‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2012: Season 14 Opens With Katherine Jenkins ‘Setting the Bar So High’ [PHOTOS & VIDEO]
Dancing With the Stars made its return on Monday night on ABC and the two-hour season 14 premiere did not disappoint, with contestants Jaleel White of Family Matters fame and opera singer Katherine Jenkins snagging the top spots.
Hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke-Charvet along with judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli and musical director Harold Wheeler joined forces in the ballroom to watch the stars dance with partners competing for the crown.
Without a doubt, this is the best first show of any season, Goodman said.
I think this is my favorite premiere, start to finish, that we've ever done, Bergeron said.
According to judges, the season 14 premiere was the highest scoring opening show in the history of Dancing With the Stars, with contestants Jaleel White and Katherine Jenkins at the top of the leaderboard with 26 points each while Melissa Gilbert, Gavin DeGraw and Martina Navratilova tied for the bottom spot each with a not-too-shabby 20 points.
But the contestant who wowed the crowd the most was Jenkins in a dazzling yellow gown, dancing the foxtrot with partner Mark Ballas.
You're setting the bar so high that really you have a lot to live up to, Tonioli said.
According to Burke-Charvet, Jenkins achieved the highest score ever on a premiere event, while Inaba called Jenkins fabulous...really amazing.
Honestly, I'm just overwhelmed. Backstage I was getting myself into quite a mess, getting myself stressed out. I just couldn't believe how lovely the judges were, Jenkins said.
After the performance, Jenkins tweeted pure bliss.
OMG 2 9's & an 8! Joint top of the leader board! Just called my mum in Wales at 3am to break the news #TellMeImNotDreaming @DancingABC #DWTS, she tweeted.
William Levy scored a 24 total, acquiring a comment from Goodman that his performance was well done. Sherri Sheperd, Gladys Knight, Roshon Fegan and Jack Wagner all tied with 23 points. Maria Menounos and Donald Driver scored 21.
None of the contestants will be sent home until next week after the contestants dance either the quickstep or the jive.
View the slideshow to see photos of the cast of Dancing With the Stars season 14 and view the video below to see Katherine Jenkins' first crowd-stopping performance.
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