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ABC’s beloved dance competition, Dancing with the Stars, has set a new benchmark this year, revealing for the first time the jaw-dropping number of votes cast by fans. The September 24 episode not only saw the exit of Anna Delvey, the scandal-ridden "fashionista," and Tori Spelling of Beverly Hills, 90210 fame but also garnered an unprecedented 14 million fan votes, the highest ever for a single episode in the show's history.

To put this into perspective, more votes were cast during this episode than when NFL star Hines Ward and Kym Johnson captivated viewers back in Season 12, a time when the show attracted over 22 million viewers. Voting is more accessible than ever, with fans able to cast their ballots via text and online at dwtsvote.abc.com, with the option to submit up to 10 votes per couple.

Executive Producer Conrad Green attributes this surge in engagement to several factors. “The record number of votes that week suggests to me that a lot of our audience are very passionate about a lot of our stars this year,” Green told Deadline. The excitement is further mirrored in the increased ratings, noting a significant 47% increase in total viewership and a remarkable 79% jump in the 18-49 adult demographic for the Season 33 premiere across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, and other platforms.

After running just two episodes this season, Dancing with the Stars is already surpassing last year's performance metrics. The show has an average rating of 0.81 in the coveted 18-49 age bracket, reflecting a 17% increase from the previous season’s 0.70 rating.

This season's diverse lineup appears to be a major draw. Among the notable stars are Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and Olympic pommel horse medalist Stephen Nedoroscik, bringing their competitive spirit and fan followings to the dance floor. NBA champion Dwight Howard and Phaedra Parks from The Real Housewives of Atlanta add to the eclectic mix that seems to captivate audiences.

Green also emphasizes the show's positive vibes amid prevailing global challenges. "Dancing with the Stars offers escapism and a sense of community, reminding us of what we have in common as Americans," he said. The show, having been on the air for so long, now enjoys a multi-generational audience, bolstered by a strong presence on social platforms like TikTok, introducing it to new viewers.

This season, Dancing with the Stars not only dances to the beat of its own drum but also hits a high note of viewer engagement and public enthusiasm like never before.