'DWTS' Viewers Say Dylan Efron Didn't Deserve the Highest Score of Dedication Night

Not only have viewers expressed that Dylan Effron didn't deserve the highest score, but many have also highlighted the contestant who they think should have been scored higher.

"Dedication Night" of "Dancing with the Stars" ("DWTS") Season 34 recently aired, and the score results have put social media in a tailspin.

Contestant Dylan Efron and his professional partner, Daniella Karagach, performed a beautiful contemporary dance in honor of Dylan's adorable little sister, Olivia Efron, who means the world to him.

Emotions, Twirls, and a Sibling Spotlight That Stunned the Ballroom

As the lights dimmed and the spotlight fell across the ballroom, Dylan, dressed in an open white shirt and black pants, appeared on one end of the stage — barefoot and beaming — while Olivia stood on the opposite side in a delicate cream-colored dress.

The first notes of "Rewrite the Stars" by Zac Efron and Zendaya floated through the air, and what followed was a scene pulled straight from a fairytale. Dylan's face lit up with pride as he watched his little sister approach, and the two met in the middle, where they joined hands for a sweet, playful spin.

Dropping to one knee, he helped Olivia glide around him before gently lifting her in his arms and carrying her down the stage steps. Their brief duet ended with a second twirl as Olivia made her way to loved ones in the audience — just as Daniella glided onto the floor to begin the main performance.

What ensued was a fluid and heartfelt contemporary routine, with Dylan and Daniella moving in seamless synchronicity.

Their choreography, filled with dips, impressive lifts, and sweeping turns, captured the emotional heartbeat of the tribute without sacrificing technique. Then, as Daniella slipped into the shadows and confetti began to fall, Olivia returned.

She raced into her brother's arms for a warm embrace that had the ballroom on its feet and roaring with applause. Dylan's performance blew the judges away so much that he ended up earning the highest score of the evening.

Internet Explodes over Dylan Efron's Score: 'The Concept of Dylan Getting All 9s Is Still Baffling'

While the in-studio audience couldn't get enough of Dylan's performance, the online response was far more divided — and in many cases, pointed. Across social media, viewers questioned whether Dylan's performance had truly warranted the night's highest score.

One person penned, "The concept of Dylan getting all 9s is still baffling me but the concept of Carrie Ann giving him a 9 over Robert is a grudge i'll hold til the end of time #DWTS [sic]," attaching a GIF of an actress declaring how she holds grudges.

Another echoed the sentiment, "I'm sorry but if Dylan deserved the all 9s then so does this AND MORE. Robert was underscored and robbed [sic]!" They attached a clip of the contestant they feel deserved to score higher than Dylan.

Others continued to compare Dylan's scores to those of fellow contestants, with one remarking, "Scott got two 8's but Robert didn't get 9's like Dylan? Absurd. Robert and Dylan of similar skill level, but Scott is nowhere near Robert's [sic]!"

A similar critique followed, "The top three should go Robert, Alix, then Whitney. Dylan did not do enough to earn the highest score of the season."

A viewer opined, "IMO Robert's contemporary was much better than Dylan's and should've had a higher score @officialdwts #DWTS," while someone else exclaimed, "NO WAY DYLAN's SCORE WAS HIGHER THAN ROBERT's @officialdwts #DWTS."

Dylan Efron's Fans Shower Him with Praise

Still, not all the feedback was critical. Many fans were moved by the emotional heart behind Dylan's dedication to his sister. "❤️❤️❤️my fave!! His face glows when he's with his sister. So special!!" gushed one supporter. Another simply expressed, "Gosh in [sic] tears 😢," summing up what many who were touched by the sibling moment may have felt.

The Contestant Whom Fans Think Deserved a Higher Score

At the heart of the controversy stood a standout performance — one that many fans felt was deserving of the night's highest honors. Robert Irwin, the beloved wildlife conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin, took to the ballroom floor with partner Witney Carson for an emotionally charged contemporary number dedicated to his mother, Terri Irwin.

Dancing to Phil Collins' "You'll Be in My Heart," Robert opened the performance seated alone on the floor, his head bowed as he pretended to cry. As the music began, Witney stepped into frame and wrapped Robert in a comforting embrace.

From there, the pair glided across the stage in a moving tribute to the unbreakable bond between mother and son. With eye-catching floor work and wide, sweeping lifts, Robert demonstrated both vulnerability and control — seamlessly transitioning from grounded grief to expressive grace.

The most heartfelt moment came at the end, when Witney quietly stepped aside, making room for Terri to take her place. Robert spun his mom gently before embracing her in an emotional hug, the crowd visibly moved by the real-life tenderness unfolding before them.

It was this raw, cinematic moment that many viewers held up as the true pinnacle of the evening — a performance steeped not only in storytelling and technique, but in deep personal connection.

The Final Scores of the Night

Despite the online stir, the judges made their decisions, awarding Dylan and Daniella the highest score of the evening with 36 out of 40. Just one point behind them were Robert and Witney, who earned 35 out of 40, tying with Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, who performed their own contemporary to Coldplay's "Sparks."

Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas followed with a score of 33 out of 40 for their performance to "Heal" by Jamal Roberts, while Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa received 32 out of 40 for their Viennese waltz to John Mayer's "Daughters."

Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten performed a foxtrot to Natalie Cole's "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)," earning 30 out of 40 — the same score given to Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold, who danced a foxtrot to Scott's own song, "Parallel."

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik performed a Viennese waltz to Lauren Daigle's "Rescue," receiving 29 out of 40, a score they shared with Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov, who danced a lively jive to "Boy Meets World" by Twenty Cent Crush feat. Phil Rosenthal.

At the bottom of the scoreboard was Andy Richter and Emma Slater, whose salsa to Harry Belafonte's "Jump in the Line" earned them 24 out of 40.

Despite the varied results, there were no eliminations on "Dedication Night." All contestants were declared safe, guaranteeing fans that each star would have at least one more opportunity to return to the ballroom.

Dylan Efron Speaks About His Performance with His Little Sister: 'It Was Everything'

Following the performances, Dylan reflected on the evening during a post-show interview with Extra, where his emotions remained close to the surface.

When asked about the touching tribute and what it meant to share the stage with his little sister, Dylan said, "It was everything. Yeah, when I think of my brother who's just always there for me… it means a lot to Olivia. Like, it feels like I'm passing it on."

Before his response, the interviewer reiterated an earlier reflection that Dylan shared during the show about his famous brother Zac's influence in his life — "Zac really showed you selfless love and sacrifice, and you want to give that same love to Olivia."

The heart behind the performance didn't go unnoticed either — not by the audience or the judges. "I think those nines were all because of her," Dylan joked sweetly about Olivia.

As for how he felt about the panel's high praise, he made it known how "happy" it made him, adding, "It's like we're putting in work every week to improve, and it's cool that it's being seen."

Behind the Scenes: A Brother–Sister Bond That Melts Hearts

Dylan's emotional reflections may not be surprising to those who've followed his relationship with Olivia beyond the ballroom. Their bond has long been evident in social media posts, including a sweet video montage shared on Instagram that shows the two simply enjoying life as siblings.

The touching clip is overlaid with a voiceover from Olivia herself, in which she expresses how much she loves her big brother and how much he loves her — a sentiment that echoes the same warmth Dylan expressed on stage.

In another post shared by Dylan ahead of their performance, he gave fans a peek behind the scenes, posting adorable photos of Olivia joining him at the "DWTS" studio during rehearsals.

His caption reads, "Please welcome the newest member of Team DaDy, my lil sister Olivia. She's quickly become 2nd best [sic] dancer on the team and by far the cutest. Team DaDy-O #DWTS."

Whether in rehearsals, in the spotlight, or simply enjoying everyday moments, the connection between the Efron siblings continues to shine — both on and off the dance floor.