The 18th season of "Let’s Dance" kicked off with great excitement on February 21, 2025, featuring 14 celebrity contestants aiming to claim the title of Dancing Star. This year, the competition includes notable personalities such as actress Christine Neubauer, former athlete Fabian Hambüchen, YouTuber Marc Eggers, and pop singer Jeanette Biedermann, among others. The show airs every Friday at 8:15 PM on RTL, providing fans with captivating performances and the thrill of live eliminations.
Following the initial excitement, the first elimination night revealed some shocking twists. Commencing the competition as is tradition, no contestant was sent home during the first episode, allowing all participants to showcase their dance skills without the immediate pressure of elimination. Competition did heat up, though, as the remaining participants prepared for the subsequent episodes.
After the initial group dances, the show erupted with individual performances, establishing the stage for votes from both the jury and the audience. The jury, comprised of well-known judges including Motsi Mabuse, Joachim Llambi, and Jorge Gonzalez, evaluated each performance, granting points based on skill and presentation.
On February 28, 2025, the competition took its first major toll with comedian Osan Yaran becoming the first celebrity eliminated from the show. Yaran and his partner, professional dancer Christina Hänni, performed the tango but failed to secure enough viewer votes to remain competitive. Despite receiving ten points from the jury, it was not sufficient to keep them dancing for another round. "Let’s Dance" host Daniel Hartwich and Victoria Swarovski announced the devastating news to the duo moments after the results were finalized, marking the end of the road for Yaran and Hänni.
While the comedian's departure marked the first exit from the competition, it was not the only noteworthy episode for this season. The anxiety heightened as two prominent contestants, Leyla Lahouar and Jeanette Biedermann, were unable to compete due to health concerns affecting their participation. Lahouar and Biedermann, both received medical advice urging them to refrain from performing, casting uncertainty over their roles but allowing them to potentially return once recovered.
This unusual circumstances surrounding the early elimination led to mixed reactions from fans. Many took to social media to express their disappointment over the decision to proceed with eliminations during the inaugural weeks, especially with two popular contestants unable to showcase their talents due to illness. Some fans questioned the fairness of the system, advocating for no eliminations until all competitors had competed under equal conditions.
Despite the emotional rollercoaster, the show continues to garner attention, with viewers tuning in to catch the drama of dancing and competition. Following the major reduction to the participant lineup, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics shift and how prospective winners will emerge from the new selection of performers.
Performers are vigorously training, aiming to captivate both the audience and jury with their upcoming performances. Eligible pairs know they must give it their all to avoid elimination next week, following Yaran’s unfortunate exit.
Taliso Engel, one of the favored contestants, secured his place directly to the next round through his exceptional performance during the initial show. He and his partner, Patricija Ionel, earned positive acclaim, positioning them well as front runners moving forward. Notably, Engel, who also embodies inspiration for many, exemplifies resilience and dedication shown throughout the competition.
Looking forward, each couple understands their fate lies within their synergy and skills on the dance floor. The thrilling aspect of the live broadcasts not only brings the excitement of performances but also raises the stakes with the audience's involvement – where votes can make or break a pair’s dreams.
With the next installment of "Let’s Dance" approaching, anticipation is rising for who will stand out and who will face the difficulty of elimination. Will more fan-favorites be swayed by audience votes, or will they rise against the competition? One thing remains certain: the quest for the crown of Dancing Star is still very much alive.
For fans wishing to experience the dancing excitement first-hand, tickets for the live shows are already available, with the tour planned to take place across various German cities later this year, including stops at Berlin and Leipzig. The show promises to keep audiences engaged with the charms of reality competition framed within the artistry of dance.