Harry Shum Jr. wasted little time making his mark on Dancing With the Stars Season 35. The actor and longtime performer stepped onto the ballroom floor with Jenna Johnson on the opening night of the new season and immediately found himself at the top of the leaderboard.
Shum Jr. and Johnson earned 21 out of 30 points for their Cha-Cha to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “Let’s Groove.” The score put them ahead of every other couple performing during the first night of the two-part premiere. But there was an interesting detail behind the polished performance: despite years of dancing experience, Shum Jr. had never competed in ballroom before.
Harry Shum Jr. Starts Season 35 at the Top
The Season 35 premiere brought eight male celebrities onto the ballroom floor, with each performer facing the judges for the first time. Shum Jr. quickly became one of the night’s biggest talking points after delivering a confident and energetic routine with Johnson.
His 21-point total included three 7s from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. That placed him one point ahead of Paralympic gold medalist Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, who scored 20 for their Tango.
The early leaderboard also included Tyler Cameron with 17 points, while Connor Wood and Taylor Hanson each finished with 16. Jackson Olson scored 15, Conner Leavitt earned 12, and Guillermo Rodriguez received 10.
| Detail | Harry Shum Jr. |
|---|---|
| Professional partner | Jenna Johnson |
| First dance | Cha-Cha |
| Premiere score | 21/30 |
Ballroom Dancing Is Still New for Him
Shum Jr.’s performance may have looked familiar to longtime fans of his work, but ballroom dancing is a different discipline from the styles that helped build his career.
The actor has a long history with dance, including appearances in the Step Up franchise and Glee, as well as work as a backup dancer for Beyoncé. Those experiences gave him strong musical instincts and comfort performing in front of large audiences.
Ballroom, however, demands its own vocabulary. Posture, footwork, frame, timing and partner connection all become crucial, and movements that work in commercial or hip-hop choreography do not automatically translate to a Cha-Cha or other ballroom style. Shum Jr. has acknowledged that distinction as he takes on the competition.
Jenna Johnson Brings Experience to the Partnership
Having Jenna Johnson beside him could prove especially valuable as Shum Jr. adjusts to the technical demands of the show. Johnson is a seasoned DWTS professional who knows how to build routines around a celebrity’s strengths while working on the areas that need improvement.
Their first routine also gave viewers a glimpse of the chemistry between the pair. Shum Jr. brought the performance confidence, while Johnson helped shape that experience into a routine designed for the ballroom.
Judges noticed both the entertainment value and the technical promise. At the same time, the performance was not presented as flawless. Some commentary pointed to Shum Jr.’s tendency to make his arm and hand movements bigger than necessary, something that can happen when a dancer brings commercial-style habits into ballroom choreography.
His Dance Background Is Already Creating Buzz
Shum Jr.’s casting attracted attention before Season 35 even began because viewers knew he was not starting from zero. His previous dance career made him one of the contestants whose experience would naturally draw comparisons with celebrities who had little or no formal dance background.
That conversation has become part of the wider story around this season. Other contestants, including Jenna Dewan and Julia Stiles, also have performance or dance experience, leading fans to debate how much previous training matters on a show built around learning unfamiliar styles.
DWTS judge Bruno Tonioli has pushed back on the idea that previous dance experience automatically translates into an advantage. He has pointed out that ballroom and Latin dancing require specialized techniques that are different from styles such as hip-hop or ballet.
What Comes Next for Harry Shum Jr.?
Starting with the highest score gives Shum Jr. an impressive first-week position, but the competition has only just begun. The show will introduce more dance styles, tougher choreography and the pressure of viewer voting as the season progresses.
There is also a practical challenge waiting for him. Shum Jr. is continuing his work on Grey’s Anatomy while taking part in DWTS, meaning he is balancing television production with rehearsals and live performances. His schedule adds another layer to a competition that already demands significant preparation.
For now, Shum Jr. has given fans exactly the kind of opening-night performance that creates attention. He showed that his years around music and dance can translate to the ballroom, while also leaving enough room for viewers to wonder how much further he can improve once the truly demanding styles arrive.
FAQ
What score did Harry Shum Jr. receive on DWTS?
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson received 21 out of 30 points for their Cha-Cha, the highest score on the first night of the Season 35 premiere.
Who is Harry Shum Jr.’s DWTS partner?
Harry Shum Jr. is partnered with professional dancer Jenna Johnson during Dancing With the Stars Season 35.
Has Harry Shum Jr. danced before DWTS?
Yes. Shum Jr. has extensive dance experience from projects including Glee and the Step Up films and has also worked as a backup dancer for Beyoncé. However, ballroom dancing was new territory for him when he entered DWTS.