LOS ANGELES — Carrie Ann Inaba struggled to hold back tears after Ciara Miller’s first dance on Dancing with the Stars Season 35.
What to know
Miller and professional partner Brandon Armstrong performed a foxtrot to Whitney Houston’s “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” during Premiere Night 2 on September 16, 2026. The routine earned a score of 15 out of 30 — three fives from the judges — and advanced the pair past the first double elimination.
What stood out more than the numbers was Inaba’s reaction. “You made me cry,” the longtime judge told Miller. “Because I can see the pain that you have. I can feel it.”
Miller, 30, has been open about the difficult year that preceded her ballroom debut. After a very public betrayal involving her ex West Wilson and former close friend Amanda Batula on Summer House, she has described the experience as a “major mindfuck.” She has also spoken about using the competition as a way to reclaim her own story.
Before the dance, Miller addressed the “bed bug” nickname she earned on Bravo for her love of lounging. “Word on the street is that I love to lay down — and I do — but this is a completely different environment,” she said. “So, for everyone that said I was lazy, stay tuned.”
Fellow Summer House cast members Lindsay Hubbard and Mia Calabrese were in the audience and appeared emotional as the routine ended.
Miller has repeatedly said she is treating the competition seriously. She has spoken about building endurance, prioritizing stretching, and working closely with Armstrong on both technique and personal expression. The pair return next Tuesday as the season continues.
For many viewers, the debut felt like more than a first dance. It was a public acknowledgment of a turbulent chapter and a clear signal that Miller intends to keep moving forward on her own terms.
Based on the September 16, 2026, episode of Dancing with the Stars and public statements from the cast and judges.
