The “Dancing With the Stars” ballroom was buzzing with excitement Tuesday night.
Page Six received a VIP pass to “Viral Hits Night,” gaining an inside look at how the Season 35 celebrities and their professional partners prepare for the pressure of a live broadcast.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at everything that unfolded during Week 2 of the competition.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. local time, we arrived at the Los Angeles studio where the dance competition is filmed and checked in before joining the live audience.
Only minutes after clearing security, we caught our first celebrity sighting of the evening: “Glee” alum Harry Shum Jr. alongside his pro partner, Jenna Johnson.
The pair, both dressed in white satin looks, posed for photographers outside the studio while preparing for their Viennese Waltz to the Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris.”
We also saw Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson greeting early-arriving fans as they waited patiently to enter the ballroom ahead of the 5 p.m. PT start.
Following a brief wait, VIPs and general audience members were led inside by “DWTS” crew. Along the way, guests passed the famous skybox, where contestants receive their judges’ scores, as well as the backstage quick-change area, production booths and other behind-the-scenes stations.
Once inside, every guest searched for the assigned seat that would remain theirs for the entire live taping.
We landed a coveted spot on the ballroom floor directly across from the judges’ table, offering a clear view of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. Off camera, their playful exchanges were every bit as funny and entertaining as they appear on television.
Friends and family of Taylor Hanson, Ciara Miller, Tyler Cameron, Amber Glenn, Jackson Olson, Jenna Dewan and Julia Stiles were seated nearby.
As the ballroom filled up, members of the troupe entertained the audience. The contestants later joined them for final warm-ups before the show began.
Previously eliminated pros Hailey Bills and Adele Zaikman added to the pre-show excitement by going live on TikTok and offering viewers at home a glimpse behind the scenes.
The live taping started promptly at 5 p.m. PT. The audience erupted in cheers and flashed their best camera-ready smiles as the Season 35 pairings were introduced.
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy opened the night with an energetic Jive set to KATSEYE’s “Animal.”
Afterward, Page Six watched Dewan cheer on the entire cast throughout the show, helping keep the ballroom’s energy high.
During one commercial break, the “Step Up” star even joined the troupe in the skybox for an impromptu freestyle session.
MUST READ: Mariska Hargitay Shares Set Photo Confirming Meloni’s SVU Return
Once the songs and dance styles for “Viral Hits Night” were announced, we expected Ciara Miller and Brandon Miller’s Tango to Disco Lines and Tinashe’s “No Broke Boys” to be a standout. They did not disappoint.
In the minutes before taking the floor, the pair remained completely focused on their choreography rather than Ciara’s emotional pre-taped interview package.
The reality star, who discussed the “Summer House” fallout involving her ex, West Wilson, and former best friend Amanda Batula, received enthusiastic support from the audience throughout the performance, culminating in a well-earned standing ovation.
“One time a broke boy ruined my life — or he tried. But we’re here tonight, so it didn’t work,” Ciara proudly exclaimed following her performance.
Later in the evening, Guillermo and Witney also had the whole crowd clapping along as they performed a fiery Paso Doble to “Where Have You Been” by Rihanna.
One of the best moments in the ballroom, hands down, was getting to watch Val live react to Guillermo putting his own spin on the pro dancer’s signature knee walks as the audience erupted into cheers.
Val — who was smiling ear to ear alongside the cast after the performance — went viral for his smooth glides across the floor when he was partnered with Alix Earle last season.
We caught the tail end of his reaction, as seen below:
Another standout moment was witnessing the supportive partnership between former “Traitors” co-stars Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas.
The two entered the ballroom just moments before they were set to dance a Cha Cha to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire. We could tell Maura was feeling the nerves of the live show, but we witnessed Mark, on several occasions, calm her down and hype her up, encouraging her to stay in the moment.
She also adorably covered her ears as her pre-taped interview package aired — to tune out the noise, as many celebs opt to do each season. Clearly, it all worked out in her favor, as Maura turned on the confidence as soon as the music started playing.
Toward the end of the show, the celebrities and their pro partners all lined up on stage as they awaited the results of the combined judges’ scores with viewer votes.
Co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced three couples who were in danger of elimination: Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, and Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson.
Ultimately, the couple sent home were Giada and Alan. Page Six spotted their fellow competitors quickly flocking over to them as soon as the credits began rolling — to console them and share their support before they exited the ballroom.
The remaining pairs will move on to Week 3 of the dance competition, a “Yacht Rock”-themed episode, airing next Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, and streaming on Hulu the following day.
Other theme episodes this season will include a tribute show to Mariah Carey, along with a special evening dedicated to the Grammys, a “Horror Movie Night” and more.
In the meantime, stay tuned to Page Six for more “DWTS” news and updates.