The “Summer House” star told EW that she felt “a sense of relief” after taking the dance floor.

Ciara Miller explains why she became ‘really quiet’ after first DWTS performance

The “Summer House” star told EW that she felt “a sense of relief” after taking the dance floor.

By Shelby Stivale

Shelby Stivale

Shelby Stivale is a senior writer at **. She has been working at EW since July 2026. Her work has previously appeared on Us Weekly and J-14.

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September 17, 2026 2:54 p.m. ET

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Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong on ‘Dancing With the Stars’. Credit:

Disney/Eric McCandless

- Ciara Miller offered * *insight into her headspace during the *Dancing With the Stars *season 35 premiere.

- The *Summer House *star explained why she was “really quiet” after her performance.

- “I feel a sense of relief,” she added.

*Dancing With the Stars*’ season 35 premiere night came with a new feeling for Ciara Miller.

The *Summer House** *star told * *after the Wednesday live show that she was “out of sorts” after performing her debut routine set to “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” by Whitney Houston. “I was like, ‘What is this feeling?’” Miller admitted.

She was “really quiet” after the routine came to an end because she was still processing “everything” going on. “But I feel a sense of relief,” the Bravo star continued. “We did it, the first dance is over.”

Brandon Armstrong and Ciara Miller on ‘Dancing With the Stars’.

Disney/Eric McCandless

Miller and her partner, Brandon Armstrong, received a 15 out of 30 for their performance. When discussing what it’s like to work with Miller, Armstrong told EW that the reality star has “a lot more layers” than people know.

“It’s like an onion,” he joked. “I think that people, particularly women, are put in a very particular type of box on television. You’re either too emotional, you’re not emotional enough. ... I think that’s all a lot of bulls---. It’s refreshing to see somebody, like Ciara. In this process particularly, with *Dancing With the Stars*, I just want her to be able to express herself however she feels like that’s authentic.”

Armstrong continued, “That’s what I think is exciting about that. I’ve learned that about Ciara, there’s a lot to her. There’s a lot to show off.”

Miller’s first *DWTS* appearance came on the heels of a tough few months. Earlier this year, it was revealed that Miller’s ex West Wilson had moved on with her best friend Amanda Batula. What followed was an emotional *Summer House *reunion that ended in tears for several of the show’s cast members.

Following Miller’s dance on Wednesday, judge Carrie Ann Inaba got emotional when praising Miller for putting so much emotion into the routine. “I can see the pain that you have. I can feel it,” she said.

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Fans were quick to comment on Miller’s stoic facial expression while she received feedback from the judges. She’s since explained what was going on in her head at the the time.

“Guys just know I was petrified all night, please don’t read into my facial expressions,” Miller shared via Threads. “I was also trying not to have a melt down pre-show.”

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Miller also hinted at said “meltdown” while speaking with EW. She said that there was “a lot of anxiety” before the live show, praising Armstrong for how he handled her nerves: “I’m on a ledge and he’s backing me away from the edge slowly.”

New episodes of* Dancing With the Stars* season 35 premiere on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.

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Source: “EW Dancing”