Stephen Nedoroscik showcased his pommel horse skills on the ballroom floor during the premiere of “Dancing with the Stars” last night. The Olympic gymnast from Worcester is joining this season’s competition with professional dance partner Rylee Arnold.
In the opening episode, Nedoroscik expressed his aspiration to become the first male gymnast to win the show, as many female gymnasts have participated and won in the past. “I’m the first male here, and I’m hoping to make my mark this season,” he stated.
For his debut performance, Nedoroscik danced a jive to Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now,” chosen as a personal anthem. The judges scored him 21 out of 30, with each judge—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—awarding him sevens.
Nedoroscik expressed satisfaction with his score and credited his dance partner for helping him feel at ease in the ballroom. “I’m definitely feeling more comfortable than I ever thought I could,” he remarked.
Last night’s episode did not feature any eliminations; the first elimination will take place next week on September 24, based on a combination of judges’ scores and audience votes.
“Dancing with the Stars” airs live on Tuesday nights on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available for next-day streaming on Hulu. The show’s next episode will be on September 24 at 8 p.m. EST.
Nedoroscik is a celebrated Olympic gymnast who earned two bronze medals during the 2024 Olympics in Paris, including one for the team all-around and another in his specialty event, the pommel horse. At 25 years old, he gained significant popularity during the Olympics, which contributed to his rise in fame.