The Dancing With the Stars Season 34 semifinals delivered drama, tears, and the first perfect score of the season — all in front of a live audience at the ABC Television Center in Burbank, California. On Tuesday, November 21, 2025, six celebrity-pro pairs battled for five spots in the finals — and for the first time in three seasons, someone got cut. Dancing With the Stars didn’t just raise the stakes; it shattered expectations.
Perfect Scores and Emotional Highs
It was Robert Irwin, the 27-year-old Australian wildlife conservationist and son of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, who stunned everyone with the season’s first flawless performance. Partnered with Witney Carson, Irwin earned 10s across the board from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. The dance — emotional, precise, and deeply personal — left the crowd silent before erupting. No one knew the style or song, but everyone felt the weight of it. This wasn’t just a win; it was a tribute.
Then came Elaine Hendrix, the Parent Trap star, who turned heads with a Paso Doble to Prince’s "When Doves Cry." After her final pose, Inaba literally rose from her seat, crossed the stage, and hugged Hendrix — then bowed. "That was amazing," she said. Hough called it a "classic Paso Doble," while Tonioli added, "You didn’t just dance — you commanded the room." A perfect 30/30. No surprise. But the reaction? Unforgettable.
Meanwhile, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa delivered a razor-sharp Argentine Tango to "U Got the Look," earning another 30/30. Hough told her: "I know being on top matters. That was a TOP performance." Chiles’ combination of athleticism and grace made her a frontrunner — and her 57/60 total tied Hendrix for second place.
And then there was Alix Earle, the social media influencer with 4.5 million Instagram followers. Her Viennese waltz to an unknown ballad was pure poetry. A slow split. A backbend that seemed to defy gravity. The judges gave her 10s again — her second perfect score of the night. Her total: 58/60. The highest of the night. And yes, it might’ve been the most breathtaking dance of the season.
Who Got Left Behind
But not everyone got to dance into the finals. The elimination came down to Whitney Leavitt, the TikTok star with 2.3 million followers, and her partner, Mark Ballas — a seven-time champion on the show and fan favorite. Despite Ballas’ experience and Leavitt’s charm, their combined scores and viewer votes fell short. TVLine confirmed: "That left Chiles and Leavitt in the end, although not necessarily the bottom two. The couple with the lowest scores and votes combined was: Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas."
It was a gut punch. Ballas, who’s been on the show since Season 6, had never been eliminated before the finals. Leavitt, despite her youth and social media fame, had shown real growth. Their final dance — a jive to "I Want You Back" — was energetic but lacked the emotional depth the judges craved. The crowd gasped when their names were called. No one expected this.
This marks the first semifinal elimination since Season 31. For two straight seasons, the producers had stunned viewers by sending everyone to the finals. This year? No mercy. The stakes were real. And the audience felt it.
The Road to the Finals
Now, five couples remain:
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy — 58/60
- Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten — 57/60
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa — 57/60
- Robert Irwin and Witney Carson — perfect score in at least one routine (total undisclosed)
- Dylan Van Iwaarden and Daniella Karagach — scores not released, but advanced
Scott Van Pelt and Rylee Arnold, who had been eliminated in the quarterfinals on November 14, are out — as was Jan Ravnik on October 28 and Rylee Arnold herself back on October 21. The competition has thinned dramatically. What’s left? Pure talent, raw emotion, and a final showdown for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
What’s Next — And Why It Matters
The Dancing With the Stars Season 34 finals air Tuesday, November 28, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern on ABC. This isn’t just about who dances best. It’s about who connects. Who makes you cry. Who turns a dance floor into a stage for something bigger.
Irwin’s performance wasn’t just technically perfect — it was a son honoring his father. Hendrix’s Paso Doble was a middle-aged actress reclaiming her spotlight. Chiles turned gymnastics into ballroom poetry. And Earle? She proved influencers aren’t just viral — they can be profound.
With Ballas gone, the show lost a living legend. But it gained something more: unpredictability. And that’s what makes Dancing With the Stars still matter after 34 seasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earned the first perfect score of Season 34, and why was it significant?
Robert Irwin, the Australian wildlife conservationist, earned the first perfect score of Season 34 during the semifinals, with all three judges awarding 10s for his emotional routine with Witney Carson. It was significant because it marked the first flawless performance of the season — and it came during a high-stakes elimination round, adding emotional weight as he honored his late father, Steve Irwin.
Why was Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas’ elimination surprising?
Mark Ballas is a seven-time finalist and fan favorite who had never been eliminated before the finals in his previous appearances. Whitney Leavitt, despite being a social media influencer, had shown steady improvement. Their elimination — the first at the semifinal stage in three seasons — broke the trend of "everyone makes it to the finale," making it a major twist that shocked fans and critics alike.
What was the scoring system used in the semifinals?
Each couple performed two dances: one new style and one previously mastered. Each judge awarded up to 10 points per dance, making the maximum per dance 30 and the total possible score 60. Viewer votes were combined with judge scores to determine who advanced. Alix Earle achieved the highest total at 58/60, while Elaine Hendrix and Jordan Chiles tied at 57/60.
How did the semifinal format differ from previous seasons?
For the past two seasons, all semifinalists advanced to the finals — a "surprise" twist meant to boost viewer engagement. This season, ABC reverted to the traditional format: only five of six couples moved forward. The return of the semifinal elimination brought back tension and unpredictability, making the competition feel more authentic and high-stakes.
Who are the five finalists, and what makes them stand out?
The five finalists are Alix Earle (social media influencer), Elaine Hendrix (actress), Jordan Chiles (Olympic gymnast), Robert Irwin (wildlife conservationist), and Dylan Van Iwaarden (singer-songwriter). Each brings a unique background: Chiles’ athleticism, Hendrix’s dramatic flair, Irwin’s emotional depth, Earle’s viral charisma, and Van Iwaarden’s musicality. Their diversity is what makes the finals so compelling — it’s not just about dancing, it’s about storytelling.
When and where will the finals air?
The Dancing With the Stars Season 34 finals will air live on Tuesday, November 28, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time on ABC, broadcast from the ABC Television Center in Burbank, California. The winner will be crowned with the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy after performances, fan votes, and final judge scores.
