Dance with the junior stars: who was eliminated the first night

Dance with the stars: Juniors is on a dramatic start!

On Sunday's premiere, Tripp Palin Johnston – with partner Hailey Bills and mentor Jenna Johnson – and MasterChef Junior Champion Addison Osta Smith – along with his partner Lev Khmelev and his mentor Keo Motsepe – were eliminated after a full night of epic performances.

"I wanted to do Dance with the stars: Juniors because my mom was in the show and it looked fun, "said Palin Johnston, 9, at PEOPLE exclusively. "I was nervous when my mom showed me clips of young dancers. I have never danced before. I've worked beyond nerves by just reminding myself of having fun.

And although his presence in the competition was short-lived, he left with another lesson learned.

"I've learned that even though I'm not the best, I can always do my best and have fun," he added.

Johnson said, "The biggest challenge I faced as a junior coach was accepting that I could not go on stage and play with them and / or help them in the routine in case of a problem. . Usually, during the regular season, I can help my partner during the show and count him in the routine! I had to trust my niece, Hailey, to guide Tripp throughout the show.

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"I'm so proud of Tripp and Hailey," she continued. "Tripp had never played nor danced before and so it was a great achievement for him to have the courage to perform in front of millions of people."

During his time in the series, Palin Johnston, a shy and reserved man, received much support from his mother, Bristol Palin, and his grandmother, Sarah Palin.

"My mother said to do my best and have fun, my grandmother said the same thing," he said.

And while Osta Smith, the first girl and the youngest candidate to win a victory MasterChef Junior At the age of 10, she failed to move on to the next round. She will be 13 years old and will stay busy while continuing to prepare her first cookbook while encouraging children and adults to do what they love.

DWTS Jordan Fisher and Frankie Muniz, season 25, will be the hosts of this season. Adam Rippon, Olympic figure skater, DWTS two-time professional champion Val Chmerkovskiy and Emmy winner of the Mirror Ball, La La Land choreographer Mandy Moore as judges.

"I have been working with a lot of young kids for a few years now and I think I realized that I always get the most of my honesty, but I can make fun of it, but in a way where they feel let down their guard because so I'll tell them something serious, "Rippon told PEOPLE.

"I am the kind of judge I am as a coach, I try to be funny and break the tension, but I am serious," he added. "Because it's serious, it does not mean that you have to feel life and death."

Dance with the stars: Juniors broadcast on Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC.