Full Breakdown
Dancing with the Stars: Dedication Night Highlights Emotional Tributes
10/10/2025, 3:57:09 PM
Overview of Dedication Night
"Dancing with the Stars" Season 34 will feature a special "Dedication Night" on October 14, 2025, where the ten remaining couples will perform routines honoring influential figures in their lives. This episode will air live from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. EDT/PDT on ABC and Disney+, with subsequent streaming available on Hulu. For the first time, family and friends of the contestants will join them on the ballroom floor during their performances.
Featured Performances and Dedications
Each couple will showcase a unique dance style paired with a song dedicated to someone special. Notable performances include:
- Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik: Viennese Waltz to “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle, dedicated to her mother, Maria.
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: Viennese Waltz to “Daughters” by John Mayer, dedicated to her father, Timothy.
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: Contemporary to “Sparks” by Coldplay, dedicated to her younger sister, Izabel.
- Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: Contemporary to “Rewrite the Stars” by Zac Efron & Zendaya, dedicated to his little sister, Olivia.
- Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov: Jive to “Boy Meets World” by Twenty Cent Crush, dedicated to her co-star William Daniels (Mr. Feeny).
- Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten: Foxtrot to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole, dedicated to her best friend, Lisa Ann Walter.
- Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold: Foxtrot to “Parallel” by Scott Hoying, dedicated to his husband, Mark.
- Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: Contemporary to “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins, dedicated to his mother, Terri Irwin.
- Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas: Contemporary to “Heal” by Jamal Roberts, dedicated to her husband, Connor.
- Andy Richter and Emma Slater: Salsa to “Jump In the Line” by Harry Belafonte, dedicated to his daughter, Cornelia.
Special Guests and Emotional Connections
The episode will also feature guest judge Kym Johnson, who returns to provide her insights. Elaine Hendrix expressed her excitement about having Lisa Ann Walter join her for the performance, emphasizing their long-standing friendship since their time on "The Parent Trap." Fishel's tribute to William Daniels highlights the significant impact he has had on her life and career, stating, “To be able to say thank you to him and give him this kind of platform for him to receive the love that he deserves is going to be very memorable.”
Official Statements & Responses
ABC has confirmed that viewers can expect a night filled with nostalgia and heartfelt performances. The network encourages fans to participate in live voting during the broadcast, which will influence the elimination process alongside judges' scores.
What's Next
Following Dedication Night, viewers can anticipate further developments in the competition as the season progresses. The emotional tributes are expected to resonate with audiences, potentially influencing viewer engagement and participation in upcoming episodes.
Verbatim Quotes
- “A big thing is my best friend Lisa Ann Walter is going to be joining us,” — Elaine Hendrix
- “To see him at 98 still going to conventions — he’s gonna be on the ballroom floor next week — it’s amazing.” — Danielle Fishel
- “This will be a special dance especially for the millennials ??.” — Social media user comment
"Dancing with the Stars" continues to blend entertainment with emotional storytelling, making each episode a unique experience for both contestants and viewers alike.
