OP-ED: As We Head into the DWTS Finals, Let’s Take a Look Back
Dancing with the Stars has taken over TikTok and is sweeping the nation, making an impressive rebound with all-time high viewership. Tuesday, November 18th, was Prince Night, which honored the musician by using his music catalog for all of the dances. Tuesday was also the semifinals, which meant the elimination would show America who was heading into the Season 34 finals.
Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast member Whitney Leavitt received a surprising elimination after the judges scored her in the top three dancers of the night. But, unfortunately, she did not receive America’s votes to carry her to the finals.
So, who will be sashaying their way into the finals? Robert Irwin, alongside pro Witney Carson; Alix Earle, with pro Val Chmerkovskiy; Jordan Chiles, with pro Ezra Sosa; Elaine Hendrix, with pro Alan Bersten; and Dylan Efron, with pro Daniella Karagach.
To celebrate a very successful season along with the upcoming finale next week, I decided to name a couple of my favorite dances from each of these pairings throughout this season.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson hit the ground running with a fantastic jive to ‘Born to Be Wild,’ which Derek Hough said was, “probably the best first dance I have ever seen on this show” (Kaplan). And this dance was a show stopper, with its dynamic energy and incredible precision, especially given the fact that Robert had never danced before. But, Robert’s success did not end on week one, he continued to score high throughout the competition. Another top dance was his Wicked night performance, where he embraced the character of Fiyero as he danced to the lively number ‘Dancing Through Life.’ Robert was able to deliver a Broadway-level performance, complete with a smooth execution of the worm dance move and a wink. Robert tends to do best with high energy dances, especially ones with a character to embody. Lastly, not a dry eye was left in the audience with his tribute dance to his mother with the song, ‘You’ll be In My Heart.’ It was a moving performance, which represented the love between a child and a single parent.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy have also been front runners this season, delivering many memorable performances. One of my personal favorites was their Maleficent-themed Disney night dance, which was a Viennese waltz. The song ‘Once Upon a Dream’ created the perfect atmosphere, and Alix nailed the characterization element that brought the dance to another level. Alix showed her acting abilities yet again in her Wicked night performance to ‘What Is This Feeling?’ where she portrayed Glinda to a T, with excellent hair tosses. Another dance that Alix nailed this season was her paso doble for Rock Hall night, cleverly choreographed to Bon Jovi’s ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’ (a subtle wink to Alix’s New Jersey roots). The dance was brilliant in execution and certainly embodied the rock theme. Her social media followers have also been privy to many fun GRWM-for-Show-Night TikToks, taking her usual content and applying it to her life on Dancing with the Stars.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa really showed their potential Week Two with their jive to ‘Maniac.’ You could really tell the pair had shaken off the nerves of Week One and brought their full energy to this dance. This was a shining moment for Ezra, as he is a relatively new pro dancer on the show. Just like many of the pairs, Jordan and Ezra did fantastic in their Wicked week dance, a rumba to ‘For Good.’ The dance was controlled and fluid, and kept your attention, which can be challenging with slower dances. Then, Jordan and Ezra brought the power with their jazz to ‘River Deep — Mountain High,’ where Jordan wore the classic Tina Turner hair-do. This pair has received mixed scores throughout the season, but they have also brought some top dances to the floor. Certain dances this season have really shown that Jordan is not only a world class gymnast but also a fabulous dancer capable of bringing both grace and strength to the stage.
Elain Hendrix and Alan Bersten brought an elegant class this season, reminiscent of the golden era of Broadway. My favorite dance of theirs this season was definitely their contemporary dance to ‘Defying Gravity’ where Elaine quite literally defied gravity when Alan levitated her about a foot off the ground while turning. Elaine may be in her 50s, but she definitely doesn’t show it when she dances. Her roots of professional dance shine through every time she hits the dance floor. An adorable dance the pair performed this season was “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” a nod to Elaine’s role as Meredith in The Parent Trap. In this dance, she was joined by Lisa Ann Walter, her best friend and fellow Parent Trap star. What this dance really brought to the table was not only good dancing, but a compelling choreography that made you keep watching.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach made waves with their DWTS 20th anniversary Argentine tango that featured a stealthily smooth lift that made Daniella look as though she was swimming. This unique lift went viral across TikTok with couples across the country trying to replicate it. The dance was a particular favorite of mine for its dynamic energy and fantastic choreography. Another standout dance for Dylan and Daniella was their jive to ‘I’m Still Standing,’ as it really showed Dylan’s growth and overall dance ability. I find that the celebrity can’t really hide behind the pro dancer in a jive, so a great jive can be a way to really show off the talent of the celebrity. Fans have noted that Dylan is a great celebrity to symbolize what Dancing with the Stars does best: taking celebs with no dance background and slowly growing them into amazing dancers week by week.
And what is truly unique about Dancing with the Stars is its ability to capture the hearts of individuals of all ages, while also being relatively low stakes. So much of television nowadays has to involve drama and intrigue, while Dancing with the Stars is a feel-good show that simply champions dance. And in a world with so much negativity and so much weight being put on younger generations, it is shows like Dancing with the Stars that bring the light and positivity. And the best of humanity, like community and passion, is able to be showcased, providing a message of hope when many try to lead a narrative of darkness.
But, as Katie Elder pointed out in last week’s article, the ultimate question remains simple; who will take the Mirrorball for Season 34?
Written by: Katie Breuche
Work Cited:
Kaplan, Anna. “Robert Irwin’s “Dancing with the Stars” Debut Was “Best 1st Dance” Judge Derek Hough Has Seen.” Today, 17 Sept. 2025, www.today.com/popculture/tv/robert-irwin-dancing-with-the-stars-performance-season-34-premiere-rcna231832.