The DWTS Semifinals Shocker: Who Was Eliminated On Dancing With The Stars Tonight Despite Their Near-Perfect Score?
The most recent elimination from *Dancing with the Stars* (DWTS) has sent shockwaves through the ballroom, proving that even a near-perfect score isn't enough to guarantee a spot in the coveted finale. The celebrity who was eliminated on the most recent live broadcast, which was the highly anticipated Semifinals of Season 34, was social media personality and reality star Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, the returning champion Mark Ballas. This exit, which occurred on the show's "Prince Night," was particularly stunning for fans and judges alike, as the couple had landed high on the leaderboard, demonstrating the unpredictable power of the viewer vote.
The Semifinals episode, which aired in late 2025, saw the remaining six couples perform two distinct routines, all set to the iconic music of Prince. Despite delivering two spectacular dances that earned them one of the highest scores of the night—a phenomenal 58 out of a possible 60 points—Whitney and Mark found themselves in the bottom and were ultimately sent home. Their elimination paved the way for the remaining five couples to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy in the grand finale.
Whitney Leavitt: Biography, Career, and DWTS Journey
Whitney Leavitt, the star at the center of this shocking elimination, brought a unique background to the competitive ballroom. Before her time on DWTS, she was already a prominent figure in media and entertainment.
- Full Name: Whitney Leavitt (née Ellis)
- Date of Birth: May 12, 1993
- Age: 32 (as of 2025)
- Place of Birth: United States
- Primary Occupation: Media Personality, Reality Television Star, Dancer, Actress
- Notable Work: Gained initial fame through her viral presence on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, where she became known as one of the original "MomTok" influencers. She also starred in the reality television series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
- Educational Background: Leavitt is not a novice to dance; she was a competitive dancer and high school cheerleader who majored in dance in college, bringing a strong technical foundation to the DWTS competition.
- DWTS Partner: Mark Ballas, a two-time Mirrorball champion who returned to the show after a long hiatus, adding immense pressure and high expectations to their partnership.
- DWTS Season: Season 34 (2025)
- Elimination Date: Semifinals (Week 10)
Her journey on *Dancing with the Stars* Season 34 was marked by a steady progression, often scoring in the middle to upper tiers of the leaderboard. Her natural dance background was both a strength and a source of scrutiny from the judges, but her partnership with Mark Ballas was widely praised for its creativity and emotional depth.
The Shocking Semifinals Performance and Scores
The Semifinals, themed "Prince Night," required the remaining six couples to perform two separate routines. The total score for the night was out of 60 points, which would be combined with viewer votes to determine who would advance to the finale.
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas delivered two of their best performances of the season, showcasing both their technical skill and partnership chemistry. This high performance level is precisely what made their subsequent elimination so unexpected.
Routine 1: The Cha-Cha-Cha
For their first dance, Whitney and Mark performed a high-energy Cha-Cha-Cha to a Prince classic. The routine was packed with intricate footwork and sharp movements, demonstrating Whitney's growth throughout the competition. The judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—were effusive in their praise, noting her improved confidence and stage presence.
Score: 29/30
Routine 2: The Viennese Waltz
Their second performance was a romantic and flowing Viennese Waltz. This routine was a testament to Mark Ballas's choreography, utilizing the entire ballroom and capturing the elegance required of the style. The emotional performance earned them a near-perfect score, with two 10s and a 9 from the judging panel, continuing their momentum.
Score: 29/30
Their combined total score of 58/60 placed them among the top couples of the night, alongside frontrunners like Robert Irwin and Witney Carson. Historically, scores this high in the Semifinals almost guarantee a spot in the Finale. However, the combination of judges' scores and the public vote proved to be their undoing, leading to the dramatic announcement that they were the couple going home.
The Final Five: Who Advanced to the DWTS Season 34 Finale
The elimination of Whitney and Mark solidified the lineup for the Season 34 Finale. The competition saw a deep field of talent, with the final five couples advancing to battle for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, a tribute to the late, legendary head judge.
The remaining couples who secured their spot through a combination of their high scores and strong viewer support were:
- Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: The undisputed frontrunners who consistently topped the leaderboard with their engaging routines and high technical scores. Their partnership was a fan favorite from the start.
- Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: Efron, the younger brother of Zac Efron, showed incredible improvement throughout the season, with Daniella's innovative choreography pushing him to new heights.
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: The Olympic gymnast brought her athletic prowess and dedication to the ballroom, proving her versatility as a performer.
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: The popular influencer and the veteran pro dancer formed a dynamic duo, consistently delivering crowd-pleasing performances.
- Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten: The actress and her partner were a dark horse of the season, showing resilience and growth, earning their place among the finalists.
The elimination of Whitney Leavitt, a couple who scored higher than several of the finalists, served as a stark reminder of the unique voting structure of DWTS, where fan support holds significant weight, especially in the later stages of the competition.
Judges' Reactions and The Power of the Fan Vote
The judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—were visibly stunned by the elimination. Their comments throughout the season often focused on Whitney's clean technique and Mark Ballas's exceptional choreography, a hallmark of his return to the show.
The Semifinals episode was hosted by the charismatic duo of Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, who had the difficult task of announcing the results. The moment underscored a recurring theme in DWTS history: the public vote can overturn even the most dominant performances. While the judges' scores provide a crucial foundation, the viewer votes determine the ultimate fate of the stars.
The Season 34 competition was one of the most closely contested in recent memory, with LSI keywords like "shocking DWTS exit" and "high score elimination" dominating social media reaction. The final broadcast of the Semifinals set the stage for one of the most unpredictable finales ever, where any of the final five couples had a real chance to claim the victory and the prestigious Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, which was ultimately won by Robert Irwin and Witney Carson. The high-scoring, yet eliminated, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas will be remembered as one of the biggest upsets of the season.
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