OPINION: Glam… Glitz… Gone

By Janae Noriega
Bridge Staff Writer
Published Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025

Dancing with the Stars has always been about watching celebrities with no dance experience learn something new. But this season, the fans are questioning if it’s truly a fair race to the finals.

Dancing with the Stars is a show where our favorite Hollywood faces, influencers and public figures take the stage. The twist? They have absolutely no dance experience. These stars are paired with professionals who turn those clueless feet into dancing machines. But this season? Some of these “stars” aren’t stumbling amateurs—they’re practically professionals in disguise.

Running strong for 20 years, Season 34 brings an eclectic lineup: Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, reality TV personalities Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, singers Scott Hoying and Lauren Jauregui, and none other than animal-loving, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin. These are just some of the celebrities battling it out for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, but sadly not all of them are beginning from the same starting line.

As tradition goes, the premiere episode served as a showcase. Each star chose a song that reflected their personality or career, giving viewers a first taste of what they could bring to the ballroom. Some pairings shocked us with unexpected brilliance, while others—thanks to their controversial backgrounds in dance—performed exactly as we expected.

Irwin gave audiences chills with a heartfelt routine, giving us some Easter eggs to the winning debut of his older sister, Bindi Irwin, back in Season 21. The judges were floored; fans couldn’t help but cheer at the energetic callback. Actress Danielle Fishel, of Boy Meets World, was another surprise standout. After bravely sharing her journey as a cancer survivor, she promised to show what she had left to give—and she delivered, leaving it all on the dance floor.

But then came the “ringers.” Hilaria Baldwin, with years of ballroom competition under her belt before a hip injury, looked more polished than a first-week star should, dancing circles around the so-called “rookies.” Meanwhile, Leavitt, of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives—who, let’s not forget, majored in dance—delivered a near-professional routine, looking finals-ready on day one. Their talent was undeniable, but fans can’t help asking: Does this defeat the whole point of the show?

Episode 2 kept the tension alive with a One-Hit Wonder theme. The tangos and jives to catchy throwback hits were fun, but the eliminations were brutal: actor Corey Feldman and NBA All-Star Baron Davis were sent packing. Beginners’ luck? Maybe. Or perhaps a sign that some contestants simply aren’t ready for the long haul. Some say they were doomed from the start against the pros-in-hiding.

If you ask this writer, it’s time DWTS gets back to its roots—taking total non-dancers and transforming them into ballroom stars. The hidden gems with years of training? They’re dazzling, yes. But they take away from the magic of watching someone truly start from scratch and grow before our eyes. Because what do most viewers love most? The journey.

One thing’s certain: Season 34 is already setting the stage for not just fierce competition, but fiery debate—and fans are eating it up. So grab your sequins and popcorn—because whether you’re Team Underdog or Team Ringer, this Mirrorball war is just getting started.