'Dancing With the Stars' week 1: Dance-by-dance recap

LOS ANGELES -- The sequins, the spray tans, the glitz and the glamour...it all adds up to a new season of "Dancing With the Stars." Thirteen new couples have started the quest for mirror-ball glory. The two-hour premiere, which kicked off season 21, saw some highs and lows and showed we're in for a wild ride this season! Thanks, Gary Busey!

No couples were eliminated during this first week.

Here's a rundown of the debut dance routines, from highest score to lowest:

BINDI IRWIN - 24 out of 30

The 17-year-old daughter of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin has an infectious smile and crazy teenage energy. She and Derek Hough earned the biggest response from the fans in the ballroom for their Jive. And, adorably, they danced to "Crocodile Rock." The judges gave them "8s" across the board. Julianne Hough said Bindi has it all. Carrie Ann Inaba felt their energy was contagious and Bruno Tonioli said the routine was clean and precise, and that Bindi's charm translated throughout the ballroom.

NICK CARTER - 24 out of 30

"Backstreet Boy" Nick Carter tied with Bindi for the top spot this first week. His partner Sharna Burgess said having Nick as a partner is surreal to her because she had his posters on her wall as a young teen. Julianne later said the same thing! Nick is insecure about his dancing and said he always tries to hide behind his other BSB bandmates on stage. Carrie Ann called him out for letting his nerves show a bit at the beginning, but he overcame them and nailed the Cha-Cha.

TAMAR BRAXTON - 23 out of 30

Tamar and last season's champ, Val Chmerkovskiy, established a playful brother/sister banter right away. She admitted her reason for challenging herself with the show is that she's a new mom and after her baby came she lost a little "pep in her step." They performed a lovely Quickstep, which had some tough choreography for week one. Bruno thought the routine was high octane, high volume and high speed. Carrie Ann called her elegant, and Julianne thought it was a great first dance.

CARLOS PENAVEGA - 23 out of 30

Carlos is an actor and singer who has a little dance background from his boy band "Big Time Rush." But he's never done ballroom and is now at the mercy of Witney Carson. The real fun is that his wife Alexa is also competing - making them the first married couple to go head-to-head in the ballroom. There's a friendly rivalry starting, but it always ends with a hug and a kiss. Carlos's Jive was highly energetic and Julianne thinks he's a completely natural, strong and solid performer. Carrie Ann complimented his musicality.

ALEXA PENAVEGA- 22 out of 30

Then there's Carlos' better half. Alexa and Mark Ballas also danced the Jive and were equally successful with the tough dance. Bruno loved her kicks and flicks. Julianne was impressed by how much content Mark put in the choreography and how well Alexa could keep up with him.

ALEK SKARLATOS - 22 out of 30

Alek knows he's not really a star, in the usual sense on this show, but he proved himself to be worthy of the spotlight, and the pressure, after helping to take down a terror suspect on a Paris bound train. His latest challenge is the Foxtrot with Lindsay Arnold. He said he has never, ever danced before but Alek is a great student and he brought it all to the ballroom. Carrie Ann confessed she didn't expect him to be as good as he is and praised his grace and technique. Julianne called him the surprise of the night.

ANDY GRAMMER - 21 out of 30

Singer Andy Grammer joined the cast in his late mom's honor. She loved dancing and he feels like she's in the ballroom with him. Awwww!! Allison Holker is back for her third season and choreographed an elegant Foxtrot. Bruno called him dashing and confident. Carrie Ann liked their energy, and Julianne liked their connection.

HAYES GRIER - 21 out of 30

Fifteen-year-old social media star Hayes Grier has a very good reason for learning how to dance: he wants to impress the ladies at prom! Emma Slater's routine was fun and age appropriate. Julianne told Hayes he's got a real natural ability and he should cultivate that more. Bruno called him the "Boy Wonder," and Carrie Ann thinks he has a great stage persona.

PAULA DEEN - 15 out of 30

The southern chef hasn't danced for many years but wants to learn, wants to move and wants to have some fun. Louis Van Amstel is back in the ballroom as Paula's guide. They do a Quickstep to "Hey Good Lookin', What You Got Cookin'." Paula looks a bit lost and she admitted she was a bundle of nerves. Carrie Ann thought it looked like she was being dragged around by Louis. Julianne agreed, saying she seemed to be holding on to her pro dancer for dear life. Bruno told her to take a deep breath and come back strong next week.

VICTOR ESPINOZA - 15 out of 30

The jockey who rode American Pharoah is completely new to the dance world. He has perseverance and drive, but not a lot of rhythm. He can move those hips though! Karina Smirnoff returns to the show and choreographed a horse-racing themed salsa routine. The judges praised his energy, with Julianne saying big things can come in small packages.

GARY BUSEY - 15 out of 30

Wild card Gary Busey will be a handful for returning pro Anna Trebunskya. He speaks his own language, but the Russian-born Anna seems to somehow understand him. Gary makes it through a Cha-Cha, with Bruno likening it to a summer blockbuster movie - full of destruction but you can't look away! Julianne told Gary he had stolen America's hearts.

CHAKA KHAN - 13 out or 30

Legendary singer Chaka Khan is paired with Keo Motsepe, who is understandably awed by her. They dance the Cha-Cha to her biggest hit, "I Feel for You," and have a good time. Problem was, there wasn't a lot of real content in the routine. All the judges call them out for the choreography, but ask for more technique next week.

KIM ZOLCIAK BIERMANN - 12 out of 30

The "Real Housewife" has left Atlanta for the Hollywood ballroom. But it seems she left some of her moxy back in Georgia. She was almost timid on the dance floor, which doesn't play well in a salsa routine. All three judges asked her to come back and not hold back. Time to fire it up and sell it!

"Dancing With the Stars" returns for a two-night special next week. We'll see eliminations on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22.