Season 25 of « Dancing With the Stars » kicked off Monday night with an all-new cast, and as quick as you could say « Tom Bergeron, » some celeb couples had risen above the rest.
Scoring a 22 out of 30, this pair Tangoed their way to the top of the leaderboard with a dance set to « There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back. »
The « Hamilton » actor — who plays John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in the broadway smash — may not exactly be a household name right now, but he certainly has the makings to be one of those breakouts who makes himself one throughout the course of the show.
Lindsey Stirling & Mark Ballas
Quirky violinist Stirling and partner Ballas tied Fisher and Arnold for the top spot, with a score of 22. Their Cha to « Don’t Worry » by Madcon had spunk and attitude that could take them far.
Not bad for a musician who initially described her usually inactive legs as « a little noodle-y. »
Frankie Muniz & Witney Carson
As we’ve seen many times before, the judge’s scores aren’t everything. « DWTS » viewers often vote with their hearts and if the audience was even half as smitten with « Malcolm in the Middle » star Muniz as Carrie Ann Inaba was, this pair could emerge as major competition.
Their scores weren’t bad either. Their Foxtrot to « Sign of the Times » by Harry Styles scored a 19.
Victoria Arlen & Val Chmerkovskiy
Paralympian Arlen and Chmerkovskiy also had a solid start with a score of 19 for their Cha to « Born Ready » by Disco Fries. But it was Arlen’s story — her illness as a child that left her paralyzed and her miraculous recovery as an adult that allowed her to walk again — that left the audience and her partner inspired.
« She’s the closest thing that I’ve ever seen to a miracle — a living miracle, » Chmerkovskiy said.
And while Arlen was left with no feeling in her legs, her partner called it « a very small challenge compared to everything she’s been through. »
Vanessa Lachey & Maks Chmerkovskiy
With husband Nick Lachey also competing this season, Vanessa Lachey emerged as the Lachey Household leader with a score of 21.
She and her partner performed a Cha to « Woman » by Kesha that was smooth and showed off her natural ability in the ballroom.
Watch out, Nick.
