Who Was Eliminated in the 'Dancing With the Stars' Semifinals? Results and Recap From Week 10

Fans erupted in outrage following the semifinals' results, flooding social media with accusations that the show eliminated its best dancer and lost all credibility.

The semifinals of "Dancing With the Stars" took an unexpected turn on November 18, 2025, as viewers braced themselves for another emotional cut ahead of the finale.

Most Votes in Show History Preceded Heartbreaking Exit

Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro kicked off the night by announcing a major milestone — the show had received the most votes in its history. Excitement filled the ballroom as fans anticipated who would make it through.

The semifinals were dedicated to Prince, with all six remaining couples performing two routines each, all set to songs by the late music icon. Each pair was assigned one new dance style and one repeat style to showcase their progress.

Purple-Themed Night Tests Stars with Double Dances

Judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli scored the dances, with no guest judge at the table. The night began with an energetic opening number set to "Let's Go Crazy," choreographed by Luam Keflezgy and performed by the troupe.

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson took the top of the leaderboard with a near-perfect 59 out of 60. Their first routine, a jive to "Baby I'm a Star," wowed the judges and earned a perfect 30 out of 30. Inaba called it, "That was insane. So clean; so amazing."

Their second performance, a Viennese waltz to "WOW," received a strong 29 out of 30. Tonioli called it, "Top Gun mode [...] thrilling," while Hough praised it as "a ferocious Viennese waltz."

High Scores Wasn't Enough

Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy tied Leavitt and Ballas for second place on the leaderboard with 58 out of 60. Their first routine was an Argentine tango to "Little Red Corvette," which earned 28 out of 30 points, followed by a Viennese waltz to "Purple Rain," which received a perfect 30 out of 30 points.

Leavitt and Ballas also achieved a total of 58 out of 60. Their cha cha to "1999" scored 29 out of 30, and their Viennese waltz to "Slow Love" brought in another 29 out of 30.

Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa finished with 57 out of 60. They delivered a jive to "Raspberry Beret," earning 27 out of 30, and an Argentine tango to "U Got the Look" that brought in a perfect 30 out of 30.

Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten also earned 57 out of 60. Their foxtrot to "I Wanna Be Your Lover" scored 27 out of 30, and their paso doble to "When Doves Cry" achieved a perfect 30 out of 30.

A Crushing Blow After Record-High Performances

Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach had the lowest score of the evening with 55 points. Although they had scored a perfect routine the previous week, this time Efron slipped slightly. His tango to "I Would Die 4 U" was critiqued by Inaba, who said, "A little mess up with footwork. I don't feel you were feeling the music."

The couple earned 27 out of 30 for that performance. Their second dance, a cha cha to "Kiss," fared slightly better with a score of 28 out of 30. Hough said, "It was so impressive. You should be proud." Still, it wasn't enough to move them higher on the leaderboard.

Then came the moment that shattered the ballroom. When Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced the results — with no particular order — they declared Hendrix and Bersten, Earle and Chmerkovskiy, Irwin and Carson, and Efron and Karagach as safe.

The news that Leavitt and Ballas were out left Chiles and Sosa advancing to the finale. Despite the heartbreak, Leavitt remained gracious.

"I already feel like a winner," she said. "This show has absolutely meant the world to me. It's changed my life. I'll forever be so grateful for the friendships I've made, to have this experience, thank you so, so much."

Social Media Turns on 'DWTS'

The elimination caused instant backlash online. Fans stormed the show's Instagram page with angry comments. "There has never been a season with tbis [sic] much online bullying it's actually ridiculous and shame on DWTS for not addressing it. I'm not watching the finale," one viewer wrote.

Another viewer posted, "This show is [a] disaster... like you really took the best dancer out? REALLY???" A third asked, "How is the best dancer not in the finale???"

Some comments turned against Inaba and her judging choices. "As much as I'm not a Whitney fan, shame on Carrie Ann for removing her lift policy last week but reinforcing it again this week," one fan said. Another added, "Carrie Ann should go home next button >>>>."

Outrage Continues as Fans Call for Recount

Many expressed disbelief. "I DEMAND A RECOUNT!!!" wrote one fan. Another claimed, "In my opinion, the season is over. The REAL WINNER danced their finale." One commenter concluded, "DWTS has lost all credibility this season."

Five couples now remain in the running for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy: Chiles and Sosa, Earle and Chmerkovskiy, Efron and Karagach, Hendrix and Bersten, and Irwin and Carson.

Last week, Andy Richter and Emma Slater were eliminated during the show's 20th anniversary episode. Richter, 59, reflected on his journey, saying, "It's changed my life. I'm a different person because of this show and because of this woman right here. None of this would have happened without her. She knew how to use me."