Hilaria Baldwin explains Alec Baldwin's absence from Dancing with the Stars after steamy first week

Hilaria Baldwin says Alec Baldwin will be absent from Week 2 of Dancing with the Stars, even as she and partner Gleb Savchenko delivered a widely watched steamy debut on the season 34 premiere. In an interview with Fox News Digital, she attributed his absence to a busy filming and travel schedule, not to a lack of support or interest in the show.

"So, Alec is doing a movie right now. He's doing a movie, he's doing a show, he's been traveling so much. He'll be here next week, but we're juggling," she told Fox News Digital. "We had a certain plan to be in New York right now and then all of a sudden the universe opened and I was offered this incredible experience. And so I packed up all the kids and in a day I signed the contract to do ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in between landing and getting our luggage. This has been a really wild whirlwind that I'm so grateful for, and it's imposed some shifting."

While Alec cannot attend every show, the couple’s seven children have been in the audience to cheer on their mother. Hilaria added that Alec is juggling his own work schedule and travels, but will attend whenever possible, with the kids in attendance as a show of support.

"So it means that we're not always going to be together because he had committed to some jobs. But he'll come as much as he can and my kids are here to represent and cheer from the crowd," she said.

The week-two absence follows a well-choreographed start for Hilaria and Savchenko, whose Week 1 performance drew attention for its close, intimate moment. Viewers noted Alec’s reaction from the audience, with some fans posting that his expression suggested reluctance or discomfort, while others praised the couple’s chemistry and support system.

Alec Baldwin's reaction to the steamy first-week dance became a talking point on social media, with commenters noting his poker-face as the camera panned to him during the moment. Observers pointed out that the reaction has become part of the DWTS arc for the season, illustrating the balancing act of a prominent actor supporting a partner who is stepping into a high-pressure spotlight.

Hilaria described the experience as empowering and meaningful, emphasizing the importance of family support. She recalled how the moment reinforced the team dynamic she has with her husband, as well as the broader network around them that keeps the show going. "I mean, I can't do it without all of the support that I have, not just from him but from my entire family and from my friends and from Gleb. I mean the person who is spending the most time with me ever and being patient with me and teaching with me. And so I'm, you know, very grateful of him so much. He supports me a lot and I've supported him through a lot. It's a really cool experience to be the one here on the dance floor and people cheering for us," she said.

When Hilaria was paired with Savchenko, she told him immediately not to take it easy on her. "One of the first things I said to him is, you can't offend me. I've been through enough, you can't offend me. And I know that when he pushes me, and he pushes hard, it's with so much love, and he knows that balance. And so every single time he's like, do it better, do it, do better, I take it. Okay. It gives me drive to do it. But then at the same time, when he said to me, 'I'm proud of you, you did a good job,' I believe him. So he's really the best teacher, the best coach, the best partner, and we've become very close friends over very few weeks. So I'm very grateful for this whole experience," she said.

As season 34 unfolds, Alec Baldwin may remain a part-time presence, stepping in when his schedule allows. Hilaria stressed that the show’s experience is built on a family-and-friends-centric support network, and that the couple’s public partnership continues to grow in tandem with their private commitments to balancing work and family. The couple have consistently highlighted the importance of their children's involvement and their belief in supporting one another through demanding projects.