The highly anticipated new season of Let’s Dance officially kicked off on Friday night on RTL, marking the first competitive episode after last week’s introductory show. With celebrity contestants taking to the dance floor alongside their professional partners, the excitement was palpable. However, as the competition intensified, one couple saw their journey come to an early end.
Taliso Engel Shines Once Again
Paralympic swimmer Taliso Engel (22) continued to establish himself as one of the show’s early frontrunners. Dancing a quickstep with his partner, Patricija Ionel (30), Engel impressed the panel, led by judge Motsi Mabuse (43). The performance earned him a solid 23 points, securing his place in the next round—though his progression was never in doubt, thanks to the direct ticket he earned in the relay opener.
Gymnast Fabian Hambüchen (37) and his partner, Anastasia Maruster (27), also delivered an excellent jive, matching Engel’s score with another 23 points. Despite initial nerves and “really weak knees,” Hambüchen received rare praise from notoriously tough judge Joachim Llambi (60), who commended his rhythm and technical precision. Reality TV star Leyla Lahouar (28) and singer Jeanette Biedermann (45), both of whom were absent due to illness, are set to return next week.
Joachim Llambi Sparks Audience Outrage
True to form, long-standing judge Joachim Llambi didn’t hold back his critiques. Singer Ben Zucker (41) and Malika Dzumaev (34) performed a Viennese waltz, but Zucker’s timing issues drew Llambi’s ire. “Music is the foundation of dance,” he warned before delivering a scathing review. He criticized Zucker’s lack of rhythm and inability to stay on beat, ultimately awarding him just one point. The audience responded with loud boos, but despite the harsh judgment, Zucker and Dzumaev survived the elimination, moving on to the next round with a mere nine jury points.
Tense Moments for Two Dance Couples
Comedian Osan Yaran (38) and his partner Christina Hänni (35) struggled with their tango, failing to impress Llambi. “There was no feeling, no passion—just walking,” he remarked, awarding only ten points. Yaran was left in jeopardy, awaiting his fate at the end of the night.
Influencer Paola Maria (31) and professional dancer Massimo Sinató (44) also faced uncertainty. Their slow waltz earned them twelve jury points, but their performance didn’t resonate with the RTL audience. Given Sinató’s popularity, it seemed unlikely that he would be eliminated so early in the season.
Diverse Performances Across the Board
Several contestants found themselves in the middle of the leaderboard. Actress Christine Neubauer (62) and Evgeny Vinokurov (34) earned 18 points for their routine, while stuntwoman Marie Mouroum and Alexandru Ionel followed closely behind with 16 points.
Meanwhile, Diego Pooth and Ekaterina Leonova (cha-cha-cha, 19 points), Marc Eggers and Renata Lusin (tango, 20 points), and actress Simone Thomalla with Evgeny Vinokurov (slow waltz, 18 points) delivered promising performances.
YouTuber Selfiesandra and Zsolt Sándor Cseke also left an impression. Despite technical imperfections, Mabuse praised her passion, and even Llambi acknowledged her fearless attitude. “You can all kiss my ass,” he joked, summing up her confidence. The duo earned 14 points for their cha-cha-cha.
First Elimination of the Season
As the evening drew to a close, it all came down to a tense decision between comedian Osan Yaran and influencer Paola Maria. Ultimately, Maria was saved, while Yaran became the first contestant to be eliminated from Let’s Dance 2025.
With the competition officially underway, the remaining celebrities will need to step up their game as they prepare for next week’s performances. If the opening night was any indication, viewers can expect a season full of surprises, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments on the dance floor.
