paulini dancing australia 2023
TV

Dancing with the Stars Recap Episode 1: Paulini sets fire to the floor and one celeb scores 8

Group one take on the dance floor

TV
WRITTEN BY CHATTR Team / Edited BY Anita Anabel
19 June 2023 , 4 minutes to read

Lights, camera, dance! Sequins, spins and swirls reigned during episode one of Dancing With The Stars Australia 2023!

After meeting all 14 celebrities, the stars were split into two groups all set to take the stage every other night with Paulini Curunevali, Emily Weir, James Magnussen, Issa Schultz, Mary Coustas a.k.a Effie, Matt Preston and Gavin Wanganeen taking to the floor during the first instalment.

Returning hosts Sonia Kruger and Daryl Somers were joined by Judges Todd McKenney, Mark Wilson, Sharna Burgess and Craig Revel Horwood.

The Dancing

Emily from Home and Away made a splash by trading her surfboard for a steamy Samba, scoring a solid 26 points from the judges.

Emily Weir and Lyu Masuda. Seven

We know he dominates the pool, but when it comes to the dancefloor, James Magnussen set fire to it! A red-hot Tango landed him 27 points with Judge Craig saying he had “great potential”.

James Magnussen and Natalie Lowe. Seven

Issa Shultz, the Supernerd from The Chase Australia, strutted his stuff with a quirky Foxtrot and scored 20 points! Judge Sharna predicted that his turn on DWTS was going to be a “transformative experience” for him!

Issa Shultz and Lily Cornish. Seven

Looks like AFL legend Gavin Wanganeen didn’t quite cut it on the dance floor. His Cha Cha disastrously performed, earning him a mere eight points, leaving him at the bottom of the leaderboard with Judge Craig calling it a “complete disaster”.

Gavin Wanganeen and Megan Wragg. Seven

Mary Coustas knew how to keep us glued to the screen with her Grecian Tango; however, the judges wanted more and gave her 18 points, criticising her choreography as being “too safe”.

Mary Coustas and Aric Yegudkin. Seven

Paulini smashed the competition with her electrifying Samba, scoring a top-notch 28 points. Her rivals were shaking in their heels!

Paulini Curunevali and Igor Ifliand. Seven

Matt Preston started his competition with a major setback — an injury on day one of training! His rehearsals were majorly affected by his recovery, which resulted in a dismal score of only 10 points for his Foxtrot.

Matt Preston and Jess Raffa. Seven

The Final Scores

  • Paulini and Igor Ifliand – 28
  • Emily Weir and Lyu Masuda – 26
  • James Magnussen and Natalie Lowe – 27
  • Issa Shultz and Lily Cornish – 20
  • Mary Coustas and Aric Yegudkin – 18
  • Matt Preston and Jess Raffa – 10
  • Gavin Wanganeen and Megan Wragg – 8

Watch Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 on Sundays at 7.00pm on 7 and 7Plus.

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