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Alec Baldwin’s Surprise DWTS Cameo Steals the Spotlight as Season 34 Kicks Off
“Dancing with the Stars” season 34 premiered with glamour, drama, and an unplanned headline-maker — Alec Baldwin. The 67-year-old actor appeared during his wife Hilaria Baldwin’s pre-dance rehearsal package and even cut in for a few steps with her partner, Gleb Savchenko. Baldwin’s surprise appearance comes while he continues to face ongoing legal scrutiny tied to the Rust shooting incident in 2021.
Despite controversy surrounding both Alec Baldwin and Hilaria, the Baldwin family moment drew audience attention and set social media buzzing. “She’s a hard worker,” Alec said proudly of his wife, who returned to ballroom dancing after a long hiatus due to injury.
Alec Baldwin’s wife, Hilaria Baldwin, at Dancing with the Stars Season 34
Absent Judge and Big Performances
Carrie Ann Inaba, a fixture at the judges’ table, missed the premiere due to illness. Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli carried the scoring duties as 14 contestants competed in week one, setting the stage for next week’s One-Hit Wonders theme and a double elimination.
Standout performances included:
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Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, closed the night with a fiery jive that Derek called “the best first dance ever.”
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Whitney Leavitt, from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is earning high praise for her technically clean tango.
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Alix Earle, the TikTok sensation, impressed with a sharp, precise cha-cha to Britney Spears’ “Circus.”
Celebrity Highlights
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Jordan Chiles, Olympic gymnast, opened the show with a Beyoncé-approved salsa but drew critique for lacking traditional salsa content.
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Dylan Efron, brother of Zac Efron, leaned into cheeky energy with a cha-cha to “Milkshake.”
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Elaine Hendrix, beloved from The Parent Trap, proved age is just a number with a confident cha-cha.
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Danielle Fishel, Boy Meets World alum, delivered an emotional performance inspired by her cancer recovery journey.
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Corey Feldman and Andy Richter may not have scored high, but their charisma brought nostalgic appeal and laughs.
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Alec Baldwin Back in the Spotlight
While the evening was packed with memorable routines, it was Alec Baldwin’s presence that overshadowed much of the competition. DWTS has long thrived on celebrity drama, and Alec Baldwin’s unexpected cameo reinforced that formula. With Hilaria Baldwin showing promise on the dance floor and Alec hovering in the wings, the Baldwins could become this season’s most talked-about storyline.
The bar is set high for week two, with fan-favorite themes and eliminations looming. As Robert Irwin emerged as an early frontrunner, viewers are already debating who has the charisma, resilience, and technical chops to go all the way.
