Full Breakdown
Shocking Elimination Marks Semi-Finals of Dancing With the Stars Season 34
11/19/2025, 8:47:47 AM
Overview of the Semi-Finals
The semi-finals of Season 34 of *Dancing With the Stars* took place on November 18, 2025, featuring a tribute to the late music icon Prince. Six couples performed two routines each: one in a style they had previously learned and another in a new style, all set to Prince's iconic songs. The competition concluded with a surprising elimination, sending one of the season's strongest dancers home.
Performance Highlights
The night began with Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten performing a foxtrot to "I Wanna Be Your Lover," scoring 27 out of 30. Judges praised Hendrix's elegance but urged her to show more intensity in her second dance. She responded with a powerful paso doble to "When Doves Cry," earning her first perfect score of the season, 30 out of 30.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy followed with an Argentine tango to "Little Red Corvette," scoring 28 out of 30. Earle's emotional growth was noted by the judges, who encouraged her to push harder in her next performance. She later performed a Viennese waltz to "Purple Rain," achieving a perfect score of 30.
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas danced a cha-cha to "1999," receiving 29 out of 30. Despite mixed feedback from the judges regarding her focus on technique, Leavitt's second dance, a Viennese waltz to "Slow Love," also scored 29.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach performed a tango to "I Would Die 4 U," scoring 27 out of 30, and a cha-cha to "Kiss," which earned 28. Judges acknowledged Efron's improvement but noted areas for further development.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa showcased a jive to "Raspberry Beret," scoring 27 out of 30, followed by an Argentine tango to "U Got the Look," where Chiles finally achieved her first perfect score of 30.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson closed the first round with a jive to "Baby I’m a Star," earning a perfect score of 30, and a Viennese waltz to "WOW," scoring 29.
Elimination Outcome
Despite scoring 58 points, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas were eliminated at the end of the night, a decision that shocked many viewers and judges alike. Leavitt expressed her gratitude for the experience, stating, “I already feel like a winner. This show has meant the absolute world for me.”
The remaining couples advancing to the finale include Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten, and Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach.
What's Next
The finale of *Dancing With the Stars* Season 34 is set for November 25, 2025. The five remaining couples will compete in three rounds, including judges' choice, instant dance, and freestyle, all vying for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The semi-finals have set the stage for an exciting conclusion to a highly competitive season.
