A Return to the Ballroom
Hilaria Baldwin, the 41-year-old author and entrepreneur, has stepped into the spotlight of “Dancing with the Stars” for its 34th season, and she is holding nothing back about the emotional and physical toll of returning to the dance floor. Paired with professional dancer Gleb Savchenko, Baldwin made a strong debut, but she admits the journey is far from easy, describing it as “uncomfortable and embarrassing sometimes.”
Despite a background in ballroom dance, Baldwin has been away from the competitive circuit for 16 years after a severe hip injury forced her to stop. Re-entering that world after having seven children has been a profound challenge. “I mean, some of it is like visiting a familiar friend when you’re older, and you’ve had a lot of children, and broken some bones, if you can relate to that,” she explained. “But also, some of it is brand new. [My partner], Gleb Savchenko, is asking me to dance on a much higher level than I ever danced.”
Pushing Past Comfort Zones
Baldwin is candid about her internal struggle, constantly reminding herself of her reasons for joining the show. “I keep on reminding myself: I didn’t sign up for this to be comfortable. I signed up for this to do hard things and to be brave,” she stated. This mindset is supported by her partner, Savchenko, 42, who she calls “the perfect person to do that with.”
Savchenko has been equally impressed with Baldwin’s dedication, praising her work ethic. “Hilaria’s such a hard worker, and I’m just so impressed with the passion that she puts into it,” he gushed. He described her as a “perfectionist” who constantly pushes to refine the smallest details, a quality he believes is the “spirit of a true champion.” He noted that he challenges her to be independent in her routines, ensuring she isn’t just relying on him to guide her through the steps.
A Strong Start and Family Support
The pair’s hard work paid off during the season premiere on September 16, 2025. They performed a cha-cha to Jennifer Lopez’s “Let’s Get Loud,” earning a score of 14 out of 20 from judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, securing the second-highest score of the night. For their next performance, they are set to tackle a tango to the hit “What Is Love.”
Supporting her from the audience was her husband, Alec Baldwin, who has been a major proponent of her participation for years. The entire Baldwin family, including their seven children, relocated to Los Angeles for the duration of the competition. “It’s such a dream to have my family here,” Hilaria said. While Alec was seen cheering her on, some fans noted his stoic “poker face” during a particularly steamy moment of the dance, sparking a minor buzz online.
Setting the Record Straight
Baldwin also took the opportunity to clarify how she landed her spot on the show, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. She refuted claims made by co-host Julianne Hough that she had actively “campaigned” for a role. “That’s actually not true. I did not campaign. It was, like, not on my radar,” Baldwin clarified. She explained that producers contacted her just days before the official cast announcement, and she made a “spur-of-the-moment decision” to join the diverse lineup, which includes wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and social media influencer Alix Earle, as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com.
For Baldwin and her family, this new chapter on a national stage represents a chance to move forward after several challenging years. By embracing the vulnerability and rigor of the competition, she is not only rediscovering a long-lost passion but also demonstrating a public display of resilience.
