"Dancing With The Stars" 2016 began March 21 on ABCas the new cast cha cha'd, foxtrotted, jived, tangoed, and quickstepped for votes for the very first time. By evening's end, a whopping three pairs found themselves tied for the top spot on judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli's leaderboard. So who earned the highest praise dished out and who's in big trouble heading into next week's elimination?
'DWTS' premiere: the top three
With 23 out of 30 points apiece, Boyz II Men's Wanya Morris and Lindsay Arnold, "Good Morning America" weather anchor Ginger Zee and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, and "America's Next Top Model" winner Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd all found themselves atop the week one leaderboard.
Of the three, Zee earned what was perhaps the most flattering commentary of all, as Inaba compared her spirit to that of season 21 champion Bindi Irwin.
In the danger zone?
Although most of the "DWTS" hopefuls fared well with the picky panelists, three of the couples earned less than 20 points and will face an elevated risk of elimination next week. TV personality Geraldo Rivera, whose cha cha with returning pro Edyta Sliwinska lacked content, earned a paltry mark of 13. Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie and Karina Smirnoff fared slightly better by earning 15 points for their foxtrot to "Sweet Caroline," while "The O.C." actress Mischa Barton and Artem Chigvintsev received 16 points --and a hefty dose of criticism-- for their debut offering, a tango.
The full "Dancing with the Stars" 2016 premiere night leaderboard results are as follows:
- Wanya Morris and Lindsay Arnold, 23
- Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murgatroyd, 23
- Ginger Zee and Valentin Chmerkovskiy, 23
- Mixed martial artist Paige VanZant and Mark Ballas, 21
- Actress Marla Maples and Tony Dovolani, 21
- Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown and Sharna Burgess, 21
- Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller and Witney Carson, 21
- "Fuller House" star Jodie Sweetin and Keo Motsepe, 20
- "Real Housewives of Atlanta" star Kim Fields and Sasha Farber, 20
- Mischa Barton and Artem Chigvintsev, 16
- Doug Flutie and Karina Smirnoff, 15
- Geraldo Rivera and Edyta Sliwinska, 13
So who will be sent packing during the March 28 elimination? Will the premiere night leaderboard spell out the results or will a surprise be in store for viewers? Watch "Dancing with the Stars" 2016 when it returns next Monday night to find out.
