'Dancing with the Stars' season 22 kicks off; dance-by-dance recap

LOS ANGELES -- It's time to break out the sequins and the spray tanners: We're back in the ballroom for "Dancing with the Stars." Twelve celebrities get their respective grooves on to launch season 22 of the competitive reality show. And head judge Len Goodman returns! Here's a recap of their performances and scores, from highest to lowest:

Ginger Zee - 23 out of 30

The GMA meteorologist and new mom often shows her fun side on morning television, but this show is really showcasing her personality and sense of humor. Val Chmerkovskiy had to learn very quickly that he's got a spitfire this season. He teaches her a fast and fun jive and it gets everyone in the ballroom on their feet. Len told Ginger she was a ray of sunshine; Bruno Tonioli told Ginger the forecast was good for her future here, and Carrie Ann Inaba said Ginger reminds her of last season's champ, Bindi Irwin.

Nyle DiMarco - 23 out of 30

Nyle's a veteran of reality television. He won "America's Next Top Model" and is strikingly handsome. He's also deaf. But Nyle wants to show the deaf community that they can strive for and achieve whatever they want. Pro dancer Peta Murgatroyd said she had to change her way of teaching to accommodate Nyle's needs. Whatever she taught, he learned, and everyone's jaws in the ballroom dropped with this routine. He never lost the beat. Len said he initially wasn't sure what to expect but thought the dance was terrific. Bruno called him America's next top dancer, and Carrie Ann said she had mixed emotions. First, he's hot. Then, once he started dancing, she realized he's a contender and called them a beautiful team to watch.

Wanya Morris - 23 out of 30

The Boyz II Men singer has a lofty goal: He doesn't want to simply look like a singer who's trying to dance, he wants to be a dancer. He also let us know he's wanted to do the show ever since another boy-bander, Joey Fatone, was on back in 2007. Lindsay Arnold plays to his strengths with their Cha Cha. Len liked the Cha Cha portions, but wasn't pleased when a little hip-hop action was tossed in. Carrie Ann thinks he's a twinkle toes in the making, and Bruno thought the dance was precise and filled with swagger.

Paige Van Zant - 21 out of 30

The 21-year-old UFC fighter wants to show people she has another, more "girly" side. Two-time champ Mark Ballas has a diamond in the rough with this young woman, and he knows it. Her debut dance is a flowing foxtrot and has all the judges pleasantly surprised. Len complimented her posture, Bruno said he didn't expect her to be so light on her feet, and Carrie Ann thought she was fearless.

Antonio Brown - 21 out of 30

The Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver lights up the room with his smile and energy. Sharna Burgess is the pro who's writing the playback to get him to the finals. Their first dance: the quickstep, and it's "boomin'!" (His catch phrase we'll be hearing often.) Bruno praised his charm and energy but warned Antonio to channel it a bit. Len acknowledged it's a tough dance and they did well but not great. Carrie Ann thought it was magic and wild and she wants to see more!

Von Miller - 21 out of 30

Another football great foxtrots in for season 22. Denver Broncos Von Miller was just named MVP at the Super Bowl. Now he'd like to add some more bling to his trophy case with the mirror ball. He thinks dance rehearsal feels like training camp, and he calls his partner, Witney Carson, a Barbie drill sergeant. The size difference with these two could be an issue but they worked it out for week one. Carrie Ann thought his moves were soft and silky. Len appreciated he went for the dance in a proper way, and Bruno loves his charisma but wants him to work on technique to go along with it.

Marla Maples - 21 out of 30

Should we have a game that earns points for every Donald Trump reference? She's obviously had to handle questions about her ex for years and does it with grace. She brought that same graceful nature to the dance floor and nailed the quickstep, one of the hardest dances on the show. Marla says her goal is to show all 50-somethings that you've got to live life to the fullest. And, she does a cartwheel! Len called it terrific and filled with vim and vigor. Carrie Ann thought it was fun and a spectacle in the best way. Bruno made a bad Trump joke.

Kim Fields - 20 out of 30

We've loved her since she played Tootie on the sitcom "The Facts of Life," and now Kim hopes to Cha Cha Cha her way to mirror ball glory. She shows that Tootie "spunk" from her first meeting with pro Sasha Farber through rehearsal and into the ballroom. The judges were pleased, with Len praising her timing and Carrie Ann her fierceness.

Jodie Sweetin - 20 out of 30

Another sitcom childhood sweetheart enters the ballroom! Jodie grew up as her alter ego Stephanie Tanner on "Full House" (and is now on the sequel "Fuller House"). Now, she's hoping to reinvent herself as a grownup. Her first dance is a tango and Keo Motsepe choreographs to her strengths. Len liked her spirit, attack and attitude. Bruno thought the dance was alluring and strong, and Carrie Ann called the routine impressive.

Mischa Barton - 16 out of 30

It looks like Mischa came into this thinking she was a dancer, but the dance lessons she had growing up didn't seem to help when it came to the ballroom world. Her partner Artem Chigvintsev learned she is not a "natural" dancer, but she tried. Carrie Ann gave her big props for trying and appreciates her strong spirit. Bruno asked to see more of a spark, but Len leveled the final blow. He told her that wasn't a dance, it was walking. Ouch!

Doug Flutie - 15 out of 30

If he wins this, do you think Doug would put the mirror ball trophy right next to his Heisman? The former football great readily admits he is not a dancer, but life is full of challenges and he's ready to tackle this one. All three judges gave him high marks for commitment and attitude; however, they let him know he needs to improve if he's going to stay in the race.

Geraldo Rivera - 13 out of 30

Geraldo has spent a career in front of the camera as a newsman but it looked like he froze up a bit when the lights and music came up. There was a lot of smiling, and partner Edyta Sliwinska danced her heart out around him. Geraldo, however, really didn't move during his Cha Cha. Bruno called it "minimalistic" dancing. Len softened it a bit by calling him a work in progress. Carrie Ann said he needs to loosen up and just move.

All twelve couples return next Monday for another round, but one couple will be eliminated.