Caution: This article may contain spoilers as of Tuesday, November 11!
The long-awaited premiere of Dancing With the Stars aired on September 16, 2025, welcoming fourteen brand new celebrity dancers to the ballroom. These celebrities included Baron Davis, Jennifer (Jen) Affleck, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron, Corey Feldman, Elaine Hendrix, Robert Irwin, Jordan Chiles, Scott Hoying, Whitney Leavitt, Hilaria Baldwin, Andy Richter, Danielle Fishel, and Lauren Jauregui. No contestants were eliminated from the premiere, giving each celebrity a chance to get better before the first elimination round. Each pair moved on to the next round with the knowledge that there would be a double elimination the following week.
The theme for week two was One-Hit Wonders Night. Each dancer was given a song from an artist known for one unforgettable hit. Each pair performed either a jive, quickstep, cha-cha, tango, or samba, styles chosen by producers. The highest score of the night was a 22/30 earned by pairs Robert and Witney, Jordan and Ezra, Jen and Jan, and Mark and Whitney. Corey and Jenna rounded out the group at the very bottom with 15/30 points. In true Dancing With The Stars fashion, they ended the night with a double elimination where Corey and Jenna and Baron and Britt went home (ABC.com DWTS, 2025).
Week three was TikTok Night, where couples performed dances to the top songs of TikTok. Season 31 winner (and TikTok influencer) Charli D’amelio joined her former partner Mark Ballas for a few special dancing cameos between the actual dances. Each couple performed well, some better than others; the highest scores of the week were Jordan and Ezra, and Whitney and Mark, with 24/30 points. Lauren and Brandon and Andy, and Emma earned the lowest scores with 18/30. Lauren and Brandon ended up getting the short end of the stick, and fans were shocked. While Andy’s dancing skills were extremely subpar, viewer votes pulled him through (ABC.com DWTS, 2025).
In week four, the couples were back for Disney Night, dancing to popular Disney songs. Whitney and Mark received the first 9 of the season, leaving their overall score as a 25/30, the highest score of the night. Once again, receiving the lowest scores of the night were Andy and Emma with 18/30 points. Andy’s fans, also known as “Fandy’s,” pulled him through to the next round. Of course, Disney Night was not complete without an elimination. Hilaria and Gleb were sent home; their viewer votes and judges’ scores combined were not enough.
Week five was Dedication Night, a personal favorite of mine. Stars were able to choose someone to dedicate their dance to and even had the opportunity to be joined in their dance by the dedicatee. Dedication Night is always a tearjerker and one that will pull on your heartstrings. The judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough, were joined by former Dancing With the Stars pro, Kym Johnson. Kym was a valuable asset to the judges’ table, giving many beneficial critiques to the dancers. Once again, the lowest score was Andy and Emma with 24/40 points. Andy was joined by his daughter, Cornelia, who was absolutely adorable. The highest score of the night was for the first time, Dylan and Daniella with 36/40 points. Dylan was joined by his younger sister, Olivia, and they danced to “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman, a tribute to their brother, Zac Efron. Thankfully, none of the couples were eliminated during dedication night, and everyone moved on to the next week.
Week six brought Wicked Night, a theme highly anticipated by viewers. The couples danced to the iconic soundtrack of Wicked in honor of the new movie. The judges were joined by yet another guest, the director of Wicked himself, Jon M. Chu. Each couple performed well, but some standout performances were Whitney and Mark, and Jordan and Ezra, both earning 39/40 points, only one point off from a perfect score. Andy and Emma were once again at the bottom of the leaderboard, but were not eliminated. Fans were sure Andy was going home this time, so it came as a shock to all when Scott and Rylee were sent home.
Week seven brought many scares and creepy dances with Halloween Night. Former pro dancer, Cheryl Burke, joined the judges’ table for the Halloween extravaganza. There was an additional competition at the end of the initial dances called the “Monsterthon,” where each couple simultaneously had to dance nonstop for four minutes. The judges eliminated the couples until only two were left standing: Alix and Val, and Whitney and Mark. The judges declared Whitney and Mark the winners, and they were awarded five additional points to add to their score. Alix and Val still managed to get 39/40 points plus an additional four points from the Monsterthon dance off and came out on top. Emma and Andy remained at the bottom of the leaderboard, but at the expense of another dancer. A scary end to their Halloween Night, Jen and Jan were sent home.
Week eight was themed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night, where the eight remaining couples danced to classic rock hits. The judges were joined by rapper Flavor Flav, who has no dance experience whatsoever, but definitely brought the party and good vibes. Once again, Andy and Emma were dead last, earning 30/40 points. Whitney and Mark and Alix, and Val each earned a 39/40, the highest scores of the night. Danielle and Pasha were eliminated, leaving viewers outraged and wondering what Andy was still doing on the dance floor.
In week nine, Dancing With the Stars celebrated its twentieth anniversary, so each couple recreated an iconic dance from seasons prior. Tom Bergeron, a former DWTS host, joined the judges’ table. The highest scores were a three-way tie between Robert and Witney, Dylan and Daniella, and Mark and Whitney. To nobody’s surprise, Andy had the lowest score, but his “Fandy’s” were no longer able to protect him, and he was finally sent home.
The six remaining couples are Dylan and Daniella, Elaine and Alan, Robert and Witney, Jordan and Ezra, Alix and Val, and Whitney and Mark. Unfortunately, only five couples will be able to dance in the finals, meaning one of the beloved pairs will be going home this week. Senior, Lexi Alford shares her opinion on the remaining couples, “It is kind of difficult to pick one favorite because I LOVE Dylan, Alix, and Robert. So when it comes down to it, I would be happy if any of them won!” Sophomore Madelyn Hillis shares the same sentiments for Dylan, Alix, and Robert. When asked her thoughts on this week’s elimination, Madelyn stated, “I honestly think Elaine or Jordan will be going home this week. Most of their dances just have not had the ‘wow factor’ like the others have.” Lexi agreed with this statement, sharing that Elaine is most likely to be leaving the dance floor this week.
The semi-finals will air on November 18, 2025, at 8 p.m., and it seems to be anyone’s game, so make sure to vote! Who will be eliminated and who will win the mirrorball trophy?
