Derek Hough got a contestant’s name wrong on live television, and “Dancing With the Stars” fans made sure everyone noticed.
During Tuesday night’s Season 35 premiere, the six-time Mirrorball champion turned judge was giving feedback to contestant Tyler Cameron when he called him “Dylan” instead.
“Dylan, you have this, like, Patrick Swayze aura about you, right? You’re cool, masculine, just effortless. It really is amazing, truly,” Hough said.
Viewers caught the mistake immediately and headed to social media to point it out. “Did Derek call Tyler Dylan?! 🤣,” one fan wrote. Another asked, “Am I the only one who heard Derek call Tyler Cameron Dylan🤣🤣.”
Reactions ranged from amused to annoyed. One person said the mixup had them “giggling so hard,” while another wrote, “Can Derek get their names right, who’s Dylan??”
One theory floated online pointed to a possible source of the confusion: “Bro Derek thinks Tyler Cameron is Dylan Efron from last year.” Dylan Efron finished fourth last season with pro partner Daniella Karagach and was a fan favorite.
Hough has not addressed the moment publicly.
The Scores
Name mixup aside, Hough told the “Bachelor Nation” alum he could be “fantastic” if he pairs his “presence” with better “technique, the frame and the posture.”
Cameron and pro partner Sharna Burgess scored a 17 out of 30 for their tango to Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way.”
Judge Bruno Tonioli said he was “very pleasantly surprised,” noting, “Look at him, he’s a tank.” He added that despite “a few hiccups here or there,” Cameron has “so much potential.”
Carrie Ann Inaba called the routine “really solid” and praised Cameron’s “commanding presence,” saying, “I am beyond impressed. That was amazing.” She drew boos from the studio audience, however, when she criticized Burgess for a lift in which her foot came off the floor, remarking, “Lifts are still a thing.”
Who Else Is Competing
Cameron was one of eight male celebrities who performed on “Premiere: Night One,” each dancing to a No. 1 song from the year they were born. The lineup also included Paralympian gold medalist Ezra Frech, Hanson singer Taylor Hanson, “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Conner Leavitt, Savannah Bananas star Jackson Olson, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” personality Guillermo Rodriguez, “Glee” alum Harry Shum Jr. and comedian Connor Wood.
“Premiere: Night Two,” airing Wednesday, features the eight female celebrities dancing to a chart-topper from their birth year: Tatyana Ali, Giada De Laurentiis, Jenna Dewan, Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn, Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Sarah Jane Nader and Julia Stiles.
After this week’s two-night premiere, “Dancing With the Stars” moves to its regular Tuesday 8 p.m. ET slot on ABC and Disney+, streaming on Hulu the next day.
