Baldwin Joins Ballroom as Savchenko Returns on DWTS Season 34 Premiere

Lead: Gleb Savchenko made his much-anticipated comeback to Dancing with the Stars on Wednesday, partnering with Hilaria Baldwin for a fiery cha-cha in Hollywood, while Alec Baldwin surprised rehearsals in New York before cheering from the audience.

Nut Graf: The premiere marked Savchenko’s first appearance since spring amid personal drama, underscoring his aim to focus on dance over headlines and underscoring DWTS’s tradition of blending celebrity intrigue with athletic artistry.

Savchenko and Baldwin Ignite the Floor

Savchenko, a ten-season DWTS veteran, guided Hilaria Baldwin through a cha-cha to Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” earning a solid 14/20 despite her 16-year hiatus following a hip injury. Derek Hough praised the routine as “sharp” and “precise,” calling it “the best cha-cha I’ve ever seen from a mother of seven,” while Bruno Tonioli lauded her “delicious” footwork.

Alec’s Surprise Cameo

Before the live show, Alec Baldwin crashed a New York rehearsal, tapping Savchenko and Hilaria on the shoulder with a playful “May I cut in?” and even busting a few moves himself. His unexpected appearance highlighted the couple’s familial support and added lighthearted flair ahead of broadcast.

Scoring and Stakes

• Hilaria & Gleb: Cha-cha scored 14/20 (Derek 7, Bruno 7)
• Top Score Tie: Robert Irwin & Witney Carson and Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas led with 15/20 each No eliminations occurred on premiere night; next week’s double-elimination will combine viewer votes with judges’ scores.

Looking Ahead

Season 34 continues next Tuesday with a One-Hit Wonders theme, as Savchenko shifts focus from tabloid headlines to mirror-ball ambitions-zero drama, only dance.