# Dancing with the Stars season 35 night 2

> The ladies took center stage in night two of the premiere, with strong performances and a second elimination.
- Title: Dancing with the Stars season 35 night 2 · ABC7 Los Angeles
- Summary: The ladies took center stage in night two of the premiere, with strong performances and a second elimination. Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were…
- Keywords: dancing with the stars, season 35, abc, ballroom dancing, premiere night 2, elimination, tatyana ali, amber glenn, ciara miller, giada de laurentiis, julia stiles, maura higgins
- Source: ABC7 Los Angeles — https://abc7.com/post/dancing-stars-season-35-premiere-night-2-sees-strong-dances-2nd-week-1-elimination/19841928
- Published: 2026-09-17T04:38:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: dancing with the stars, season 35, abc, ballroom dancing, premiere night 2, elimination, tatyana ali, amber glenn, ciara miller, giada de laurentiis, julia stiles, maura higgins
## Night two brings the ladies
The ballroom returned Tuesday for night two of the season 35 premiere, featuring female celebrities performing to number one songs from their birth years.
## Tatyana Ali starts strong
Actress Tatyana Ali and pro Jan Ravnik opened with a jive to 'Knock on Wood,' earning 12 out of 30 points. Judges noted her fierce potential despite a rough start.
## Amber Glenn shows warrior spirit
Olympic ice skater Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov performed a cha-cha to 'Smooth,' scoring 18 out of 30. Bruno praised her warrior queen attitude.

> attacked the dance like a warrior queen
## Ciara Miller finds her footing
Summer House star Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong danced a foxtrot to 'Exhale,' earning 15 out of 30. Judges encouraged her to believe in herself.
## Giada De Laurentiis takes a risk
Chef Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten performed a tango to 'Venus,' scoring 16 out of 30. Carrie Ann praised her for doing something scary with class.
## Julia Stiles shines gracefully
Actress Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa performed a quickstep to 'Nine to Five,' earning 18 out of 30. Derek called it beautiful and graceful.
## Maura Higgins tops the board
Reality TV star Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas delivered a foxtrot to 'Black Velvet,' scoring a perfect 21 out of 30. All three judges praised the smooth, sultry performance.

> smooth, sultry, mysterious and elegant
## Sarah Jane Nader makes history
Model Sarah Jane Nader and pro Hailey Bills performed a jive to 'Sk8er Boi,' earning 14 out of 30. The queer community celebrated their pairing.

> super-hot
## Jenna Dewan brings the tango
The Rookie star Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy performed a tango to 'Call Me,' scoring 19 out of 30. Derek praised her broad strokes and character work.
## Sarah Jane sent home
After voting issues were resolved, Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were eliminated. Seven couples advanced to week two.
## Highest ratings in nine years
Tuesday's episode drew the highest ratings in nine years for the show. Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough confirmed online voting was restored.
## Three-way tie at the top
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson are tied with Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas at the top of the leaderboard heading into week two.
## Viral hits night comes next
Week two's theme is viral hits night. The show airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and Disney Plus.
## Key takeaway

Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills were eliminated after night two, while Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas topped the leaderboard with a flawless foxtrot.