Selma Blair Brings Ballroom to Tears During First Dancing With the Stars Performance

Dancing With the Stars kicked off its 31st season (and first season on Disney+) last night, and one performance left many in tears. 

While several of the evening's dances were emotional, the night's big moment came when Selma Blair, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2018, took the stage. Alongside partner (and neighbor) Sasha Farber, the actress dances the Viennese waltz to David Cook's "Time of My Life". 

Before the performance, Blair admitted in an interview that she was anxious about her balance, having lost feeling in her left leg due to MS. "I have underestimated me in the past and I have proved myself wrong," she said. "So don’t underestimate me."

By the time her waltz was over, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Blair's family and friends, as well as fellow contestant Jordin Sparks, wiped away tears, and judge Carrie Ann Inaba struggled to speak through her own emotions. "I’m just so touched as somebody who is from the invisible illness community," Inaba said. "Seeing you come out here with your circumstances and just making everyone aware that you are fully able to do and achieve anything you put your mind to."

Blair and Farber ended the evening tied for third place, and the actress found herself getting emotional, too. "I'm so grateful," said Blair. "I've never danced and this is a dream come true, so thank you."

Dancing With the Stars streams Mondays at 8PM on Disney+. 

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Jade Budowski is a freelance writer with a knack for ruining punchlines and harboring dad-aged celebrity crushes. She was previously a reporter/producer at Decider and is a member of the Television Critics Association. Follow her on Twitter: @jadebudowski.