Derek Hough Accidentally Calls Tyler Cameron 'Dylan' on DWTS Season 35 Premiere, Sparking Fan Confusion
Published · Updated
Cited: People.com, Yahoo, Page Six
TL;DR
The season 35 premiere of *Dancing with the Stars* delivered drama both on and off the dance floor. Judge Derek Hough caused a stir when he accidentally referred to contestant Tyler Cameron as 'Dylan' during live critiques, sending fans into a frenzy on social media. The slip-up, which aired on September 15, 2026, quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
Why now
The season 35 premiere of *Dancing with the Stars* delivered drama both on and off the dance floor. Judge Derek Hough caused a stir when he accidentally referred to contestant Tyler Cameron as 'Dylan' during live critiques, sending fans into a frenzy on social media. The slip-up, which aired on September 15, 2026, quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night.
Agree / conflict
Derek Hough mistakenly called Tyler Cameron 'Dylan' while giving feedback on his tango with pro Sharna Burgess.,Fans immediately took to social media to express confusion and amusement, with many theorizing Hough confused Cameron with season 34 finalist Dylan Efron.,The premiere featured eight male celebrities dancing to No. 1 songs from their birth years; Conner Leavitt was the first eliminated.,Tyler Cameron scored 17 out of 30 for his tango to Lenny Kravitz's 'Are You Gonna Go My Way.',The second night of the premiere, featuring female celebrities, airs on September 16, 2026.
Takeaway
Watch the full season: New episodes of *DWTS* season 35 air Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.,Follow the drama: The name mix-up adds to the season's buzz—keep an eye on social media for more viral moments.,Learn from the judges: Hough's critique, despite the name error, highlighted the importance of combining presence with technique—a tip for aspiring dancers.,Who this affects: Fans of reality TV, *Bachelor Nation*, and *DWTS* will enjoy the ongoing competition and behind-the-scenes moments.
Derek Hough mistakenly called Tyler Cameron 'Dylan' while giving feedback on his tango with pro Sharna Burgess.,Fans immediately took to social media to express confusion and amusement, with many theorizing Hough confused Cameron with season 34 finalist Dylan Efron.,The premiere featured eight male celebrities dancing to No. 1 songs from their birth years; Conner Leavitt was the first eliminated.,Tyler Cameron scored 17 out of 30 for his tango to Lenny Kravitz's 'Are You Gonna Go My Way.',The second night of the premiere, featuring female celebrities, airs on September 16, 2026.
The name mix-up occurred during the first night of *DWTS* season 35, which aired on ABC and Disney+. While judging Tyler Cameron's performance, Hough said, 'Dylan, you have this, like, Patrick Swayze aura about you.' Viewers quickly noticed the error and flooded platforms like X (formerly Twitter) with reactions. Some fans found it hilarious, while others were genuinely confused. A common theory was that Hough had mixed up Cameron with Dylan Efron, who competed in season 34 and became a fan favorite. Efron finished fourth last season with pro Daniella Karagach.
This is not the first time a *DWTS* judge has made a live TV blunder, but the internet's reaction was swift and playful. One fan wrote, 'Did Derek call Tyler Dylan?! 🤣,' while another joked, 'Considering neither of them could keep their butts tucked in when they started dancing in hold, I don't ENTIRELY blame him.' Hough has not publicly addressed the slip-up as of this writing.
Beyond the name mix-up, the premiere set the stage for an exciting season. Harry Shum Jr. led the leaderboard with 21 points, while Paralympian Ezra Frech impressed with 20. Conner Leavitt, husband of season 34 star Whitney Leavitt, was eliminated after scoring only 12 points for his salsa. The second night will feature eight female celebrities, including Julia Stiles, Jenna Dewan, and Giada De Laurentiis, all dancing to chart-toppers from their birth years.
Do you think Derek Hough's slip-up was just a funny mistake, or does it hint at something more? Share your thoughts in the comments below! And if you enjoyed this recap, share it with fellow *DWTS* fans who need to stay ahead of the drama. [Share on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Derek+Hough+calls+Tyler+Cameron+%27Dylan%27+on+DWTS+premiere&url=https://yanuki.com/entertainment/tv/derek-hough-dwts-name-mixup-tyler-cameron-dylan?ref=yanuki.com&target=_blank) | [Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://yanuki.com/entertainment/tv/derek-hough-dwts-name-mixup-tyler-cameron-dylan?ref=yanuki.com&target=_blank) | [Share on Reddit](https://reddit.com/submit?url=https://yanuki.com/entertainment/tv/derek-hough-dwts-name-mixup-tyler-cameron-dylan?ref=yanuki.com&target=_blank)
Sources: - [People.com: Dancing with the Stars’ Tyler Cameron Takes PEOPLE Inside the Ballroom on Premiere Night (Exclusive)](https://people.com/dancing-with-the-stars-tyler-cameron-premiere-night-photo-diary-exclusive-12124500?ref=yanuki.com&target=_blank) - [Yahoo Entertainment: Derek Hough leaves DWTS fans 'so confused' with premiere slip-up](https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/tv/articles/derek-hough-leaves-dwts-fans-170219038.html?ref=yanuki.com&target=_blank) - [Page Six: ‘DWTS’ fans troll Derek Hough after misidentifying Tyler Cameron as ‘Dylan’](https://pagesix.com/2026/09/15/entertainment/fans-troll-derek-hough-after-misidentifying-tyler-cameron-as-dylan/?ref=yanuki.com&target=_blank)
FAQ
Who is Dylan Efron?
Dylan Efron is an actor and the brother of Zac Efron. He competed on *Dancing with the Stars* season 34, finishing in fourth place with pro Daniella Karagach. Fans believe Derek Hough confused Tyler Cameron with Dylan due to their similar builds and dance styles.
What was Tyler Cameron's score?
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess received a score of 17 out of 30 for their tango to 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' by Lenny Kravitz.
Who was eliminated on the first night?
Conner Leavitt, star of *Secret Lives of Mormon Wives*, was eliminated after scoring 12 out of 30 for his salsa with pro Adele Zaikman.
When does the second night of the premiere air?
The second night, featuring female celebrities, airs on September 16, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, streaming on Hulu the next day.
How did fans react to the name mix-up?
Fans reacted with a mix of confusion and humor, posting memes and comments on social media. Many theorized Hough confused Cameron with Dylan Efron from the previous season.
Sources
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