that include the Quickstep, Paso Doble, Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Jive, Salsa, or Tango.”
Make sure to bookmark this spot and come back from 8 PM – 10 PM ET for our Dancing With The Stars recap. While you wait for our recap make sure to head over and check out all our DWTS recap, spoilers, news & videos, right here!
Tonight’s Dancing With The Stars recap episode begins now – Refresh Page often to get the most current updates!
Tonight’s episode begins with Tyra Banks welcoming fans to season 30 of Dancing with The Stars. Our DWTS judges are back; Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.
Spice Girl Melanie C dancing the Cha Cha to “Wannabe” by Spice Girls with her partner, Gleb Savchenko.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “I am so happy to be back, it is fantastic. You have danced that absolutely terrific I thought. Great choreography and a great performance. First out, first-class.” Carrie Ann: “All my dreams have come true, you are my favorite spice girl. You are so good, very clean and tight, the first one out, amazing.” Bruno: “Thank you for spicing up my life, and spicing up that dance, you know what you are doing. Your foot placement, how you used the back of your knee, great. So good to have you.” Derek: “It is an absolute honor to have you in this ballroom, I am a huge fan. That was so clean, so precise, you have incredible legs. Moving forward, a balance between straightening your legs and being grounded on the floor will give you a little more power. Well done, so good.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Len: 7, Derek: 6, Bruno: 7 = 27/40
WWE superstar The Miz (“Miz & Mrs.”) dancing the Cha Cha to “Butter” by BTS with his partner, Witney Carson.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “Miz, better than expected.” Carrie Ann: “Miz, you were incredible, the energy that came out of you was ridiculous. There were a few moves where you hit it too hard.” Bruno: “Witney, you tamed the beast, what is going on here, I was expecting mayhem. A well-oiled machine, very impressed.” Derek: “The Miz, he meant biz. Witney, it is so good to have you back. I was really surprised, you were flowing and glowing. Great job.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 6, Len: 6, Derek: 6, Bruno: 6 = 24/40
NBA basketball star Iman Shumpert (“We Got Love Teyana and Iman”) dancing the Jive to “Hey Ya!” by Outkast with his partner, Daniella Karagach.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “I thought it was all too casual, it was too lose the technique was poor, but it was fun and entertaining.” Carrie Ann: “You are the fly guy of season 30, that was ridiculous. I have never seen a dive like that, especially not in episode one. You were stylish and smooth.” Bruno: “You were very nimble and light on your feet, you have to work on your feet. A great debut.” Derek: “I love that you looked so comfortable out there, you were in your element and had a great time. I agree with Len about the content, but great first week.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Len: 4, Derek: 5, Bruno: 5 = 21/40
Influencer Olivia Jade dancing the Salsa to “Juice” by Lizzo with her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “Salsa is a club dance, it could have been spicier but it was clean, clear, and polished, well done.” Carrie Ann: “Olivia, well done, I am so proud of you, it is a start of a new chapter in your life. I Love the way you came out with so much confidence and you were sure of yourself. Great lines and great legs, I am excited.” Bruno: “You have taken to it like a duck to water, just a little more spice, talk to Melanie, she has plenty.” Derek: “You have so much potential, you are such a great performer. Watch the shoulders, it would elevate your game. What a great first dance.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Len: 6, Derek: 6, Bruno: 6 = 25/40
Country singer Jimmie Allen dancing the Tango to “The Way I Are” by Timbaland ft. Keri Hilson, D.O.E. with his partner, Emma Slater.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “This dance does not suit your personality, there is a lot more talent in there, you have great potential.”Carrie Ann: “Great job first time. It is a very tough dance, you started off great though.” Bruno: “Did you manage to keep the tango on track, it is a very difficult dance. There were some good moments, but it was uneven, you could be very good.” Derek: “That was an incredible week one frame, keep it consistent, you have it. Great tango.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 6, Len: 5, Derek: 6, Bruno: 5 = 22/40
TV and film actress Melora Hardin (“The Bold Type”) dancing the Tango to “Simply Irresistible” by Robert Palmer with her partner, Artem Chigvintsev.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “I liked it, there was no messing, no stressing, you just came out and danced, well done.” Carrie Ann: “You brought the drama to that dance and the beautiful lines. You had the extension, the grace, and the velocity of spirit.” Bruno: “My darling, you rocked that. Great lines, great placement, but you lose balance. Get your core going, but brilliant.” Derek: “Let’s go, oh my gosh that was unbelievable. I am blown away, it had light and shade, you had control. We are keeping an eye on you girl.” Scores: Carrie Ann 7, Len: 6, Derek: 7, Bruno: 6 = 26/40
Olympic gymnast Suni Lee dancing the Jive to “Stay” by The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber with her partner, Sasha Ferber.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “Dance is a mix, between neat and precise, freedom and flare and when it is great, that goes together. This was right on the button, but it needed to be a bit freer. Well done.” Carrie Ann: “You are incredible. With the skills you have, you are perfect for ballroom dancing. But, don’t prepare. You are amazing.” Bruno: “My golden girl, you can jive baby. Those kicks, the precision, the placement but don’t look at the form, learn to perform.” Derek: “A little less perfection and little more reflection.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Len: 7, Derek: 7, Bruno: 7 = 28/40
Celebrity Fitness Guru Cody Rigsby dancing the Tango to “Physical” by Dua Lipa with his partner, Cheryl Burke.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “You have a great presence, stop looking down at the bike. You are one to watch.” Carrie Ann: “I see what the hype is all about, you are fabulous and have great energy, however, were you nervous, you were really tight. You need to relax, you really have the moves.” Bruno: “Great wide, on and off the bike. Love the attitude, you will be great.” Derek: “You were so much fun, a blast, you are going to be amazing.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 6, Len: 6, Derek: 6, Bruno: 6 = 24/40
Talk show co-host of “The Talk” Amanda Kloots dancing the Tango to “Dance Again” by Jennifer Lopez, Pit Bull with her partner, Alan Bersten.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “That was full of tango content, it had an attack, it had confidence, a little more bit body contact here and there, the feet could have been a little crisper, however, but that was a really great first dance.” Carrie Ann: “You brought tears to my eyes, I know what you have been through. You were nothing but elegant and beautiful, like an angel.” Bruno: “You belong here, that was beautiful. You managed to put so many details. You’ve got it all.” Derek: “Dancing is the best way to reclaim your joy and I am so glad to see you out there dancing. Your fitness, your frame, you hit every step. Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Len: 7, Derek: 7, Bruno: 7 = 28/40
Actor Martin Kove (“Cobra Kai”) dancing the Paso Doble to “You’re The Best” by Joe “Bean” Esposito with his partner Britt Stewart.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “For someone in their seventies, I thought you came out and did a really gallant effort, well done.” Carrie Ann: “I hope you are all taking notes on what commitment to character looks like. It was not much paso doble.” Bruno: “I thought it was going to be a blockbuster, you need to work on the content. Clean up the script before we go into full production.” Derek: “Cobra Kai forever. You were a little unprepared, I think next week put in the hours and be more competitive.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 4, Len: 3, Derek: 3, Bruno: 3 = 13/40
Real Housewife Kenya Moore (“The Real Housewives of Atlanta”) dancing the Foxtrot to “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA with her partner, Brandon Armstrong.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “I liked the nice fluidity through the arms, it had a charm and sophistication that you want to see in a foxtrot, well done.” Carrie Ann: “You look like a queen out there, you are refined and relaxed, well done.” Bruno: “It was like watching Venus emerging from a kiss. Classic, luxurious, you move very well. Keep extending those lines.” Derek: “So much potential, this is week one, I can’t wait to see what you going to do on this show, beautiful.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 7, Len: 6, Derek: 6, Bruno: 7 = 26/40
Reality star Christine Chiu (“Bling Empire”) dancing the Tango to “Glamorous” by Fergie, Ludacris with her partner, Pasha Pashkov.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “It was sharp, I liked the routine, you had great control. Overall, a terrific effort, well done.” Carrie Ann: “Bling, bling in the house. You are like a diamond in the rough, your back is beyond. You are a little inconsistent, but it is still early.” Bruno: “My queen of bling, you are a gem. A little more polish and you will achieve pure brilliance.” Derek: “I love that dress. Really good, the frame was beautiful.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 6, Len: 7, Derek: 6, Bruno: 6 = 25/40
Matt James (“The Bachelor”) dancing the Cha Cha to “Give It To Me Baby” by Rick James with his partner, Lindsay Arnold.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “I would have liked to see a little more hip action, that was lacking. Work hard, your future is going to be rosy.” Carrie Ann: “I love the way you use the space, you dance big, and the body rolls, A-plus.” Bruno: “These guys got plenty to give and you did deliver. Natural stage presence, if you get the wrong footwork you won’t have the right hip action.” Derek: “Great job, turn your feet out, work on those. So charismatic, great performer.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 6, Len: 6, Derek: 6, Bruno: 6 = 24/40
TV actor Brian Austin Green (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) dancing the Foxtrot to “Skate” by Bruno Mars, Anderson.Paak, Silk Sonic with his dancing partner, Sharna Burgess.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “Work on your feet, they weren’t really good. This competition is developing into something special, well done.” Carrie Ann: “I like seeing Sharna so happy. You are staring at her most of the dance, a little less reliant on her.” Bruno: “I am sensing some strong sizzling chemistry. You are prince charming out there.” Derek: “That was so good man, there was an ease to you, great job.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 6, Len: 6, Derek: 6, Bruno: 6 = 24/40
Popstar and dancer JoJo Siwa dancing the Quickstep to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl?” by Jet and her partner, Jenna Johnson.
Judges’ Comments: Len: “Full of attack, full of enthusiasm, you lost a little control but what an entertaining performance.” Carrie Ann: “That was amazing, you lifted your partner when she slipped, you didn’t even blink an eye.” Bruno: “Finally, the groundbreaking moment we have all been waiting for and I am full of joy for everyone. I love to see the freedom of expression, well done.” Derek: “You were born for Dancing with the Stars.” Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Len: 7, Derek: 7, Bruno: 7 = 29/40
THE END!