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Dancing with the Stars season 33 premiered on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesday, September 17 at 8 pm ET. The show featured four famous athletes making their on-screen debut on the show.
Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, NFL player Danny Amendola, rugby player Ilona Maher, and NBA star Dwight Howard will dance with their professional partners weekly.
All four athletes performed in their unique styles, including tango and salsa. Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba are the judges for this season who will be evaluating the acts. Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro are the co-hosts. The contestants hope to win the prestigious Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy as the season progresses.
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Stephen Nedoroscik, Ilona Maher, and other athletes in Dancing with the Stars season 33
1) Danny Amendola
Two-time Super Bowl champion and retired NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola is paired with professional dancer Witney Carson. During the season opener, Amendola danced to A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey and David Guetta.
The NFL star is excited to see how his dancing skills will translate, as he is well known for his agility on the football field.
Amendola stated to US Weekly while promoting the program.
"It's my mom's favorite show so when I told her we had the opportunity she told me I had to do it."
2) Stephen Nedoroscik
Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik is partnered with Rylee Arnold. He won a bronze medal in the pommel horse competition at the Paris Summer Olympics in 2024. Their initial performance to Queen's Don't Stop Me Now left the audience in awe of the pair's intensity.
Nedoroscik, well-known for his collected attitude and cube-solving talents, wants to use his gymnastics training on the dance floor. Along with his Olympic achievement, the 25-year-old is gaining public attention for his supportive relationship with Tess McCracken. He refers to her as his biggest fan.
3) Ilona Maher
Being the first rugby player to compete in Dancing with the Stars, Olympian Ilona Maher is creating history. She is partnered with experienced professional dancer Alan Bersten, who took first place in season 28 of the competition.
The duo made their stage debut with a cha-cha-cha to Shania Twain's Man! I Feel Like a Woman! Maher, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, is already well-known for her social media and late-night television appearances.
4) Dwight Howard
NBA veteran Dwight Howard, an eight-time All-Star and three-time Defensive Player of the Year is partnered with Daniella Karagach on Dancing with the Stars season 33. The pair performed a salsa routine to Montell Jordan's This Is How We Do It. Despite his 6-foot-10 height, his quickness and enthusiasm earned him a score of 22, which tied him for the evening's second-best result.
Howard, who has been out of the NBA since 2022, has amazed new fans with his unexpected dancing skills. His salsa performance has become a viral sensation, earning praise from longtime critics.
ABC and Disney+ air Dancing with the Stars season 33 every Tuesday at 8 pm ET. New episodes are available for streaming on Hulu and ABC.com the day after the show airs.
