Conner Leavitt Eliminated in Season 35 Premiere of Dancing with the Stars After an energetic salsa that received mixed reviews from judges, Conner Leavitt becomes the first contestant cut in the show's two‑night premiere, as audiences and panelists weigh in on a season that is set to deliver drama and dance across a broad lineup of celebrities and professional partners. Conner Leavitt, best known for his role in the reality series Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, became the first star to be sent home during the opening night of Dancing with the Stars season 35. The two‑night premiere, which opened with high hopes and some technical hiccups in the voting system, still managed to double the number of votes received during last season's opening episode. Despite the interruption, the live audience and judges had a clear mission: to determine which contestants would stay and which would leave the competition. Leavitt's partner, dancing professional Adele Zaikman, had only danced salsa to the Tag Team hit "Whoomp! There It Is" when the judges paused for their feedback.Carrie‑Ann Inaba commented that the routine "was fun and enthusiastic but a bit chaotic," while Derek Hough added that his partner's hips did not move as effectively as they should have for a true salsa. When the scores came in and the public vote was tallied, Sunday's hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced that Leavitt and Zaikman would be the first duo to exit the finals.Leavitt later thanked his partner and the audience, saying he was thrilled to have shared the stage with a "great dance partner" and looking forward to showcasing his skills to the world once again. The Academy of the show demanded that all eight male celebrities finish their first dances and then face the judging panel and the audience's votes.Following Leavitt's exit, other contestants such as baseball player Jackson Olson, The Bachelorette‑issuing Tyler Cameron and Jimmy Kimmel sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez showcased varying levels of experience and flair. Olson's cha‑cha to Spice Girls' "Wannabe" earned praise for his natural stage presence, while Cameron's tango to Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way" was highlighted by judge Bruno Tonioli for its musicality and potential.Meanwhile, paralympian Ezra Frech marked his run in a tango to Kelly Clarkson's "Since You Been Gone" with a solid performance that impressed Tonioli to the point that he said Frech resembles a leading man on the dance floor. Ex‑football player Harry Shum Jr. finished Night One with a charismatic cha‑cha to Earth, Wind & Fire's "Let's Groove," which Inaba described as electric.With Night One closing, the stage was set for the female contestants' inaugural performances on Wednesday, which will be found on Hulu the following day. Audience members can look forward to a diverse set of dances ranging from a foxtrot to Whitney Houston's "Exhale" to a tango to Shocking Blue's "Venus." The house will also see a quickstep by actress Julia Stiles and an Olympic ice‑skater Amber Glenn in a cha‑cha to Santana's "Smooth. " After the women take to the floor, a second elimination will occur, further narrowing the field and setting the tone for a season of unexpected twists, impressive technical growth, and a showcase of how dance can unify contestants from vastly different backgrounds.Throughout the season, the competition will emphasize not only technical precision but also storytelling, emotional connectivity, and how each contestant's personal narrative interplays with the evocative rhythms of the chosen music. Season 35 promises to continue the beloved format that has brought so many viewers into the house, broken down the barriers between the athletic, creative, and reality‑TV worlds, and provided countless moments of drama, excitement, and unforgettable dance moves.As the cast's journeys evolve, fans will see how perseverance, partnership, and a love for dance come together to create the unforgettable spectacle that is Dancing with the Stars.