The Latest 'DWTS' Elimination Sparks Heated Online Discussion

Not only do online viewers believe that the duo who were eliminated did not deserve to go, but they have also expressed who they think should have been sent home instead.

It was the kind of night no one saw coming — and fans are absolutely livid. In what spectators are viewing as a stunning injustice, "Dancing with the Stars" ("DWTS") bid farewell to a beloved pair this week, and fans are not just sad — they're fuming.

Contestant Scott Hoying and his professional dance partner Rylee Arnold bid adieu to the competition and spoke about their time on the show after Wicked Night, which saw two couples walk away with the season's first perfect 10s.

'We're Best Friends': Emotional Goodbyes After the Curtain Falls

Despite the sting of their departure, both Hoying and Arnold remained in high spirits as they reflected on their time together. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the Pentatonix singer described the experience as "the coolest" of his life, sharing how the six weeks of rehearsals had not only pushed him physically but also forged a lasting friendship with his partner.

"We're best friends," Hoying said, adding that while the thought of not returning to rehearsal the next day left him feeling emotional, he was trying to focus on the positives.

With humor and heart, he joked about his "dislocated" rib and how his scoliosis had been put through the wringer, but emphasized how much he had grown during the process.

Arnold, visibly moved, echoed the sentiment, saying she felt an immediate comfort with Hoying from the moment they met. "I'm just so proud of him [...] I felt so much gratitude because it's just been a really, really good season," she shared.

Their heartfelt farewell concluded on a light note when Hoying, at the interviewer's playful request, belted out a riff, earning cheers from those around him — a fitting final act for a performer who had clearly left his mark.

The Spellbinding Performance That Ended in a Surprising Elimination

Their final dance was nothing short of cinematic. Set against a dreamlike backdrop and dramatic blue lighting, Hoying and Arnold began their contemporary routine standing apart on the stage, bathed in quiet anticipation.

As the first notes of "The Wizard and I" filled the ballroom, Arnold's fluid arm work gave way to Hoying's slow approach, his hands moving with intent as he closed the distance between them.

The choreography unfolded like a story — filled with sweeping turns, graceful lifts, and an evident emotional tether between the two dancers. As the music swelled, so did the momentum of their movements, culminating in a finale showered with confetti and applause.

While it marked the end of their journey, the performance served as a testament to how much Hoying had grown throughout the competition — both technically and artistically.

'Wrong Couple Went Home!': Fans Are Outraged by Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold's Elimination

After the episode aired, social media erupted with backlash over the surprising elimination. Fans of the show didn't hold back, flooding timelines with frustration and disbelief over what many described as an unfair result. One viewer bluntly stated, "Wrong couple went home!" echoing a sentiment that was shared repeatedly across platforms.

Others pointed out the contestant whom they feel should have taken Hoying's place instead. "Should have been Andy," declared a spectator, while someone else expressed disbelief, "I can't believe he was voted off before Andy. His dancing was way better."

In a more pointed critique, one person exclaimed, "Should have been Andy! He can't dance!!" and another confidently predicted, "Next week Andy will be the next one to go."

The discontent didn't stop there. Some people questioned the legitimacy of the voting process, with one remarking, "Be so fr who is voting for Andy [sic]," while another speculated, "Andy richter [sic] has some connections."

'Horrible, Inconsistent Judging': Viewers Slam Scoring After Emotional Episode

But Andy wasn't the only one catching heat — the judges came under fire too. "Wrong scoring. They should have gotten a higher score from the judges," one viewer insisted. Another echoed this frustration, writing, "The scoring was inconsistent with some dances. Just stunned."

A more overarching critique came from someone who said, "Tonight was a beautiful theme, beautiful dances but [sic] horrible, inconsistent judging and the wrong elimination." Elsewhere, a netizen added, "A shame at how inconsistent the scoring was tonight!"

The Performance Viewers Feel Pales in Comparison to Scott Hoying's Contemporary Piece

Much of the frustration online stemmed from a direct comparison between Hoying's contemporary grace and the theatricality of Andy Richter and Emma Slater's jazz performance. The pair took the stage with a burst of Broadway-inspired energy, stepping through an illuminated doorway as the opening bars of "One Short Day" echoed through the ballroom.

With wide-eyed expressions and playful chemistry, Richter and Slater launched into their routine, twirling with exaggerated flair before running down a staircase to take the center of the stage.

Their choreography leaned heavily into the musical's whimsical charm, with the two swaying their arms from side to side and darting playfully across the floor. At one point, Richter dipped Slater into a modest lean, then steadied her as she executed a lifted leg spin.

The performance continued with upbeat footwork, hand-in-hand skipping, and synchronized movement alongside a lively ensemble of background dancers. Their number concluded with a final dip as confetti showered down on the stage — a theatrical ending that mirrored the tone of the entire piece.

While the elimination left many fans disappointed, the evening wasn't without celebration. Amid the heartbreak and heated reactions, Wicked Night also delivered a standout high point — as two couples achieved a milestone that had yet to be reached this season.

Week six of season 34 of "DWTS," which aired on Tuesday, October 21, was one to remember. Two couples managed to earn the season's first perfect 10s, but not everyone in the audience was pleased, as many viewers voiced their disappointment about the direction the competition is taking.

Glinda Takes Center Stage as Whitney Leavitt Dazzles the Judges

During "DWTS" Wicked Night, ten couples performed Argentine Tango, Contemporary, Foxtrot, Jazz, Rumba, and Quickstep routines to songs from the "Wicked" movie soundtrack.

Whitney Leavitt and professional dancer Mark Ballas took on a Quickstep to "Popular," with Leavitt channeling Glinda's bubbly personality.

After their lively performance, judge Derek Hough appeared impressed, getting out of his seat and calling the routine advanced and full of energy. He added, "I feel like we are discovering a star before our eyes."

Jon Chu praised it as a flawless mix of technical skill and entertainment, saying it captured the spirit of the night. "I was floating on air in a bubble," he noted. Meanwhile, Bruno Tonioli described the dance as a playful explosion of Glinda's charm.

Carrie Ann Inaba chimed in, saying it was delightfully chaotic and showed Leavitt's growth throughout the competition. Leavitt and Ballas ultimately received the first 10s of the season. However, as much as the judges had plenty of positive things to say, the audience didn't share the same enthusiasm.

Viewer Backlash Erupts

One viewer couldn't hold back their frustration, declaring, "Favoritism needs to end before this show losses [sic] the majority of its fanbase xoxo." Another spectator was completely overwhelmed, writing, "I CANNOT WITH THIS ANYMORE. THE FAVORITISM IS BEYOND."

Some tried to appreciate the performance but still felt conflicted, saying, "Excellent dance, but it felt wrong to be the first 10s of the season."

An observer noted, "I still think Alix's maleficent routine deserved the first 10! Not this." On the other hand, one fan left no room for doubt, simply stating, "DESERVED EVERY SINGLE 10."

Jordan Chiles Moves the Judges with Breathtaking Rumba

Jordan Chiles and professional dancer Ezra Sosa closed out the Wicked Night with a graceful Rumba to "For Good," performed against a backdrop of poppies. The routine captivated the judges, with Tonioli describing it as breathtaking and worthy of Cynthia Erivo's admiration.

Inaba admitted she didn't want the evening to end, calling it her favorite night of the season and praising the dance as pure perfection. Hough found the performance visually stunning, adding, "When we say be more grounded, that's what we're talking about. Now I want to see the emotions more."

Meanwhile, Chu said he recognized the same determination in Chiles that he saw when she competed at the Olympics in Paris. "You want to win this thing, I can tell," he added. The performance earned Chiles her first 10s of the season.

Since there was no elimination the previous week, viewer votes from both Dedication Night and Wicked Night were combined with the judges' scores to decide who would leave the competition.

Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov, Chiles and Sosa, Leavitt and Ballas, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik, and Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten were declared safe.

Leaderboard Drama: Whitney Leavitt and Jordan Chiles Neck and Neck

The couples on "DWTS" were also ranked based on their overall scores for Wicked Night and their combined totals. Leavitt and Ballas topped the leaderboard for Wicked Night with 39 out of 40, earning a combined score of 72 out of 80.

Chiles and Sosa matched their score with 39 out of 40, bringing their total to 71 out of 80. Irwin and Carson followed closely behind with 36 out of 40 and a combined score of 71 out of 80.

Hendrix and Bersten also earned 36 out of 40, ending with 66 out of 80 overall, while Fishel and Pashkov received the same score for the night and a combined total of 65 out of 80. Earle and Chmerkovskiy scored 35 out of 40, with a combined 70 out of 80.

Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach received 32 out of 40, with a total of 68 out of 80, while Affleck and Ravnik earned the same 32 out of 40, finishing with 61 out of 80 overall.

Hoying and Arnold followed with 28 out of 40, giving them 58 out of 80 combined, and Richter and Slater closed out the rankings with 27 out of 40 and a total of 51 out of 80.

With emotions high and opinions flying, one thing is clear: Wicked Night left a mark on the ballroom and viewers alike. From soaring scores and skyrocketing tempers to the unexpected goodbye of a beloved contestant, "DWTS" Season 34 is proving to be its most unpredictable yet.