Olympic Medalist Shines in ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Debut

2024 Olympic double bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik received enthusiastic evaluations from the judges following his debut performance on ABC‘s “Dancing with the Stars” alongside partner Rylee Arnold. The duo jived to a third-place tie during the premiere of Season 33, performing to “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen.

“It took me 20 years to excel on the pommel horse, but mastering the jive proved challenging as well,” remarked Nedoroscik following his entertaining display. “I feel more comfortable than I ever anticipated, all thanks to my excellent coach, Rylee Arnold.”

Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli each awarded the pair 7 out of 10 points, placing them in a tie for third place with “The Bachelor” contestant Joey Graziadei and his partner Jenna Johnson. Actress Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong took the lead with 23 points, and eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard and partner Daniella Karagach followed with 22 points.

Inaba praised Nedoroscik for his engaging performance while noting areas for improvement. “You are so entertaining and agile,” she commented. “Just remember to point those toes. Your skills are impressive, but focusing on the details will make a difference.”

Derek Hough likened the dance to a Rubik’s cube, an object Nedoroscik can solve swiftly, advising him to control his pace. “Your jive was like a Rubik’s cube, filled with twists and intriguing surprises,” Hough stated. “Your athleticism was on display and greatly appreciated. Just remember to slow it down a notch to avoid any mistakes.”

Similarly, Bruno Tonioli applauded the energy of the performance while highlighting the importance of attention to detail. “That was an incredible burst of energy, your enthusiasm lit up Los Angeles,” Tonioli observed. “Now it’s time to focus on the finer details in your technique.”

The first elimination of the season is scheduled for next week, determined by a combination of scores and audience votes from the previous two episodes. “Dancing with the Stars” airs Tuesday nights on ABC and Disney+ and is available for streaming on Hulu the following day.