Dancing With the Stars Celebrates 500 Spectacular Episodes
After hundreds of celebrities, over a thousand jam-packed routines, and hundreds of thousands of sequins later, Dancing With the Stars celebrates a milestone of 500 episodes.
The series, adapted from the British version Strictly Come Dancing, premiered on June 1, 2005, and was deemed a cultural phenomenon. Over the course of nearly 20 years, DWTS has featured today’s A-listers like Zendaya and Kim Kardashian before they became household names and helped revive the careers of nostalgic stars.
To commemorate the occasion, ABC is pulling out all the stops with returning pros, celebrities, and an iconic “500” mirrorball chandelier. Kicking off the night is an opening number to Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love,” paying homage to the first song featured in the series. Choreographed by Daniella Karagach and Pasha Pashkov, the number is set to feature former pros, although season 27 champion Sharna Burgess is the only confirmed dancer.
The night includes two rounds of competition, with the first round challenging the couples to put their own spin on an iconic routine from the series.
- Super Bowl Champion Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson will perform a Quickstep, inspired by Helio Castroneves and Julianne Hough’s performance in season five, to “Hey Pachuco” by Royal Crown Revue.
- The Bachelor Joey Graziadei and pro Jenna Johnson will perform a Contemporary, inspired by Riker Lynch and Allison Holker’s performance in season 20, to “Work Song” by Hozier.
- NBA Champion Dwight Howard and pro Daniella Karagach will perform an Argentine Tango, inspired by James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess performance in season 23, to “Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)” by Gotan Project.
- TV star Chandler Kinney and pro Brandon Armstrong will perform an Argentine Tango, inspired by Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough’s performance in season 16, to “Para Te” by Appart.
- Olympian rugby player Ilona Maher and pro Alan Bersten will perform a Quickstep, inspired by Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold’s performance in season 25, to “Chuck Berry” by Pharrell Williams.
- Olympian gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold will perform a Viennese Waltz, inspired by Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas’ performance in season 31, to “Glimpse of Us” by Joji.
In the second round of competition, the couples will face their toughest challenge yet. They will participate in the “Instant Dance” challenge, in which they will learn their assigned style and song just five minutes before performing their routine live.
Fans anticipate a star-studded evening that will properly celebrate the ups and downs of the series and will set the precedent for the seasons to come.
Dancing With the Stars’ 500 episode will premiere tonight at 8:00 p.m. on ABC and Disney+.
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