Overview

• Baldwin debuted a Cha Cha to “Let’s Get Loud” with pro partner Gleb Savchenko and received positive notes from judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
• Alec Baldwin attended rehearsals and the live taping, praising her work ethic and calling her comeback meaningful after past injury.
• Addressing pre-show chatter, Baldwin denied she lobbied for a slot and said producers called her only days before the cast announcement.
• She said only her four oldest children watched from the audience, and stepdaughter Ireland Baldwin publicly posted support ahead of the premiere.
• Baldwin described lingering daily pain from a hip injury that sidelined her years ago and brushed off claims of an unfair advantage, pointing to the season’s deep talent.