The much-anticipated Halloween Night on Dancing With the Stars delivered an evening filled with haunting routines, electrifying scores, and a surprising elimination that left fans buzzing. This episode brought out the celebrity dancers’ deepest fears and showcased intense competition as they embraced the Halloween spirit, confronting fears that ranged from creepy dolls and vampires to the darkness itself. In the true spirit of the season, the episode was an exciting mix of tricks and treats for both the audience and judges, who saw some of the most remarkable performances yet this season.
Dancing With Fear: Spooky Routines and First Perfect Scores
In a thematic twist, each couple danced a routine inspired by their personal nightmares, which resulted in some of the most engaging performances of the season. The pairs delved into themes of snakes, the boogeyman, vampires, and even sinister dolls, turning each dance into a unique horror-inspired spectacle. Dwight Howard and his partner, Daniella Karagach, took on the challenge with a chilling contemporary routine set to “Ring Around the Rosie,” embodying both their fears and the dark Halloween vibe. This performance marked a milestone in the season as they earned a 10 from judge Carrie Ann Inaba, bringing the first perfect score of the season and causing an emotional moment on stage. Both Dwight and Daniella, who had faced challenges throughout rehearsals, were visibly moved, their hard work finally paying off in a big way.
Building Momentum: Additional Perfect Scores Set the Tone
Carrie Ann’s perfect 10 for Dwight and Daniella set the tone, and it wasn’t the only one for the night. Danny Amendola and his partner Witney Carson, Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber, and Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson also achieved this coveted score, raising the stakes even further. The trend continued as Bruno Tonioli joined Carrie Ann in awarding Joey and Jenna a 10, which ultimately placed them at the top of the leaderboard. Derek Hough, who had primarily relied on his 9 paddle for much of the evening, surprised everyone by awarding his first 10 of the season to Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong for their Viennese Waltz.
The Grand Finale: Immunity, Dance-Offs, and Leaderboard Ties
As the evening came to a close, Chandler and Brandon were set to perform the final routine of the night. They had an immunity advantage from a previous episode, allowing them to skip the intense dance-off challenges. However, Chandler was anything but complacent, as she felt her Viennese Waltz left room for improvement following Carrie Ann’s critique. Despite this, the duo earned a near-perfect score with 10s from Bruno and Derek, ensuring their place at the top alongside Joey and Jenna.
The dance-offs brought added drama and excitement to the night. In these head-to-head showdowns, Dwight and Daniella won their cha-cha to “Ghostbusters” against Ilona and Alan, while Jenn and Sasha triumphed over Stephen and Rylee in a salsa battle to “Jump In the Line.” The final dance-off between Joey and Jenna and Danny and Witney ended with Joey and Jenna emerging victorious in their energetic jive to “Time Warp.”
Shocking Elimination and a Twist for Next Week
At the conclusion of the episode, after factoring in the audience votes and judges’ scores, Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber faced an unexpected elimination, stunning both the audience and their fellow competitors. The elimination was particularly surprising given Jenn and Sasha’s strong performances and dance-off victory. This unexpected result left fans eager to see how the rest of the season will unfold and how it might impact the dynamics among the remaining pairs.
The Halloween Night episode left fans with a cliffhanger of sorts, as Dancing With the Stars will not air a new episode next week due to Election Night on November 5. This break in the competition will give contestants a chance to regroup and refine their techniques before the show returns, adding to the anticipation of what’s to come.
Highlights of the Night: Fear, Tenacity, and Unforgettable Routines
This Halloween episode delivered exactly what fans love: high-stakes drama, eerie performances, and breakthrough scores that demonstrated the contestants’ growth. It was a night where dancers not only entertained but also pushed past their comfort zones, embracing the darker elements of the season. The episode showcased not only thrilling dance numbers but also emotional moments as competitors broke through their own barriers.
For viewers, this memorable Halloween Night on Dancing With the Stars set the bar high for the remaining episodes, with standout performances and shocking eliminations making it a season highlight.