Dancing With the Stars Welcomes Season 34 Contestants

Quick Smiles:Carrie Ann Inaba misses the season premiere due to illness but sends warm wishes to contestants.Fellow judges and dancers shower her with messages of support as the show kicks off.Fourteen celebrity teams light up the ballroom for an exciting new season.Season 34 of “Dancing With the Stars” began with joy and encouragement, even as longtime judge Carrie Ann Inaba needed to sit out the premiere due to feeling unwell. Co-hosts Julianna Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro opened the show by wishing Carrie Ann a speedy recovery, letting everyone know she hopes to return next week.”Carrie Ann is under the weather and hopes to be back with us next week,” shared Ribeiro, followed by Hough’s heartfelt, “Get well soon, Carrie Ann, we love you.”Despite missing the ballroom, Inaba made sure the contestants felt her support, saying she would be “cheering you on from home” and wishing them all the best on their journey.Her DWTS family filled her social media with well wishes, as fellow judge Derek Hough and dancers like Jenna Johnson and Britt Stewart sent loving messages her way.As the live event unfolded, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli took their places at the judges’ table to score the opening dances, with celebrities trying their hand at salsa, cha cha, tango, and jive. The judges’ input, along with viewer votes, will decide who stays in the competition after week one.This season’s pairs include familiar faces from sports, music, TV, and the social media world, promising vibrant performances and plenty of heart.Source