By: Jewel Dickerman
It was a wild week on Dancing with the Stars as TikTok Night took over the ballroom, bringing viral hits, bold choreography, and one jaw-dropping performance that left both the judges and audience speechless.
Robert Irwin Turns Up the Heat
The biggest moment of the night came from Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson, who delivered a high-energy salsa to a trending TikTok favorite. Halfway through the number, Irwin surprised everyone by tearing off his shirt mid-routine — a move that instantly sent the crowd (and social media) into a frenzy.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was momentarily speechless, eventually laughing, “I was not expecting that!” Fellow judge Derek Hough praised Irwin’s charisma and performance quality but noted a few technical missteps. Still, the pair earned an impressive 24 out of 30, tying for the top score of the night with Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and her partner Ezra Sosa.
A Shocking Elimination
While the night was full of laughs and viral moments, the elimination left fans stunned. Former Fifth Harmony member Lauren Jauregui and her partner Brandon Armstrong were sent home after their cha-cha to “Work From Home” landed them in the bottom three with a score of 18.
When asked about her exit, Jauregui was extremely upset but then went on thank fans for their support. Later, she shared an emotional message on social media: “You already know your girl is a Cancer, so I’ve been crying non-stop.”
Fans quickly flooded online platforms to express their frustration, calling the results “unfair” and “heartbreaking.” Many blamed the voting system rather than performance quality for her departure.
Drama in the Ballroom
As if one shocking elimination weren’t enough, a behind-the-scenes moment caught on camera had everyone talking. Just after the results were announced, dancer Whitney Leavitt began celebrating her safety when fellow contestant Danielle Fishel appeared to scold her, gesturing for her to tone it down out of respect for the eliminated pair. The brief exchange instantly went viral, sparking heated debate among viewers about etiquette during live eliminations.
The Competition Heats Up
This week’s elimination followed the previous episode’s One-Hit Wonders Night, where Corey Feldman & Jenna Johnson and Baron Davis & Britt Stewart were both sent home in a surprise double elimination. That night ended in a four-way tie for first place between Jordan Chiles, Jen Affleck, Whitney Leavitt, and Robert Irwin, each earning 22 out of 30.
With Lauren Jauregui now out of the running, the leaderboard is wide open. Robert Irwin continues to win over the crowd with his charisma, while Jordan Chiles remains a technical powerhouse and early favorite for the Mirrorball Trophy.
What’s Next
The upcoming episode promises to be one of the most anticipated of the season: Disney Night. Expect the ballroom to transform into a fairytale stage, complete with costumes, emotional storytelling, and a few surprises that only DWTS can deliver.
As the competition tightens, one thing’s clear — no one is safe, and every dance counts.
