The DWTS Semifinals Shockwave: Why Whitney Leavitt’s Elimination Was The Most Controversial Exit Of Season 34
The question of "who was eliminated in DWTS last night" often brings a sense of routine, but the final elimination before the Season 34 finale was anything but. The high-stakes Semifinals, which aired in November 2025, delivered a shocking result that sent one of the season's most consistent performers home, sparking immediate and fierce debate among the judges, the professional dancers, and the dedicated fanbase. This elimination cemented the fact that even near-perfect scores cannot guarantee safety against the unpredictable power of the fan vote.
The star who saw her journey end just one week short of the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy was none other than social media sensation and breakout star, Whitney Leavitt, alongside her veteran professional partner, Mark Ballas. Their departure in Week 10 of *Dancing with the Stars* Season 34 was a brutal reminder of the show's format, where fan votes carry immense weight, often overriding the judges' high scores and technical praise. The controversy surrounding her exit continues to be a major talking point long after the season concluded.
Whitney Leavitt: A Full Biography and Career Profile
Whitney Leavitt’s participation in *Dancing with the Stars* Season 34 introduced her to a massive new audience, though she was already a significant media personality. Her pre-DWTS career was built primarily on her engaging and relatable content across various social media platforms.
- Full Name: Whitney Leavitt (née Ellis)
- Date of Birth: May 12, 1993
- Age at DWTS Season 34: 32
- Primary Career: American media personality, TikTok Star, Dancer, Performer, and Actress.
- Rise to Prominence: She initially gained a following on TikTok for posting engaging comedy, dance, and vlog videos, often featuring her family.
- DWTS Partner: Mark Ballas, a two-time champion professional dancer.
- DWTS Season: Season 34 (2025)
- DWTS Placement: Eliminated in Week 10 (Semifinlas), finishing in 5th place.
Leavitt was often praised by the judges for her infectious personality and noticeable improvement throughout the competition. Her partnership with Mark Ballas was a fan favorite, blending Ballas's innovative choreography with Leavitt’s natural stage presence.
The Shocking Semifinals Exit: Scores and Performances
The Semifinals episode is notoriously difficult, requiring each couple to perform two separate dances in a bid to secure a spot in the coveted finale. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas came into the night as strong contenders, having consistently placed near the top of the leaderboard in previous weeks.
For their first dance, Leavitt and Ballas performed a dynamic Cha-Cha. The routine was technically demanding and well-received by the judges, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough.
Their second performance was a stunning Viennese Waltz. This dance, known for its elegance and continuous movement, was the highlight of their night. The judges awarded them an almost-perfect score, with one of the judges giving them a perfect 10, resulting in a total score of 29 out of 30 for that routine.
Despite these outstanding scores, which placed them high on the leaderboard for the night, the combination of judges' scores and the crucial fan votes landed them in the bottom two. The other couple facing elimination was Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy.
The elimination was particularly shocking because Leavitt was performing at such a high level so late in the competition. Her combined scores for the Semifinals were among the highest of the season, yet she was still sent home. This result immediately shifted the focus from the technical dancing to the unpredictable nature of the public vote.
The Fan Uproar: Why the Elimination Caused Controversy
The core of the controversy following Leavitt’s elimination was the absence of the Judges' Save during the Semifinals. In many previous seasons, the judges—Inaba, Tonioli, and Hough—would have the power to save one of the bottom two couples, ensuring a deserving couple with high scores could advance despite a lower fan vote.
However, for the Season 34 Semifinals, the show reverted to a direct elimination based purely on the combined total of judges' scores and fan votes, a format decision that fans immediately criticized.
The Power of the Fan Vote vs. Judges' Scores
The Semifinals results highlighted the vast disparity between the judges' technical appreciation and the public's voting preferences. While Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas were demonstrating peak performance, the sheer volume of votes for other celebrity contestants—particularly those with massive, loyal social media followings like Alix Earle—proved too much to overcome.
Many viewers felt that a couple performing at a near-perfect level (a 29/30 score) should not be eliminated just before the finale, suggesting the lack of a "Judges' Save" mechanism led to an unjust result.
The sentiment online was that the competition was no longer solely about the *best* dancers, but rather the *most popular* stars who could mobilize their dedicated online communities. This debate is a recurring theme in reality dance competitions, but it reached a fever pitch with Leavitt’s exit.
The Final Five and the Road to the Finale
With Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas eliminated, the final four couples who advanced to the Season 34 finale (which took place the following week) were:
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson (The eventual winners)
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
Leavitt's departure arguably cleared the path for some of the remaining couples, but it also cast a shadow over the finale, with many fans arguing that the rightful final five had been prematurely cut down to four. Her journey, marked by consistent improvement and a surprising exit, is a definitive storyline of *Dancing with the Stars* Season 34.
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