Executive Overview
The ballroom of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) is a high-stakes arena where glamour, precision, and immense physical exertion collide. For Season 35, the competition has proven to be one of the most unpredictable and compelling installments in the show’s storied history. While the audience sees polished routines, flawless makeup, and soaring emotional highs on Monday nights, the reality behind the curtain is a volatile mix of high-pressure rehearsals, logistical scrambles, and unscripted moments that test the mettle of celebrities and professional dancers alike.
In a recent exclusive interview with E! News, Paralympian track and field star Ezra Frech and his professional partner, Daniella Karagach, pulled back the curtain on the chaotic preparation leading up to the show’s highly anticipated Disney Night on November 2. Among the most talked-about highlights of the evening was a powerhouse team dance set to High School Musical, featuring Frech, fellow contestant Connor Wood, Jenna Dewan, and Harry Shum Jr. The routine culminated in a synchronized, jaw-dropping moment where the male contestants ripped away their trousers to reveal custom underwear spelling out "D-W-T-S," driving the live audience wild and propelling the team to the top of the leaderboard with a rare set of perfect 10s.
However, as Frech revealed, the path to the ballroom floor was fraught with near-disaster. During crucial camera-blocking rehearsals, comedian and social media personality Connor Wood suffered an unforgettable wardrobe malfunction, completely forgetting to execute the central gag of the routine. What followed was a scramble of frantic shouting from his fellow cast members, highlighting the delicate ecosystem of live-television production.
Beyond the comedic mishaps of the team dance, Season 35 has been defined by boundary-pushing choreography, personal triumphs, and the ongoing elimination battles of a stacked roster featuring everything from Bachelor Nation royalty to Olympic athletes and reality TV staples. This report explores the mechanics of the Season 35 Disney Night, the behind-the-scenes heroics and slip-ups, the systemic challenges overcome by competitors like Frech, and a comprehensive look at how the rest of the cast is faring as the competition heats up.
Detailed Chronology: The Chaos and Triumph of Disney Night
The lead-up to the November 2 Disney episode was characterized by intense scheduling, grueling hours in the studio, and the unique pressure of honoring beloved cinematic properties. For the featured team dance, the production team tapped into the nostalgic juggernaut of Disney Channel’s High School Musical.
The concept was born from professional dancer Jenna Johnson (partner to Harry Shum Jr.), who pitched the idea of incorporating rip-away pants into the climax of the routine. The plan was designed to give the audience an energetic, theatrical jolt—a nod to the Wildcat spirit that would make the performance unforgettable.
The Rehearsal Room Blunder
While the final televised performance went off without a hitch, the dress rehearsal process revealed vulnerabilities that could have derailed the entire segment. Ezra Frech detailed the moment the routine nearly went off the rails during camera blocking:
"We practiced in these rip-away pants, so that when the show would come, we felt comfortable. And so we all ripped our pants off, did the ending, and Connor still had his pants on."
The sudden realization that Wood had failed to strip away his outer layer sent a jolt of panic through the rehearsal space. According to Frech, Wood’s reaction was quintessential to his comedic persona: "He’s like, ‘Oh, I forgot I had the rip-away pants on.’"
With time running out before the live broadcast, the ensemble had to improvise a failsafe. Daniella Karagach explained how the entire team banded together to ensure Wood hit his cue during the actual show:
"So we’re all yelling the next round, we’re like, ‘Connor! Pants!’"
The mid-dance coaching session worked. When the cameras rolled on Monday night, Wood successfully shed his trousers alongside his fellow male cast members, exposing the "D-W-T-S" lettering on their undergarments and cementing a viral television moment. Frech praised Wood’s resilience and comedic timing, noting, "He’s so funny. Genuinely one of the most naturally funny human beings I’ve ever met in my life."
Supporting Context & Metrics: Breaking Boundaries in the Ballroom
While the team dance provided comedic relief and high-scoring validation, the individual routines on Disney Night pushed physical boundaries, particularly for Team USA Paralympian Ezra Frech and partner Daniella Karagach.
Frech, competing with a prosthetic leg, faced what many traditional ballroom traditionalists would consider an insurmountable hurdle: mastering the samba. Known for its rapid footwork, rhythmic hip action, and demanding bounce action, the samba is notoriously punishing even for seasoned professional dancers.
Redefining Self-Imposed Limits
Reflecting on their journey to the samba, set to "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid, Frech opened up about the psychological barriers he had to break through alongside Karagach:
"The limits we sometimes place on ourselves are—they’re self-imposed limits. For us, like we literally thought this was off the table. No way we could do a samba. And the more she understood the mechanics of the prosthetic, the more comfortable we felt with each other, and the more we just tried things, we’re like, maybe we could make this happen."
The collaboration required Karagach to study the technical specifications and kinetic limitations of Frech’s athletic prosthetic, adapting standard ballroom holds and weight distributions to accommodate his stride. The resulting performance was not only technically proficient but earned critical acclaim from the judges, proving that adaptability and trust are the ultimate currencies in the ballroom.
"So, for it to come full circle, for us to put together that dance," the 21-year-old athlete added, "I can’t believe that happened."
Official Statements & Cast Breakdown: Season 35 Roster Analysis
As Season 35 progresses, the competition has winnowed down from a sprawling ensemble of pop-culture figures to a hardened group of contenders. The journey thus far has seen shocking early exits, unexpected standouts, and deeply personal narratives. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the key competitors shaping this season:
The Frontrunners and Standouts
- Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach: The Paralympic track and field star has consistently defied expectations, pairing elite athleticism with profound emotional resonance under Karagach’s expert mentorship.
- Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold: Known socially as "Fibula," the comedian has leveraged his natural humor and steady improvement with Arnold to become a fan favorite, surviving near-disasters like the Disney Night wardrobe mix-up.
- Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson: Bringing his extensive dance and musical theater background from Glee to the ballroom, Shum has consistently set a high technical bar, aided by Johnson’s innovative choreography.
- Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy: Twenty years after her breakout role in Step Up, Dewan has returned to her dancing roots, showcasing elite execution and effortless stage presence alongside Chmerkovskiy.
- Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas: The Love Island U.K. star manifested her spot on the show through meticulous vision-board planning—reportedly adding multiple DWTS entries to her goals before finally securing her place in the ballroom.
Notable Early Exits and Departures
The road to the finale has been unforgiving, claiming several high-profile names in the opening weeks:
- Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten: The celebrity chef couldn’t quite chop her way through the competition, facing elimination during the Sept. 22 episode.
- Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart: The former ’90s teen heartthrob failed to MMMBop his way to the top, exiting the competition on Sept. 29.
- Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson: The beloved Jimmy Kimmel Live! fixture brought unmatched enthusiasm to the floor, but his time was cut short on Oct. 13.
- Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong: Despite a passionate fanbase cheering for the Summer House star, Miller was eliminated on Oct. 6.
- Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman: Following in the footsteps of his wife Whitney Leavitt, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star bid farewell during the Sept. 15 premiere.
- Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills: Stepping into the ballroom following her sister Brooks Nader’s Season 33 run, Sarah Jane exited after her debut episode on Sept. 16.
Future Outlook: The Road to the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy
As Season 35 charges past its midpoint, the stakes have never been higher. The integration of cross-genre stars—from reality television personalities and culinary icons to elite Paralympians and veteran actors—has created a uniquely volatile scoring environment.
Judges are tightening their criteria, demanding greater technical precision and emotional vulnerability from the remaining couples. For Ezra Frech, Connor Wood, and their peers, the lessons learned during Disney Night—ranging from the necessity of rigorous prop checks to the power of shattering self-imposed physical limitations—will dictate who ultimately claims the championship title.
With choreography becoming increasingly ambitious and fan voting more unpredictable than ever, the remaining weeks of Season 35 promise to deliver further unscripted drama, breathtaking routines, and unforgettable television moments.