The 14 remaining celebrities on Dancing With the Stars are heading into Week 2 with a completely different challenge as the ballroom turns its attention to viral hits. After a dramatic premiere that featured two eliminations, the remaining couples now have another opportunity to impress the judges and viewers when “Viral Hits Night” arrives on September 22.
The special theme will see the celebrities and their professional partners performing routines inspired by songs and moments that have become popular online. With such a wide variety of music choices, the night is expected to give several contestants a chance to show sides of themselves that viewers did not necessarily see during the premiere.
Ezra Frech is among the contestants attracting early attention. The Paralympic athlete will perform a cha-cha with Daniella Karagach to Flo Rida’s “Low,” giving the pair a very different musical challenge from their opening performance. Frech was also among the celebrities who finished near the top of the Week 1 leaderboard.
Maura Higgins is another contestant entering Week 2 with momentum. Higgins and Mark Ballas will perform a cha-cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September,” following her first-week foxtrot to “Black Velvet.” Higgins has already described Ballas as a “miracle worker” after he helped her overcome a difficult rehearsal period before her premiere performance.
Harry Shum Jr. is also part of the early conversation surrounding the competition. After performing a cha-cha during the premiere, Shum will take on a Viennese waltz with Jenna Johnson to the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris.” His extensive performance background has already attracted attention, making his Week 2 routine another one to watch.
Jenna Dewan is facing her own spotlight as she prepares to perform a jive with Val Chmerkovskiy to KATSEYE’s “Animal.” Dewan, like Shum, has considerable dance experience, something that has already been discussed around the competition. Week 2 gives her another opportunity to demonstrate how that background translates to ballroom technique.
The music choices extend far beyond those four contestants. Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa will perform a tango to Teddy Swims’ “The Door,” while Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess have a salsa set to The Kid LAROI’s “Girls.” Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson will take on a paso doble to Rihanna’s “Where Have You Been.”
Other routines include Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart performing a cha-cha to DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean,” Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik dancing a foxtrot to Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?,” and Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten performing a salsa to Becky G’s “Bella Ciao.” The variety of songs means every couple will have a different opportunity to connect with the audience.
The pressure is also different after the premiere’s double elimination. Conner Leavitt and Sarah Jane Nader were eliminated during the opening episodes, leaving 14 couples competing as the season moves forward. With the field already reduced, every performance now carries additional importance for celebrities hoping to remain in the competition.
And there is already another twist waiting later in the season. The announced schedule includes Yacht Rock Night in Week 3, Mariah Carey Night in Week 4, Dedication Night in Week 6, Horror Movie Night in Week 7, Disney Night in Week 8 and Grammy Night in Week 9, while the theme for Week 5 has not yet been revealed. For now, however, all attention is on which of the remaining 14 couples can make the biggest impression during Viral Hits Night.
Compiled with information from various sources.
