“Blackish” star Miles Brown with pro-dancer Rylee Arnold and mentorLindsay Arnold Photo: ABC |
The toughest dance competition just got a lot cuter. The youngest cast ever assembled are sparkling up their wardrobe, breaking in their dancing shoes and readying themselves for what will be an unforgettable journey, on the special two-hour premiere of “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors,” Sunday, October 7 at (8:00-10:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC.
The 12 celebrity kids and their professional junior ballroom dance partners will grace the ballroom floor for the first time, all vying for a chance to win the coveted Mirrorball trophy. Each team will have help along their journey by some of “Dancing with the Stars’” acclaimed adult pros and troupe members, who will act as mentors to offer guidance and support.
The show opener will be an opening number featuring the full cast of celebrities and their pro partners, along with their mentors, judges Mandy Moore, Val Chmerkovskiy and Adam Rippon, and hosts Jordan Fisher and Frankie Muniz.
The celebrity kid dancers each will perform a cha cha, salsa, foxtrot or jive. At the end of the night, there will be a double elimination. The studio audience vote is combined with the judges’ scores to determine who goes home at the end of each episode.
We’re getting fired up! 🔥
Meet the celebrities of Dancing With the Stars Juniors! ⭐ pic.twitter.com/ugG2MX6ja5— Dancing with the Stars: Juniors (@DWTSJuniors) September 26, 2018
Sunday, October 7 show line up:
Each couple will dance to the following songs (in alphabetical order):
Addison Osta Smith and Lev Khmelev (mentored by Keo Motsepe) – Cha Cha – “Burnin’ Up” by Jessie J featuring 2 Chainz
Honey Boo Boo and Tristan Ianiero (mentored by Artem Chigvintsev) – Salsa – “Conga” by Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine
Akash Vukoti and Kamri Peterson (mentored by Witney Carson) – Foxtrot – “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole
Ariana Greenblatt and Artyon Celestine (mentored by Brandon Armstrong) – Cha Cha – “Cut to the Feeling” by Carly Rae Jepsen
Hudson West and Kameron Couch (mentored by Hayley Erbert) – Cha Cha – “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” by Shawn Mendes
Jason Maybaum and Elliana Walmsley (mentored by Emma Slater) – Cha Cha – “Bills” by Lunchmoney Lewis
Mackenzie Ziegler and Sage Rosen (mentored by Gleb Savchenko) – Foxtrot – “New York, New York” by Ray Quinn featuring Ultra Love
Mandla Morris and Brightyn Brems (mentored by Cheryl Burke) – Jive – “Land of 1000 Dances” by Wilson Pickett
Miles Brown and Rylee Arnold (mentored by Lindsay Arnold) – Salsa – “Who Let the Dogs Out” by Baha Men
Sky Brown and JT Church (mentored by Alan Bersten) – Salsa – “Light It Up” by Major Lazer featuring Nyla & Fuse ODG
Sophia Pippen and Jake Monreal (mentored by Sasha Farber) – Jive – “Do You Love Me” by The Contours
Tripp Palin and Hailey Bills (mentored by Jenna Johnson) – Foxtrot – “Mama Said” by The Shirelles
Hosted by “Dancing with the Stars” season 25’s Mirrorball Trophy winner Jordan Fisher and finalist Frankie Muniz, “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors” is a fresh take on an established favorite in which 12 celebrity kids are partnered with professional junior ballroom dancers to perform choreographed routines that are judged by Emmy Award-winning choreographer Mandy Moore, professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy and “Dancing with the Stars: Athletes” champion, Adam Rippon.