Season 21 of "Dancing with the Stars" kicked off Monday night with all 13 celebrities and their pro partners as they performed their first dance of the season in hopes of winning the Mirror Ball Trophy. Hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews were back for the new season, as well as judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
After the first night of the season, two celebrities tied for the top spot on the leaderboard, and one of the celebrities, who was a surprise addition to the competition, impressed the judges with his graceful first dance.
Here are the scores and reviews for each dance:
Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess
Dance: Cha-cha, "I Don't Like It, I Love It"
Score: 24 (out of 30)
Burgess was flustered after meeting Carter for the first time, and she told him that as a 13-year old, his face was literally on every poster in her room. The Backstreet Boy member admitted that dancing was not one of his strengths, but he impressed the judges with his cha-cha, with Tonioli telling him that if he were to "carry on like this, Backstreet's back next week, and the following week…"
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas
Dance: Jive, "Whistle (While You Work It)"
Score: 22
The "Spy Kids" star is in the competition with her husband Carlos, and in their video package, the couple joked that if one of them wins, the other wouldn't stop talking about it.
"There is a sensuality and strength to you that will take you very far," Inaba told her after her jive with Ballas.
Hayes Grier and Emma Slater
Dance: Cha-cha, "Cheerleader"
Score: 21
The youngest contestant of the season impressed the judges with his high-school-inspired dance with Slater.
"You have a natural ability," Hough told the 15-year old. Hough also advised him to work on his core as he seemed to be a little "loosy-goosey" with it.
Victor Espinoza and Karina Smirnoff
Dance: Salsa, "G.D.F.R."
Score: 15
Espinoza was garbed in full jockey attire for his dance, and while Inaba said that the dance was entertaining, it lacked a lot of salsa elements.
Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Quickstep, "Do Your Thing"
Score: 23
The "Braxton Family Values" star looked light and quick on her feet for her quickstep with the season 20 champion.
"High octane, high class, incredible amount of confidence," Tonioli said of her performance, and Braxton got the second highest score of the night.
Kim Zolciak and Tony Dovolani
Dance: Salsa, "Hey Mama"
Score: 12
The "RHOA" star had a bit of a meltdown during rehearsals, but she managed to pull it together during performance night and she had a glamorous entrance as she was brought out on a couch, but her lack of movement on the dance floor got her the lowest score of the night, and Inaba advised her to "go for it," adding that there was no reason for her to hold back.
Paula Deen and Louis Van Amstel
Dance: Quickstep, "Hey Good Lookin"
Score: 15
Deen started her dance right behind a kitchen table stacked high with her favorite ingredient — butter — and Inaba said that she saw a lot of potential in the former Food Network star but advised her to work on her footwork.
Chaka Khan and Keo Motsepe
Dance: Cha-cha, "I Feel For You"
Score: 13
With an entrance worthy of a diva, Khan was praised by the judges for it, but Hough reminded her to use the space around her the next time she dances.
Andy Grammer and Allison Holker
Dance: Foxtrot, "Marvin Gaye"
Score: 21
Grammer, who said that he was dancing on the show for his late mother, displayed a lot of energy on the dance floor, and Hough called the singer a true performer.
Alex Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold
Dance: Foxtrot, "Ten Feet Tall"
Score: 22
Many were surprised when Skarlatos was announced as part of the season 21 cast, but it was the judges — and his partner who noted that he followed directions very well — who were surprised when the real-life hero exhibited a quiet grace on the dance floor.
"I did not expect that at all," said Inaba. "You just came out and showed us one of the best dances of the night."
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson
Dance: Jive, "I Got You"
Score: 23
The Big Time Rush member exuded confidence on the dance floor, and Hough said that he may be the most natural performer of the season. His performance tied him with Braxton for second place on the leaderboard.
Gary Busey and Anna Trebunskaya
Dance: Cha-cha, "Dancing in the Street"
Score: 15
The actor was very exuberant and danced with a swagger, and the judges were clearly entertained.
"It was like watching a summer blockbuster!" exclaimed Tonioli. "Chaos…destruction…bring on the sequel!"
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough
Dance: Jive, "Crocodile Rock"
Score: 24
Irwin said that the real reason why she is on the show is to make her late father Steve Irwin proud, and her jive with the five-time "DWTS" champion was met with a standing ovation.
"That was the best performance of the night," said Hough.
Irwin's score tied her with Carter, placing her right at the top of the leaderboard.
"Dancing with the Stars" airs Monday and Tuesday at 8 p.m. on ABC.
