Zendaya and Kellie Picker shine on night one of DWTS: Season 16

Tonight was the first night of performances on Dancing with the Stars’ 16th season!

The 12 couples had to choose from performing three styles of dances including Cha-cha-cha, Foxtrot and Contemporary! Who persevered the first night jitters and delivered a memorable opening number? Which couple might face the dreaded red light during the first results show next week? Read on to find out….

Country star and American Idol alum Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough kicked the season off with a bang as they danced a sparkly Cha-cha-cha to Jessie J’s “Domino” that had great footwork and was fun to watch. While the judges stated that it was a great start to the 16th season, they wanted to see her be less stiff in the legs. Kellie and Derek received a 21-out-of-30 for their routine.

Boxer Victor Ortiz was the first athlete to take the ballroom. While he had a rough time during rehearsals, Victor danced very elegantly and his chemistry with his partner: new pro Lindsay Arnold. However, he received mixed reactions from the judges as Carrie Ann liked the posture but Len stated it was uneventful. The couple received an 18-out-of-30.

General Hospital’s Ingo Rademacher tackled the first Contemporary round of the season. While Contemporary should have been left out of the show, Ingo and Kym put on a great effort and had great lifts. However, the judges were once again divided in their critiques, Carrie Ann stated that the couple met her requirements while once again Len announced that he was not convinced. Ingo and Kym received a 20-out-of-30.

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills’ grand dame Lisa Vanderpump made her dancing debut with new pro Gleb Savchenko. Their debut dance was boring to be completely honest and they received an 18-out-of-30. Meanwhile, media triple threat D.L. Hughley and his partner Cheryl Burke delivered a hip-hop inspired Cha-cha-cha that seemed very out of place and very out of rhythm. The judges gave them a 12-out-of-30.

Dancing’s youngest contestant ever, the 16-year-old Disney Channel darling Zendaya, was the next star to take the ballroom floor. The couple received a standing ovation from the crowd and strong comments from the judges for their Contemporary routine and earned the highest score of the night (so far): 24-out-of-30.

The Bachelor’s Sean Lowe wanted to do the show so he does not embarrass his future wife at their wedding. Unfortunately, his Foxtrot to a cover of Huey Lewis and the News’ “The Power of Love” seemed stiff at times. Len stated that there was no finesse and wanted his dance to be refined. They received a 19-out-of-30.

It was gold medalist versus gold medalist as two beloved Olympians went head to head. Up first, the Fierce Five captain Aly Raisman hit the floor with her old teammate Shawn Johnson’s old partner Mark Ballas as her partner. They set the ballroom on fire as they danced to One Direction’s “Live While We’re Young.” All of the judges stated that she did a great job and gave them a 21-out-of-30. Next, Dorothy Hamill and Tristan MacManus danced a golden Contemporary routine to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” and received a 21-out-of-30.

Country icon Wynonna Judd and the current reigning champ Tony Dovolani delivered a Cha-cha-cha that transported the ballroom to church. The judges stated that she played it safe and could give more to her performance and gave them a 18-out-of-30 for their routine.

Comedian Andy Dick was having problems learning the choreography during the rehearsals in the pre-performance package. However, he delivered a great routine that surprised everyone. While the judges gave them mixed feedback, Andy and Sharna were one of the best surprises of the night and they gave him a 17-out-of-30.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones was the final dancer of the evening. Their routine to Flo Rida’s “Good Feeling” brought the crowd to their feet and he showed off great potential. While Bruno stated that Jacoby has potential to win the season, Len stated that it was performance driven and his technique stunk. Jacoby and Karina received a 20 for their routine.

Next week, the couples will dance either a Jive or Quickstep and one couple will be eliminated!