The competition on Dancing With the Stars Season 35 is already becoming much harder to predict.
After an eventful premiere, the remaining celebrities returned for Week 2 for “Viral Hits Night,” but the evening quickly became about much more than the music. Unexpectedly low scores, surprising breakthroughs and a little reality-TV drama completely changed the look of the leaderboard.
Several contestants who appeared to have strong momentum suddenly found themselves under pressure, while others used the second week to announce themselves as serious contenders.
Ciara Miller Brings Summer House Drama To The Ballroom
One of the more entertaining moments came from Summer House star Ciara Miller.
Miller took the ballroom floor with a tango to “No Broke Boys,” and she couldn’t resist referencing her own reality-TV history. Her playful comment about having dealt with a “broke boy” added another layer to an already memorable performance.
The routine earned her an 18 from the judges, but it was the connection to her Summer House storyline that gave viewers something extra to talk about.
The Judges Become Much Tougher
As the night continued, the judges appeared less willing to overlook mistakes.
Tyler Cameron impressed with some ambitious lifts during his salsa with Sharna Burgess, although Bruno Tonioli felt the performance relied too heavily on physical strength rather than polished dancing.
Julia Stiles also experienced a setback, falling from an 18 in the previous week to 16.
Connor Wood received similarly direct feedback, with Bruno warning him that he was about to be particularly honest about the problems he saw in the routine.
But the toughest moment of the evening was still ahead.
Giada De Laurentiis Receives One Of The Night’s Lowest Scores
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis had a difficult night.
Tensions had reportedly surfaced during rehearsals with professional partner Alan Bersten, and the pressure appeared to continue when the pair performed their salsa.
The judges were not impressed.
Carrie Ann Inaba described the routine as “shaky,” and the couple ultimately received only 12 points — one of the lowest scores of the night.
It was a stark reminder that one difficult performance can dramatically change a celebrity’s position in the competition.
Ezra Frech Makes A Major Statement
While some contestants struggled, Paralympian Ezra Frech delivered one of the biggest surprises of the evening.
Frech and Daniella Karagach performed a cha-cha and earned 21 points, placing them alongside Amber Glenn and Jenna Dewan near the top of the leaderboard.
After making an impression during the opening week, Frech’s Week 2 performance gave him even more momentum and showed that he could become an important part of the season’s competition.
Amber Glenn also continued her strong start, matching Frech’s 21.
Tatyana Ali Finds Her Rhythm
Tatyana Ali had a very different kind of breakthrough.
Following a challenging first week, the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star returned with a more confident foxtrot alongside Jan Ravnik.
The couple earned 18 points, giving Ali a welcome boost.
During rehearsals, Ali spoke about finding her way back to herself despite the challenges surrounding her. That personal message added an emotional dimension to the performance and made the improvement feel particularly meaningful.
Harry Shum Jr. And Maura Higgins Suddenly Face Pressure
Perhaps the biggest surprise came from two celebrities who entered Week 2 with plenty of momentum.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson had impressed during the premiere and looked like a couple capable of remaining near the top of the competition.
Instead, their score fell to 18.
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas also experienced a disappointing night, earning 19 points.
Neither result means their competition is over, but the sudden drop shows just how quickly the rankings can change on Dancing With the Stars.
The Season Is Already Changing Shape
After only two weeks, Season 35 is beginning to look very different from what many viewers may have expected.
Ezra Frech and Amber Glenn have gained fresh momentum, Tatyana Ali has shown signs of a comeback, while established names such as Harry Shum Jr. and Maura Higgins now have something to prove.
And with the scores remaining relatively close, even a small mistake could have a major effect on the leaderboard.
Week 2 was supposed to be another night of performances, but instead it delivered unexpected scores, reality-TV drama and several major shifts in momentum.
If the first two weeks are any indication, the competition is only going to become more unpredictable from here.
