It’s a Tuesday night at 7:58 p.m. You and your friends gather around the TV, quickly logging into Disney Plus and pressing play. When the clock hits 8:00 p.m. and you hear the theme song start to play, nothing else matters other than the ballroom floor. This moment of anticipation is one of the things that gets me through the week. A new Dancing with the Stars episode is truly the cure for stress, a bad mood or even just a long day.
One of the things that makes this show so appealing is the journey contestants go on. If you haven’t watched the show yet (how have you not?!), each star is paired with a professional dancer who will choreograph and teach a new dance every single week. There is a wide variety of styles, including the cha cha, jive, foxtrot and more. It is the goal of each pro to make the star as well-versed in ballroom dance as possible in an extremely short time. The stars come from a wide array of backgrounds, from this season’s con artist Anna Delvey to TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, winner of season 31.
While some stars already have years of dance experience under their belt, for some it is a completely new experience. This season’s Ilona Maher, a 2024 Olympian, is no stranger to the rugby field, but she has never set foot on a dance floor. We have watched her improve significantly over these past few weeks, and truly turn into a dancer. With the help of her partner, Alan Bersten, Ilona has gone through many ups and downs, but she symbolizes the power of dance and how it can transform your confidence.
Another aspect I love about “Dancing with the Stars” is the bonding experience it gives fans. These past few weeks, my TikTok “For You” page has been flooded with videos predicting who is going home next, analyzing dances and figuring out voting strategies to keep our favorites in the competition. Reginald VelJohnson was one of the most loved contestants this season. Although he was on the older side of the competition, and he wasn’t able to dance as much as the rest of the contestants, fans on social media obsessed over him and his willingness to put himself out there and try new things.
Finally, it is the bond between the stars and pros that keeps us coming back for more every episode. Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko’s not-so-secret romance, or should I say showmance, was a hot topic this season for many fans to discuss. Love it or hate it, we were invested. However, the partnership between Rylee Arnold and Stephen Nedoroscik has been one of my favorite parts of this season. Their energies match each other perfectly, and it is so amazing to see how they have grown; Arnold is a newer pro, and Nedoroscik is a newcomer to the ballroom. Their TikToks never fail to brighten my day.
“Dancing with the Stars” is a show I will continue to watch season after season. Every episode brings something new, and it is so refreshing to see someone try something new and succeed. As a dancer myself, I love seeing how this show makes dance accessible for everyone, no matter where your interests lie. My rating is a 10!
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