By: Jewel Dickerman
The latest episode of Dancing with the Stars delivered pure Disney magic as the remaining 11 couples performed enchanting routines inspired by some of the most beloved films. Glittering costumes, creative choreography, and a few near-perfect scores made it one of the most exciting nights of the season — but it ended with an elimination that left fans in disbelief.
The ballroom came alive as Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas opened the night with a graceful Foxtrot to “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton. Their performance impressed all three judges, earning a 25 out of 30 — the highest score of the night and Whitney’s first 9 of the season. Close behind were Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, whose energetic Quickstep to “Special Spice” scored 24 points, tying them with social media star Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, who danced a dreamy Viennese Waltz inspired by Maleficent.
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten also scored 24 for their futuristic Space Mountain-themed Quickstep, while Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach’s Cars-inspired Quickstep earned 23. Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik matched that score with a playful Jazz routine to “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin, and Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko impressed with their fun Star Wars-themed Quickstep, receiving a solid 23 from the judges.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson’s Zootopia Cha Cha earned them a respectable 22, while Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold’s lively High School Musical salsa brought in 21. Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov also scored 21 for their Jungle Book-inspired routine, leaving Andy Richter and Emma Slater at the bottom of the leaderboard with an 18 for their elegant but slightly stiff Viennese Waltz to “Le Festin” from Ratatouille.
When it came time for the results, the bottom three couples were revealed to be Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov, Andy Richter and Emma Slater, and surprisingly, Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko — despite their solid performance and higher score. In a shocking twist that drew audible gasps from the audience, Baldwin and Savchenko were eliminated. Fans were quick to express disbelief online, questioning how one of the night’s top performers could be sent home while lower-scoring couples advanced.
Holding back tears, Baldwin thanked her partner and the judges, saying, “This has been an incredible experience. I’m so grateful for everyone who supported me — I’ll be cheering for the rest of the cast all the way.” Gleb praised her dedication, calling her “a superhero and an incredible mom.”
The elimination was a reminder of the unpredictable nature of Dancing with the Stars — where judges’ scores can’t save a contestant without strong audience votes. Disney Night ended with plenty of sparkle, but also a reminder that in this competition, fan support can be just as magical — and just as crucial — as a perfect dance.
