VIDEO: Valerie Harper Wows the Crowd, Judges on DWTS Premiere

Last spring, Valerie Harper announced that she had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and had no more than three months to live. Miraculously, the brave and inspirational actress defied the odds and performed a stunning foxtrot with her Dancing With the Stars partner Tristan MacManus on last night's season premiere.

After a well-deserved, seeminly unending standing ovation, the judges praised the actress for her courage and grace. Len noted her "ease and elegance" while a tearful Carrie Ann said the actress was "setting an amazing example... Yes, you have to work on your spots, but you brought me to tears with your courage." Despite pointing out some minor issues regarding her shoulder placement, Bruno declared her "radiant." Check out the performance below!

For a full recap of the night's performances click here!

"Dancing with the Stars" is back with an all-new cast and fresh show format. The competition will shake things up this season by transitioning to a one night, two-hour format. The premiere episode will kick off with a spectacular opening number featuring the entire cast. Each couple will then perform a Cha Cha, Foxtrot or Contemporary routine, vying for America's vote for the first time. Beginning with the second episode on Monday, September 23, one couple will be eliminated at the end of the show by combining the judges' scores from the first two weeks with the public votes from the previous week.

Hosted by Emmy Award-winning host Tom Bergeron ("America's Funniest Home Videos") and Brooke Burke-Charvet ("Dancing with the Stars" Season 7 Champion), "Dancing with the Stars" is the hit series in which celebrities perform choreographed dance routines which are judged by renowned ballroom judge Len Goodman and dancer/choreographers Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.