Hold on tight, because in the world of 'Dancing With The Stars,' even a stellar performance can't guarantee safety! Week 10 delivered a shocking elimination that proves anything can happen right before the finals.
SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Tuesday night's episode of ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars,' turn back now! We're about to dive into all the details, including the couple who sadly had to say goodbye.
It was semi-finals night on Season 34 of 'Dancing With The Stars,' and the remaining six incredibly talented couples were ready to pay tribute to the one and only Prince, the High Priest of Pop. Get ready for a double dose of dance, because each couple had to perform two routines: a 'repeat' of a style they'd already tackled this season, and a brand-new dance style to challenge them even further. So, how did everyone fare under the purple spotlight? Let's break it down.
First up, the REPEAT DANCES:
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten: This Parent Trap star was understandably thrilled to have made it to the semi-finals, especially considering the challenges she's faced throughout the season. Her goal? To finally snag that elusive perfect 10. She and Bersten kicked off the night with a Foxtrot to "I Wanna Be Your Lover," and she practically leaped for joy after nailing the routine. Judge Derek Hough praised the performance as "beautiful, truly an incredible foxtrot." But here's the catch: the judges wanted to see even more passion and fight in her next performance. SCORE: 27 out of 30
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: This social media sensation revisited her Argentine Tango, this time set to "Little Red Corvette." Fresh off a perfect score last week, and following some incredible Argentine Tangos during the 20th anniversary show, the pressure was definitely on! Earle expressed her admiration for Prince's authenticity and aimed to channel that spirit into her performance. Bruno Tonioli declared her "the most improved" dancer, but while the judges were generally impressed, they also pointed out areas for improvement. SCORE: 28 out of 30
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star got another shot at the Cha Cha, dancing to "1999." Her previous Cha Cha, during One-Hit Wonder Night to "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry, left room for improvement, so this was her chance to shine. She and Ballas were riding high after a perfect score last week, hoping to keep their momentum going. The judges were divided. Carrie Ann Inaba acknowledged a "wonderful dance" but noted that Leavitt seemed too focused on technique at times. Derek Hough vehemently disagreed, exclaiming, "Carrie Ann, you are out of your mind! That was awesome!" But here's where it gets controversial... was Carrie Ann being too harsh, or did Derek's enthusiasm cloud his judgment? SCORE: 29 out of 30
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: According to Derek Hough, Efron had his "breakthrough moment" with his Argentine Tango last week and even won the relay round. Determined to maintain his momentum, he revisited the Tango, this time dancing to "I Would Die 4 U." Karagach focused on correcting one of the judges' biggest critiques: Efron's tendency to stick his butt out! Inaba pointed out a few mistakes, and Derek emphasized the importance of heel leads in the Tango. Overall, the judges agreed with Tonioli, who noted Efron's significant improvement. SCORE: 27 out of 30
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: This Olympic gold medalist was still striving for a perfect score for an individual dance, and she brought all her energy to her second Jive of the season, performing to Prince's hit "Raspberry Beret." And it paid off! "For me, this was the best performance so far tonight," Inaba declared. However, both Inaba and Tonioli pointed out a timing mistake that prevented them from awarding a perfect 10. SCORE: 27 out of 30
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: This wildlife conservationist and his partner earned the very first perfect score of the season last week (followed by three more couples later on), so their Jive to "Baby I'm a Star" came with high expectations. Carson aimed to showcase Irwin's growth throughout the season, pulling out all the stops with her choreography. And it worked! For the first time that night, the judges were completely blown away. "Superstar jive!" Tonioli exclaimed. Inaba added, "That is how you tell everyone you want to be in the finale!" SCORE: 30 out of 30
Next, the NEW DANCES:
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten: The night flew by, and soon it was time for Hendrix to give one last performance in hopes of securing a spot in the finals. She and Bersten danced a Paso Doble to "When Doves Cry," aiming to bring emotion and intensity to the ballroom. And they succeeded! Inaba was on her feet the moment they finished, rushing over to hug Hendrix and practically bowing before her. "That was amazing!!!" she gushed. SCORE: 30 out of 30 (her first perfect score!)
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: Earle expressed that she's become more emotionally aware throughout her DWTS journey, so she aimed to bring that vulnerability to her Viennese Waltz, set to "Purple Rain." She admitted to feeling the pressure but wasn't afraid to push herself, even if it meant risking failure. Based on the judges' comments, she rose to the occasion. "I have no doubts that we are going to see you in those finals," Derek told her. SCORE: 30 out of 30
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: The Cha Cha to "Kiss" was the last dance standing between Efron and the finals. No one was more impressed by his improvement than himself! Karagach praised his dedication and focus, stating that he already possessed the qualities of a champion. She aimed to boost his confidence and get those hips moving, an area where he struggled in previous Latin dances. And it worked! Derek's reaction said it all. "The details, man," he exclaimed. "It was so, so impressive, man! You should be so proud!" SCORE: 28 out of 30
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas: Their second dance, a Viennese Waltz to "Slow Love," was their ticket to the finale, they hoped. In her intro package, Leavitt became emotional, sharing how the experience had reintroduced her to herself and reignited her passions. With so much riding on the dance, she aimed for perfection. Inaba called it her "absolute favorite" of all Leavitt's performances this season, and Tonioli declared it "impeccable!" SCORE: 29 out of 30
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: This gymnast expressed pride in showcasing her love of dance to the world and pushing herself throughout the competition. They performed an Argentine Tango to "U Got the Look," which Chiles called "one of the harder dances" she's had to learn, especially because her gymnast's tendency to tighten her quads kept causing her to kick her partner! Fortunately, she avoided any kicks during the performance, and the judges showered her with praise. "That was a top performance," Derek said. SCORE: 30 out of 30
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: A Viennese Waltz to "WOW" could very well secure Irwin's place in the finale (though, after the only perfect score in the first round, it seemed almost guaranteed). He was ready to ramp things up with this second routine. The 21-year-old admitted that the hardest part of the dance was conveying passion and chemistry with Carson, which he found a bit "weird" given their friendly and goofy dynamic. But he found the intensity within himself and left it all on the dance floor. "That was so thrilling, I want to see the sequel. I didn't want it to stop!" Tonioli declared. SCORE: 29 out of 30
So, after all that, it came time to find out who wouldn't be making it to the finals. Based on the judges' scores, Irwin and Carson topped the leaderboard for the night, while Efron and Karagach landed at the bottom.
But here's the part most people miss... the judges' scores aren't the only factor. Fan votes play a huge role, which can completely change the outcome!
And the couple leaving the competition just shy of the finals was...dun dun dun...sadly and shockingly, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas.
Did you think this was the right decision? Or were you just as shocked as everyone else?
Tune in next week for the finals!
