Scott Hoying Steps into His Element<\/p>\n
9 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Pro Rylee Arnold was excited that she and Scott Hoying “improved in scores and didn’t decline,” but was determined to do better this week.\n<\/p>\n
Scott was particularly excited and focused because they were dancing to \u201clike JENNIE\u201d\u00a0by Jennie, a song that he performed at his wedding for his husband, Mark Manio \u2014 and the routine later went viral online.\n<\/p>\n
“It’s a really beautiful thing to see the acceptance of that video,” Scott said, reflecting on his upbringing and the challenges he faced as a gay man. He also vowed to “bring the love of that wedding dance to the ballroom” on TikTok night.\n<\/p>\n
Following their dance, Carrie Ann let out a scream and declared, “That was your element, you are in your element!”\n<\/p>\n
Derek said he had one word: “Red, for red hot!” He also praised Scott for the way he “shined” in that routine, while Bruno agreed and said the Pentatonix singer was “on fire tonight.”\n<\/p>\n
Before receiving his scores, Scott said this was his favorite dance, and explained how he really felt like he could “break out” in this routine after becoming more comfortable on the ballroom floor.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 22\/30\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Whitney Leavitt Embraces the Power of TikTok<\/p>\n
19 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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After earning another 8 last week \u2014 “and this time, it wasn’t an accident!” Whitney declared \u2014 she was thrilled to enter TikTok week with partner Mark Ballas.\n<\/p>\n
“I never thought me making these videos would lead to me being here today,” the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star told Mark of competing on DWTS.\n<\/p>\n
Despite dancing on TikTok for a living, Whitney struggled to master the technique of the Samba during rehearsals, saying it “has been a lot harder than I thought.” However, she vowed to continue her streak of being on top of the leaderboard.\n<\/p>\n
The two then took the dance floor, dancing to “Shake Ya Ass” by Mystikal. Bruno was thrilled by their Samba routine, telling the pair afterwards: “It’s so hard to get, and you got it.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann echoed how difficult the Samba is to learn and said, “You never wobbled once. You ate that dance up!”\n<\/p>\n
Derek was on the same page, admitting that he was “speechless” after the dance. He called it “mesmerizing,” and added that her “performance quality is off the charts.”\n<\/p>\n
With their score of a 24\/30, they tied for the highest score of the season and the top of the night’s leaderboard \u2014 right beside to Jordan and Ezra.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 24\/30\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Elaine Hendrix Gets Redemption for Meredith Blake<\/p>\n
29 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Coming off a week where she earned her highest score yet, Elaine Hendrix was thrilled to return to rehearsals with partner Alan Bersten, especially because her Parent Trap character, Meredith Blake, is currently making a redemption on TikTok \u2014 and she’d get to play into that for this week’s routine.\n<\/p>\n
While learning the Tango, Elaine said the movements felt “foreign” but she was “determined” to do it as smoothly as the pros do it. She and Alan then performed their dance to “Gnarly” by KATSEYE.\n<\/p>\n
Derek called Elaine “badass” after the routine and noted how the actress is “such a performer.” However, he advised her to keep a “wider frame” and “keep it consistent.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno praised her for “getting the character right,” and said she was “strong” and delivered. He also offered some feedback about keeping her top half consistent.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann declared it “incredible” and “powerful,” but insisted that Elaine was being “too independent.”\n<\/p>\n
“I still feel a little bit of a fighting,” she added, urging Elaine to “trust your partner.”\n<\/p>\n
Elaine later told Julianne Hough that learning the Tango in one week was very difficult but emphasized how proud of herself she was. “54 years old and I just did that!” she said.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 21\/30\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Dylan Efron Is a Belieber!<\/p>\n
35 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Reflecting on the week prior, Dylan Efron said he was proud of how he and partner Daniella Karagach competed. He then learned he was dancing a Foxtrot to “Yukon” by Justin Bieber \u2014 who Dylan happens to be good friends with.\n<\/p>\n
“He makes people feel comfortable being vulnerable and my experience on this show is a vulnerable moment for me,” Dylan explained of his famous pal.\n<\/p>\n
The Traitors star was also determined to “go out there and be dominant” this week, despite how “powerful” Daniella is as a dancer.\n<\/p>\n
And he did just that. Following the routine, Carrie Ann commended Dylan on the fact that he is a beginner, but “really learning” the technique of ballroom dancing. She also called him an “amazing student.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek stood up and called the routine “smooth as silk,” before noting how impressed he was with Dylan’s control in the dance. “That was exceptional!” he said, declaring Dylan a “leading man” in the competition.\n<\/p>\n
Bruno echoed Derek’s comments, saying, “That’s what we want!”\n<\/p>\n
Dylan later said it “means the world” to him to hear the judges’ positive feedback, especially given how much time they put into rehearsing.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 23\/30\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Jordan Chiles Refuses to Lose<\/p>\n
44 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Jordan Chiles was mind-blown by the comparison to Tina Turner that she received the week prior. Her partner Ezra Sosa then revealed they were dancing a Tango to “Anxiety” by Doechii \u2014 something that Jordan could relate to, having dealt with anxiety over the years.\n<\/p>\n
Despite thinking the dance would come easy, Jordan admitted the routine was “very difficult” but vowed to be at the top of the leaderboard this week.\n<\/p>\n
After her routine, Jordan broke down in tears and said she felt “relieved” to let go of her emotions and give a glimpse into what athletes deal with while competing at the top of their level.\n<\/p>\n
Bruno called it “clean, clear, powerful [and] focused,” before declaring it her “best dance yet.” Carrie Ann thanked Jordan for sharing her story and being honest and “using dance as a tool.”\n<\/p>\n
“That was an example of how to be smooth and fierce!” she added.\n<\/p>\n
Derek said he was “really impressed” with the dance and keeping her frame despite the height difference, and reiterated that she turned anxiety into artistry.\n<\/p>\n
Before getting her scores, Jordan said it felt good to tune into her creative side, especially after hearing so often that her sport “doesn’t define” who she is.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 24\/30\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov Dance to a Special Tune<\/p>\n
44 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov celebrated getting their first 7 last week before setting their sights on this week’s routine.\n<\/p>\n
Danielle was given a Foxtrot to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild” \u2014 a particularly meaningful song because she and Sabrina costarred together on Girl Meets World. Reflecting on their friendship, Danielle said Sabrina was “like a daughter” to her.\n<\/p>\n
The actress said she was also focused on keeping her shoulders down after Bruno’s repeated advice over the last few weeks.\n<\/p>\n
When it came time for the judges’ feedback, Derek said Danielle was “refreshing” to watch and appreciated that she incorporated the Foxtrot fundamentals. Bruno was pleased with Danielle’s ability to learn as a student and noted that the “TikTok did not take away from the dance.”\n<\/p>\n
“That is how you do it!” he declared.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann agreed with Derek and Bruno, calling Danielle “really uplifting” and commending her “beautiful” routine. She also urged Danielle to work on her body contact, which she hoped would set her apart from the other competitors.\n<\/p>\n
Later, Danielle said she was “immensely proud” of Sabrina and she hoped that she “made her proud tonight.” The actress also said she’s doing “so much better” after suffering a hamstring injury the first two weeks.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 21\/30\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Charli Reunites with Mark Ballas!<\/p>\n
44 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Before the dances continued, Charli D’Amelio got a chance to reunite with her former partner Mark Ballas, and they danced a short routine.\n<\/p>\n
Later, when asked how TikTok transformed her life, Charli credited the platform’s power and reach. “You can be normal one day and the next day you’re competing on Dancing with the Stars,” she said.\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Lauren Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong Work the Dance Floor \u2014 Not from Home<\/p>\n
1 hr 4 min ago<\/p>\n
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Lauren may be one-fifth of Fifth Harmony, but she created whole moment with her partner, Brandon, as they danced a Cha Cha to \u201cWork From Home\u201d by Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla $ign.\n<\/p>\n
“There’s obviously parts of the choreography that have gone mega-viral,” Brandon pointed out as he told her some of those moves would be worked into their routine.\n<\/p>\n
Set on a faux construction site, the dance concluded with Lauren sitting in the audience alongside three fellow Fifth Harmony members.\n<\/p>\n
“I really like the way you move,” Carrie Ann said. “I want to see a lot more pop in your step. … I want more dynamics. I want more of the life force to come out of you. … Don’t be afraid to hit it and quit it.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek said he looks forward to Lauren’s performances every week, but she needs “more fire” for the Latin dances.\n<\/p>\n
“You have a wonderful lyrical quality,” Bruno said. “Sometimes you have to hit and show the beat through your body like you would with your voice.”\n<\/p>\n
“It’s amazing that nine years later, that song is still going crazy,” Lauren said after her dance.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 18\/30\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Jen Affleck Is Inspired by Her Own Viral Moment<\/p>\n
1 hr 13 min ago<\/p>\n
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Jen and Jann chose \u201cShe\u2019s a Bad Mama Jama (She\u2019s Built, She\u2019s Stacked)\u201d by Carl Carlton, the song she famously danced to in the hospital barefoot right after giving birth.\n<\/p>\n
And the Cha Cha performance began with Jen in a pregnancy belly and her and Jann recreating the viral Love Island USA “Mamacita” dialogue.\n<\/p>\n
“Mama mia!” Bruno declared. “I’ve never quite seen anything like it.” But he also felt the performance needed a bit of work on the finishes.\n<\/p>\n
“You have so much joy when you dance and you’re sexy and you’re a hottie,” Carrie Ann said.\n<\/p>\n
Derek urged Jenn to work on her turns, especially in the Cha Cha, but said that her performance quality is coming along.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 19\/30<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
A TikTok Mash-Up of Your Dreams<\/p>\n
1 hr 20 min ago<\/p>\n
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The evening kicked off with the stars, pros, judges and host recreating TikTok trends and putting their own spins on them.\n<\/p>\n
Robert Irwin did a GRWM (Get Ready with Me) as he prepared to hang with some crocs \u2014 and plucked an eyebrow. Dylan Efron did a little ASMR with confetti, and judge Derek Hough rattled off where he picked up his ‘fit.\n<\/p>\n
Charli D’Amelio Is Set to Bring Her Moves<\/p>\n
1 hr 53 min ago<\/p>\n
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On Sept. 26, ABC announced that TikTok star and season 31 winner Charli D’Amelio<\/a> will be returning to the show to join the evening’s opening number to Charli xcx’s<\/a> \u201cApple.” The performance will incorporate moves made famous by TikToker Kelley Heyer.\n<\/p>\n