'Dancing With the Stars' Season 21, Episode 1 Recap: Bindi Irwin, Nick Carter take top scores

Here’s how the new dancing stars fared on the first night:

Victor Espinoza and Karina Smirnoff

First out of the gate was jockey and Triple Crown winner, Victor Espinoza and partner, Karina Smirnoff. They were in for quite the lackluster equestrian-themed ride.

Espinoza — whose height reached Smirnoff’s chest — danced a salsa number heavy on booty shaking and lacking in salsa, as judge Carrie Ann Inaba pointed out.

The duo scored 15 points out of a possible 30.

Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy

“The Real” co-host known for her loud comments was tamed on the dance floor.

She and partner, Val Cherkovskiy — current reigning champion — wowed judges with their quickstep, earning 23 points.

“It blew me away. That is one of the hardest dances,” Inaba said.

Chaka Khan and Keo Motsepe

Having judges who loudly voiced their adoration for her singing didn’t take Chaka Khan far.

The judges nicely pointed out her missteps on her cha-cha-cha. The Queen of Funk admitted to forgetting the choreography and promised to do better next week.

She left the dance floor with 13 points, making it one of the lowest scores of the night.

Hayes Grier and Emma Slater

This teen won some hearts over on the dance floor.

The 15-year-old Vine star, Hayes Grier was praised for his stage persona and natural musicality. Dancer Emma Slater embraced her partner’s youth, choreographing a school-themed danced with her as a cheerleader and Grier as an athlete.

They scored 21 points.

Andy Grammar and Allison Holker

The “Honey, I’m Good” singer said he was taking to the dance floor in honor of his mother who passed away six years ago and loved dance.

His mom would have been proud. The singer danced away with 21 points and was praised by Hough for his connection with partner, Allison Holker.

Paula Deen and Louis Van Amstel

This number was lacking in some southern charm. The kitchen-themed dance did not win over judges, neither did the outlandish chef’s comments on soiling her underwear.

Hough said Deen was “holding on to Louie for dear life” and Inaba agreed, saying the star was dragged around the dance floor.

The pair earned 15 points.

Carlos Pena Vega and Witney Carson

Throwing a little more drama into the competition is the first married couple to compete against each other. Carlos Pena Vega, one half of the Pena Vega marriage, beat his wife by one point.

The singer, known for boy-band Big Time Rush, was called the “most natural performer” of the night by Inaba. Earning a score of 23, Tonioli gave the star his only 7, calling for him to release the “devil” inside.

Alexa Vega and Mark Ballas

Judge Inaba predicted the “Spy Kids” actress would go far in the competition.

Vega and her two-time champion partner Mark Ballas (donning a man-bun!) delivered a sensual jive, which won 22 points — a point shy of her husband’s score.

Kim Zolciak Biermann and Tony Dovolani

Whether they were real or not, the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” was quite tearful post-dance, blaming her stiff moves on her obsession for perfection.

Dressed in a sexy Egyptian goddess ensemble, Biermann’s dance was on the “grounds of divorce,” as Tonioli said.

She took away the lowest score of the night, with 12 points.

Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough

Hough described it as “the best performance of the night.” Tonioli called her “the wonder from down under” and Inaba called Bindi Irwin’s jive “just beautiful.”

The daughter of the late Steve Irwin got the loudest audience response, winning the crowd over with her bubbly personality and sharp performance.

Of course, Irwin and Hough danced to Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock.”

The 17-year-old received 24 points, making it the highest score of the night, tied only with Nick Carter.

Gary Busey and Anna Trebunskaya

“Dancing with the Stars” gave audiences a bright blue sequin-blazer wearing Gary Busey.

The once upon a time Oscar nominated actor and reality star definitely gave it his all, as Inaba said, but it wasn’t enough.

The 71-year-old ended the night with 15 points and delivered an uncomfortable post-interview, reading Erin Andrews’ lines from her teleprompter at one point.

“I don’t know how great of a cha-cha that was but we were entertained,” added Hough.

Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold

Two months ago no one knew Alek Skarlatos but now his star continues to rise, with the dance-newbie earning 22 points.

The American off-duty soldier made headlines in August when he, along with two other men, tackled a gunman on a Paris-bound train.

“It took my breath away,” said Inaba of the dance.

Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess

Audience members swooned over boy-band member, Nick Carter, and so did the judges.

Surprisingly, Carter said he joined the show to overcome his “dancing insecurities”

Burgess managed to mix in an iconic Backstreet Boys dance move into the pair’s cha-cha. The singer earned 24 points, tying with Bindi Irwin for the highest score.

Dancing with the Stars returns Tuesday night at 9 p.m. for a two-hour recap, with exclusive interviews and unaired footage. While no couple will be eliminated during the first week, two stars will say goodbye to the dance floor during the second week.