“Dancing With the Stars” turned the ballroom into the happiest place on Earth Tuesday night — and the magic did not disappoint. The October 7 Disney Night opened with a lively performance of “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, featuring guest performer Danny Gardner, who plays Lumière in the touring production, alongside Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and friends.
From there, the stars delivered a whole night of dazzling routines inspired by Disney classics, filling the floor with high-energy quicksteps, graceful waltzes, and joyful jazz numbers. Let’s look at all the performances.
Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik
The pair hit the floor with a jazzy take on “Friend Like Me” from “Aladdin”. The performance leaned heavily into theatrical flair and pure Disney magic, earning the pair their highest score of the season.
Bruno Tonioli called the routine “spectacular” and “well put together.” At the same time, Carrie Ann Inaba praised its joyful Disney spirit but noted she’d love to see a bit more difficulty in the choreography. Derek Hough applauded Affleck’s athleticism, exclaiming, “Did you just do a back walkover?” before adding it was a “great way to end the night.”
Score: 23 out of 30.
Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and pro partner Ezra Sosa lit up the Dancing With the Stars ballroom with a vibrant quickstep to “Special Spice” from the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure ride. Their lively routine paid tribute to Princess Tiana, Disney’s first Black princess — a character Chiles said holds special meaning for her.
Derek Hough praised Chiles’ poise and precision, telling her, “I hope you feel like a princess because you looked absolutely beautiful out there,” and commending her “crisp” footwork. Bruno Tonioli called her “dance royalty,” while Carrie Ann Inaba applauded her natural charisma, saying, “When you dance, it’s fun, it’s animated, but it’s also authentic.”
Score: 24 out of 30.
Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy
Val Chmerkovskiy and Alix Earle brought a touch of dark elegance to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom with their dramatic Viennese waltz to “Once Upon a Dream” from Maleficent on Dedication Night. Earle described the performance as “a toxic dance,” representing a journey from love to heartbreak.
The judges were captivated by the storytelling. Derek Hough called the number “mesmerizing, magical, spellbinding,” and said it was Earle’s best performance yet. Bruno Tonioli praised the “gripping, haunting drama,” noting how seamlessly she moved through each step.
Carrie Ann Inaba applauded their chemistry, telling Earle, “You are on a roll,” and crediting her trust in Chmerkovskiy’s lead. Julianne Hough added a playful moment by mispronouncing Maleficent as “Macifalent.”
Score: 24 out of 30 — their highest of the season.
Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov
Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov brought a burst of jungle fun to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom with their quickstep to “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)” from The Jungle Book. “It so perfectly encapsulates our playful side,” Fishel said before taking the floor.
The judges loved the energy and character of their routine. Bruno Tonioli applauded the lively spirit but mentioned a few timing slips. Carrie Ann Inaba praised their strong body contact, calling the dance “amazing and also fun,” though she noted Fishel looked “a little tossed around” toward the end.
Derek Hough called the quickstep “fantastic” and said he appreciated how Fishel’s personality shone through, even as he agreed with the other critiques.
Score: 21 out of 30.
Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten rocketed through the Dancing With the Stars ballroom with a lightning-fast quickstep to the “Space Mountain” theme, capturing the thrill of the beloved Disney ride.
Bruno Tonioli called the routine “wonderful,” marveling at the duo’s speed. “What a ride — you were going at warp speed,” he said. Carrie Ann Inaba praised Hendrix’s confidence, telling her, “You are redefining what it means to be a mature woman,” and declared it her “best dance” yet. Derek Hough compared the performance to a roller coaster, calling it “really, really great” and applauding its technical difficulty.
Julianne Hough then revealed an exciting twist: Hendrix’s best friend, Abbott Elementary star Lisa Ann Walter, may join her on the dance floor for next week’s Dedication Night.
Score: 24 out of 30 — their best of the season.
Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold
Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold brought serious school spirit to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom with a vibrant salsa to “Bop to the Top” from High School Musical. The performance held special meaning for Hoying, who played Ryan’s love interest in Season 4 of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Carrie Ann Inaba praised the routine’s energy, saying, “That’s what happens when the confidence kicks in,” and called the choreography “fantastic,” despite a small arm mix-up.
Derek Hough applauded their chemistry and precision, describing it as a “proper salsa routine” that was “well done from start to finish.” Bruno Tonioli echoed the sentiment, noting the content was “all there” and encouraging Hoying to be proud — even as he pointed out the brief arm tangle.
Score: 21 out of 30.
Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas
Whitney Leavitt, star of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives”, and pro partner Mark Ballas delivered a showstopping foxtrot to “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton on Dancing With the Stars. Their performance blended Broadway-level flair with ballroom precision, earning high praise from the judges.
Carrie Ann Inaba was blown away, calling it “insane” and adding, “There’s traditional foxtrot and then there’s Mark’s foxtrot — it’s so good.”
Derek Hough compared the number to a live stage production, saying, “Get these two on Broadway stat.” Bruno Tonioli applauded the pair’s showmanship and musical timing, declaring, “You should be proud.”
Score: 25 out of 30 — with Carrie Ann awarding the season’s first 9.
Andy Richter & Emma Slater
Andy Richter and Emma Slater brought warmth and whimsy to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom with a charming Viennese waltz to “Le Festin” from “Ratatouille.” The performance leaned into the film’s message that “anyone can cook” — or in this case, dance — as Richter embodied the heart and humor that have defined his journey this season.
Carrie Ann Inaba praised him for creating “memorable dances,” though she noted that by Week 4, the judges are looking for more technical precision. Derek Hough couldn’t help but joke that Emma “went full mouse,” applauding Richter for capturing the movie’s uplifting spirit and proving that “anyone can dance.”
Score: 18 out of 30
Robert Irwin & Witney Carson
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson brought infectious energy to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom with a lively cha-cha to “Try Everything” from “Zootopia.” The upbeat performance highlighted Irwin’s growing confidence and easy charm on the dance floor.
Derek Hough praised his natural presence, telling him, “You just have that Irwin aura,” while encouraging him to strengthen his leg technique. Bruno Tonioli cheered the transformation “from a snappy salty into a cuddly koala,” complimenting Irwin’s rhythm and adaptability. Carrie Ann Inaba offered gentle feedback, advising him to stay loose and keep his movements flowing.
Score: 22 out of 30
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach hit the gas on Dancing With the Stars with a high-energy quickstep to Rascal Flatts’ “Life Is a Highway” from “Cars,” earning strong praise and a solid score from the judges.
Derek Hough dubbed him “McQueen the Quickstep King,” calling the routine “great” while encouraging Efron to bring more focus to his movements. Bruno Tonioli said the duo was “hitting the highway to the final,” applauding Efron’s ability to keep up with Karagach and handle the challenging choreography. Carrie Ann Inaba shared that she was “truly engaged” throughout, commending Efron for dancing with presence rather than just performing steps.
Julianne Hough lightened the moment by asking why he hadn’t performed a High School Musical tribute, given his famous last name. Efron smiled and teased, “I have something special for next week”—if he makes it through.
Score: 23 out of 30.
Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko
Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko brought an out-of-this-world performance to the Dancing With the Stars ballroom with a quickstep to “Cantina Band” from “Star Wars: A New Hope.” Their playful, space-themed routine captivated the judges and audience alike.
Bruno Tonioli admitted he watched “very closely” for mistakes but “didn’t see it.” Carrie Ann Inaba called Baldwin “a contender,” praising her for genuinely dancing rather than simply performing steps. Derek Hough acknowledged her talent but pointed out a lack of traditional quickstep content—prompting playful protests from Carrie Ann and Bruno, who insisted it was still a “great dance.”
The pair earned 23 out of 30 for their performance before the night took an emotional turn. Baldwin and Savchenko were later eliminated, marking the end of their journey on Dancing With the Stars.
“This has been an incredible experience. I am so grateful to all of you,” Baldwin said, thanking her fans and family. “I’m cheering on everybody in the cast because this has been an amazing time.” Savchenko praised his partner’s dedication and heart throughout the competition, as Baldwin exited the show with grace and gratitude.
