DWTS: Juniors: Honey Boo Boo transforms into 'a beautiful young lady' but Bristol Palin’s son Tripp is eliminated in premiere episode

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Dancing With The Stars: Juniors made its grand premiere Sunday night on ABC. 

The DWTS spin-off features twelve celebrity children and the children of celebrities that are each paired with a professional junior ballroom dancer and an adult mentor.  

Two couples were eliminated at the end of the two-hour debut: Tripp Johnston, son of DWTS alum Bristol Palin, partner Hailey Bills and mentor Jenna Johnson didn't make the first cut, as well as Master Chef Junior champion Addison Osta Smith, her partner Lev Khmelev and mentor Keo Motsepe. 

Grand debut: Alana 'Honey Boo Boo' Thompson made a huge transformation in the premiere episode of  Dancing With The Stars: Juniors on Sunday

Great effort, but missed the mark: Bristol Palin's son Tripp Johnston was among the two celebrity children who was eliminated in the two-hour special

Things went much better for Alana ‘Honey Boo Boo’ Thompson, who transformed from a road-kill munching hillbilly to a ‘beautiful young lady’ in the series premiere.

The 12-year-old reality star danced a salsa with her 13-year-old pro partner Tristan Ianiero – scoring a very respectable 19 out of 30. 

Things were a little tense before Alana’s dance when her mother June Shannon, a.k.a. Mama June, dropped by to lecture her partner Tristan.

‘All I got to say to you is don’t be looking her direction, just dance for her very nicely, otherwise you’ll have her step-father to attend to,’ warned the 39-year-old reality star.

Honey who? Alana, 12, danced a salsa with her 13-year-old pro partner Tristan Ianiero

Wow factor: The partners stunned in a blue and fuchsia ensemble during their routine

Laying down the law: ‘All I got to say to you is don’t be looking her direction, just dance for her very nicely, otherwise you’ll have her step-father to attend to,’ warned Mama June during the initial meeting of Honey Boo Boo's team

Practice makes perfect: The young reality star struggled during the the initial practice session

Alana struggled a little bit in rehearsals, trying to lay fault on Tristan.

‘Don’t blame it on me, this is on us!’ he exclaimed.

Despite some red faces and hiccups Boo Boo came out looking like a champ.

‘Honey Boo Boo who? I’m talking about Alana right now, a beautiful young lady out there,’ praised judge Mandy Moore, an Emmy Award winning choreographer.

‘You were right in character and you held up the whole performance throughout,’ said her fellow judge Adam Rippon, a figure skater and Athletes celebrity champion.

Third judge Valentin Chmerkovskiy, a Ukrainian-American pro from DWTS, smiled and added: ‘For me the most beautiful thing about you is your confidence…you love life.'

‘I feel like a proud parent, but most of all I feel really nauseous, I’m so glad it’s over, ’ laughed Boo Boo’s mentor Artem Chigvintsev.

Lovin' it: Judges Many Moore, Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Adam Rippon were all impressed with Alana's confidence and transformation into a dancer

Unity: Alana, Tristan and mentor Artem Chigvintev got a very respectable 19 out of 30

Star power: Stevie Wonder’s son Mandla Morris met partner Brightyn Brems and mentor Cheryl Burke as the music legend sat behind the piano

Showing support: ‘It’s really exciting to see Mandla be part of the celebration with Dancing With the Stars,’ said Stevie Wonder 

Stevie Wonder’s son Mandla Morris, a 13-year-old fashion designer, did a jive with Brightyn Brems.

‘It’s really exciting to see Mandla be part of the celebration with Dancing With the Stars,’ said Stevie Wonder.

After coaching from Cheryl Burke, Mandla got a 24, which tied him for the top score of the night.

‘Who are you? What do you mean you’ve never danced before? That was professional!’ yelled Mandy with enthusiasm.

Val went a step further with the praise: 'You lived it, superstar status is in your blood; that was the performance of the night.'

Adam called the performance absolutely unbelievable. 'I agree with Valentin, that was the performance of the night.'

Shining stars: The 13-year old did the jive with his partner in gold lame ensembles

High praise: Judges Valentin and Adam both called it the 'performance of the night'

Top of the heap: Mandla  scored a 24, which tied him for the top score of the night

A show of pride: Bristol Palin's son Tripp Johnston did a foxtrot with Hailey Bills

A for effort: The first-time dancer scored a 17 out of 30 but was eliminated at the end of the premiere

Tripp Johnston did a foxtrot with Hailey Bills – scoring a 17 out of 30.

A flashback clip showed him fishing with his grandmother Sarah Palin in Alaska.

‘I want him to have fun and meet new people,’ said his mother Bristol, who gave birth to Tripp when she was just 18-years-old, while her mother was running for vice president.

‘Tripp started out so shy,’ said his mentor Jenna Johnson, who is Hailey’s aunt.

‘You’re a stud out there,’ said Val after the dance.

‘For someone that’s never danced before, when you get back to your trailer you should look in the mirror and tell yourself that you’re a dancer too,’ said Adam.

Beaming with pride: Despite the early exit by Tripp, mom Bristol and grandma Sarah Palin couldn't have been more proud

Bode of confidence: 'For someone that’s never danced before, when you get back to your trailer you should look in the mirror and tell yourself that you’re a dancer too,’ said Adam

Owning it: Raven’s Home actor Jason Maybaum and partner Elliana Walmsley did the cha cha

The night had opened with 10-year-old Raven’s Home actor Jason Maybaum, and his pro Elliana Walmsley, whose resume included an appearance on Dance Moms in 2016.

Under the mentorship of Emma Slater they danced a school-themed cha cha, which scored 18.

‘You were incredible,’ said Mandy.

‘You owned the cha cha like a boss,’ said Val, who also wanted tighter footwork.

Under the mentorship of Emma Slater, Jason and Elliana scored an 18 out of 30

Constructive criticism: ‘You owned the cha cha like a boss,’ said Val, who also wanted tighter footwork

Tasty routine: MasterChef Junior champ Addison Osta Smith did a cha cha with Lev Cameron

Didn't make the cut: Addison scored a 15 and was eliminated at the end the the show

MasterChef Junior champ Addison Osta Smith, 13, did a cha cha with Lev Cameron, after mentorship from Keo Motsepe.

‘I thought in the department of sass you were incredible,’ said Mandy.

Val praised Addison's charisma but suggested that he wanted 'to see more technique' if they made it to week's show. 

Addison scored a 15, and in the end, she and her partner were eliminated by the audience in the ballroom.

Wowing the crowd: Black-ish actor Miles Brown and Rylee Arnold blasted though a salsa dance

Making a statement: The 13-year old was all smiles after scoring a solid 22

Black-ish actor Miles Brown, 13, and Rylee Arnold blasted though a salsa – scoring a 22.

‘He’s really cute,’ cooed Miles’ mentor Lindsay Arnold, who is Rylee’s elder sister.

‘Miles you’re a superstar bro,’ praised Val, who wanted ‘more salsa content.’

‘I’ve done moves like that in the club and it got me kicked out,’ remarked Adam.

Scottie Pippen’s daughter Sophia, 9, and partner Jake Monreal did the jive with the help of mentor Sasha Farber

Doting dad: Chicago Bulls basketball legend Scottie Pippen was a proud papa as he watched his little girl dance alongside wife Larsa Pippen

Retro moves: Sophia scored a 21; ‘My dad’s a champion and I want to be a champion just like him, she said in the lead-up to the competition

Scottie Pippen’s daughter Sophia, a 9-year-old model, revealed that she loves ‘to pose.’

Her partner Jake Monreal and mentor Sasha Farber met Sophia’s NBA legend dad, Scottie Pippen, before they practiced their jive.

‘I’m starstruck,’ said Sasha.

‘My dad’s a champion and I want to be a champion just like him.’ said Sophia, who scored 21.

‘So proud of you. You were so shy but you came out and were so clean, it was awesome,’ Val added.

Lots of attitude: General Hospital star Hudson West, 10, and partner Kameron Couch pulled off the cha cha

High praise: Hudson and his team scored at solid 22; ‘I can’t wait to see where this partnership goes,’ Adam told the Emmy-nominated actor

General Hospital star Hudson West, 10, and Kameron Couch scored 22 for their cha cha.

‘I can’t wait to see where this partnership goes,’ Adam told the Emmy-nominated actor.

‘You had one little moment when your timing was a little funky,’ said Mandy.

You're a leading man, you did a great job presenting your lady,' Val gushed. 

Confident pose: Ariana Greenblatt, of Avengers: Infinity War, danced a cha cha in a bright yellow ensemble with Artyon Celestine 

Follow the leaders: With the help of mentor Brandon Armstrong, Ariana tied for the top score with a 24

10-year-old actress Ariana Greenblatt, of Avengers: Infinity War, danced a cha cha  in a bright yellow ensemble with Artyon Celestine.

Artyon, 11, was a little starstruck by his partner, giggling: ‘She’s nice… pretty!’

They scored 24, after coaching from Brandon Armstrong.

‘You my dear are a little ray of sunshine,’ said Mandy.

Val added: 'You killed it... but I'd like you work a little more together as partners.' 

Bustin' a move: Pop singer Mackenzie Ziegler, 14, did the foxtrot with Sage Rosen

Taking pride: Mackenzie scored a 22 to the delight of mentor Gleb Savchenko

Pop singer Mackenzie Ziegler, 14, scored 22 for her foxtrot with Sage Rosen.

‘I’ve never done ballroom before, Mackenzie nervously confessed. 'This is a whole new challenge and I hope I'm ready for it.' 

Val thought the routine ‘drifted from the foxtrot’ but overall he said it was ‘an incredible performance.'

From the classrom to the ballroom: Spelling Bee star Akash Vukoti, 9, did the tango with partner Kamri Peterson in an all white ensemble

Beaming: Akash showed his exuberant personality and earned a 21 

Spelling Bee star Akash Vukoti, 9, wanted to show the world he can ‘excel in non academic areas, and in the process showed his infectious and exuberant personality.

His tango with Kamri Peterson earned 21.

‘That made me emotional, I almost started crying,’ said Val.

‘You are so cute and you are so charming... you performed from the heart,’ cooed Adam.

Chemistry: Pro skateboarder Sky Brown, 10, and JT Church did an energetic salsa

Excuse the pun: Val got cute by telling Sky: 'Sky's the limit, you have a lot of maturity for a 10-year old.'

Pro skateboarder Sky Brown, 10, and JT Church did an energetic salsa which scored 22.

‘It’s so fun to watch them dance, they’re just looking at each other and smiling,’ said their mentor Alan Bersten.

‘I can tell that you are a fierce competitor,’ grinned Adam.

Val got cute by gushing to Sky: 'Sky's the limit, you have a lot of maturity for a 10-year old.'

The show was hosted by singer, and DWTS season 25 winner, Jordan Fisher and Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz, who also competed in season 25 of the flagship show.

Dancing With The Stars: Juniors continues next Sunday on ABC.

Hosts with the most: The show was hosted by singer, and DWTS season 25 winner, Jordan Fisher and Malcolm in the Middle star Frankie Muniz, who also competed in season 25 of DWTS

The experts: 10 dance partners and their mentors move on in the competition

To be continued: Episode two of Dancing With The Stars: Juniors is next Sunday on ABC