Conner Leavitt didn't even make it to week two. The husband of "Secret Lives of Mormon Wives" star Whitney Leavitt became the first celebrity sent home from "Dancing With the Stars" season 35, eliminated on the show's premiere night Tuesday.

He and pro partner Adele Zaikman scored a 12 out of 30 for their salsa to Tag Team's "Whoomp! There It Is," judged by Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli. Only comedian Guillermo Rodriguez scored lower, a 10, but the studio vote kept Rodriguez around and sent Conner packing instead. That's the cruelty of the format. Score low enough and the phones still might save you.

Whitney was in the crowd cheering him on all night. By Wednesday she'd moved to Instagram with a lengthy tribute, three mirror selfies included, Conner clutching a bouquet nearly as tall as he is.

"I hope you never let this ending take away from what you just did," she wrote, adding that he'd stepped so far outside his comfort zone and that "people can have their opinions, but I know you." She told him to keep saying yes, keep putting himself out there, and closed with, "This is just the beginning, babe."

Her "Mormon Wives" co-stars piled into the comments. Jessi Draper wrote she's "so proud of him." Layla Taylor called him a "mirrorball winner" in her eyes. Mikayla Matthews and Mayci Neeley chimed in with support of their own, and Demi Engemann said she wished "the world got to see more of him."

There's history behind the encouragement. Whitney herself competed on DWTS last season, partnered with Mark Ballas, and made it to sixth place before an emotional exit at the November semifinals. That didn't slow her down much. She landed the lead role of Roxie Hart in Broadway's "Chicago" soon after, wrapped that run in May, and is set to return to Broadway later this year as Sandra Dee in "Just in Time."

Conner's own DWTS run lasted exactly one night. News of his casting alongside Zaikman had only broken earlier this month, so the turnaround from announcement to elimination was quick even by reality TV standards.

Whitney says this is just the beginning for her husband. Whether that means another audition, another reality gig, or just a quiet return to normal life, she hasn't said. Season 35 rolls on without him next week.