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‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 34 Semifinals Live Recap: Dances, Scores and an Elimination

It’s officially the semifinals, but which dancing duo will be eliminated before next week’s big finale?

Allie Hayes

Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli
Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli / Disney/Eric McCandless

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to recap this thing called Dancing With the Stars.

It’s officially semifinals week, and the field of stars and their pro partners has been narrowed to the final six pairs. Each dancing duo remaining has proven their stuff in the ballroom—but who will be sent home just one week before the three-hour finale? With only two episodes remaining for Season 34 of the mega-popular ABC dance competition, the race for that coveted Mirrorball Trophy is tighter than ever.

In case you missed last week’s show

Last week, the competition ramped up the stakes as they celebrated their 20th anniversary, tasking the remaining pairs with learning not one but two new routines. Further adding pressure, their first routine was a number “inspired by iconic freestyle performances from past seasons,” while their second number saw them dancing without their pro for the first time. Instead, they were paired with former stars who’d taken home the win on their respective seasons.

Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson earned the first perfect score of this season, receiving all 10s from the judges for their emotional Foxtrot set to “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis. Dylan Efron and his partner Daniella Karagach weren’t far behind, also earning a perfect score shortly after Irwin and Carson for their intense Argentine Tango set to “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers. Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy got a perfect score for their classic Foxtrot choreographed to “Singin’ in the Rain” by Matthew Morrison, as well. Finally, Whitney Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas also scored all 10s for their own incredible Argentine Tango set to “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago.

After all was said and done with the Bonus Round points tallied, Irwin and Carson, Efron and Karagach and Leavitt and Ballas were tied at the top of the leaderboard with 42 points each. Still, Earle and Chmerkovskiy weren’t far behind with 40 points overall.

Meanwhile, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, as well as Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten, found themselves in the middle of the pack. The former earned a 37/40 for their high-intensity Cha Cha set to “Get Up” by Ciara and Chamillonaire, while the latter opened the show with a spicy Salsa routine set to “It Takes Two” by Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock, earning them a 36/40. However, Chiles did earn two extra points for her Bonus Round routine, giving the dancing duo a slight edge with a final score of 39/40.

Fan favorites Andy Richter and Emma Slater found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard for the week despite their fun Quickstep choreographed to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Robbie Williams, which earned them some of their highest scores of the season. They ultimately ended the evening with 29/40 points.

You can check out our full recap of last week’s episode here!

Last week’s elimination

Once the judges’ scores and Bonus Round points were combined with millions of viewer votes, Richter and Slater were sent home.

As mentioned above, the pair were a fan favorite thanks to Richter’s persistence, positivity and earnest love of dance. The comedian celebrated his time with Slater during their exit interview and shared some love with the fans at home as the remaining stars and pros embraced him and his partner.

This week’s theme

The theme for the semifinals is “Prince Night”—see? Our reference at the beginning of this article makes sense now!—and the dancing duos will be tackling two routines. One dance will be a totally new-to-them style, while the other will be a redemption of sorts, with the stars retrying a style they’ve already attempted.

Each routine will be set to a song by iconic artist Prince, with fans in for some seriously stunning choreography inspired by classics like “1999,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Raspberry Beret” and more—all leading to the three-hour season finale next week.

ROUND 1

Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten

After a spirited opening number from the pro dancers, Hendrix and Bersten took to the floor for their repeat style: a Foxtrot set to “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” Bersten noted in behind the scene footage that he was focusing on working with Hendrix’s previous injury for their choreography this week. Meanwhile, Hendrix was excited for the theme, saying that she grew up with Prince’s music and was honored to dance to one of his earliest hits. The two then took to the ballroom in matching black ensembles for an elegant routine.

Judge Carrie Anne Inaba said Hendrix deserved to be in the semifinals, but wanted to see her “push more” for a score of 9. Derek Hough noted that the number was “truly incredible,” but seconded Inaba’s sentiments for another 9. Bruno Tonioli finished up judging by adding that he loved the routine and feels Hendrix is a “great performer,” giving the duo another 9 for a total score of 27/30 for their first number.

Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy

Next up, Earle and Chmerkovskiy took on their first routine of the night, which was their new style: an Argentine Tango set to “Little Red Corvette.” The content creator said that she didn’t want her previous perfect score to intimidate her, hoping to channel Prince’s authenticity in their number. Chmerkovskiy warned that this particular dance style—which again, the two haven’t done before!—“lives and breathes passion,” pushing Earle to go further than she has previously in the competition.

Hough was a bit of a trickster, saying that “he didn’t like it...he loved it!” earning the two a perfect 10. Tonioli agreed with Hough, calling the dance “top notch” and saying Earl was “the most improved” for a 9. Inaba shared their sentiments, but gave Earle a note about her shoulder movements to keep in mind for their second number, giving the duo another 9 for a total score of 28/30 for their first number.

Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas

Leavitt and Ballas then stepped up for their first round dance, which was their repeat style for the evening: a Cha Cha set to “1999.” During her behind the scenes segment, Leavitt revealed that she “didn’t think she’d make it this far” in the competition and worried she was “too stiff” with this particular style. She also praised her fellow competitors, saying she felt this routine needed to be “perfect” to match their great work.

Tonioli called the choreography “sassy” and said that “everything you want from a Cha Cha was there,” giving them a perfect 10. Inaba was lukewarm, saying she felt Leavitt was focusing too hard on the technique, but thought it was “well-delivered” for a 9. Hough disagreed, joking that Inaba was “out of her mind,” giving the duo another 10 for a total score of 29/30 for their first number.

Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach

Efron and Karagach were up next, taking on their new style for the first round: a Tango set to “I Would Die 4 U.” Efron said he wanted to channel Prince’s one-of-a-kind stage presence for the number, hoping to live up to his perfect score the week prior. Karagach warned the content creator about notes they’d received in the past regarding his hips before they hit the ballroom floor in sparkling ensembles (also, his brother, actor Zac Efron, was in the crowd to cheer him on!).

Inaba loved his leading man attitude, but felt he didn’t “feel the music” enough for a score of 9. Hough loved Efron’s “strong frame” and praised his improvement over the season, giving him a note on his heels for another 9. Tonioli wrapped up judging by saying he was “beautifully under control,” giving the duo a third 9 for a total score of 27/30 for their first number.

Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa

Chiles and Sosa tackled their repeat style first: a Jive routine set to “Raspberry Beret.” In her behind the scenes segment, the gymnast compared making it to the semifinals to making it to the Olympics. She also reminisced about a routine she performed while at UCLA, which was also choreographed to Prince’s music, creating a full-circle moment. Overall, the dancing duo was committed to trying their best to get their first perfect score of the season.

Hough called the dance “funky fun,” but wanted “more bite” in the choreography, earning them a 9. Tonioli agreed with Hough, pointing out a moment where the athlete slipped for a score of 9. Inaba loved the routine most, but agreed with her fellow judges, giving the duo another 9 for a total score of 27/30 for their first number.

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson

Last up for the first round were Irwin and Carson, who took to the ballroom with their repeat style: another Jive routine, this time set to “Baby I’m a Star.” Despite his age, Irwin revealed that he loved Prince and related to his passion. Carson said she wanted to put “more content” into their choreography to show the judges just how far Irwin had come from the first episode. Meanwhile, Irwin joked that they would simply need the routine to be “perfection.”

Tonioli said Irwin “never put a foot wrong” and called the choreography “superstar” work, earning them a 10. Inaba agreed, calling the routine “amazing, amazing, amazing!” for another 10. Hough closed judging for the first round by applauding the duo a gushing over the choreography, giving the duo a third 10 for a total score of 30/30 for their first number.

ROUND 2

Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten

Hendrix and Bersten returned to the ballroom at the top of the hour for round two, where they took on their new style: a Paso Doble set to “When Dove Cry.” In her behind the scenes segment, Hendrix was emotional while talking about what it’s been like to open up to the world as herself, rather than a character, on the show. They then took to the hardwood in matching velvet outfits for a spectacular routine that brought the audience to their feet.

Inaba physically left the judging panel to hug Hendrix, calling the routine “amazing” before literally bowing to the actress and giving them a score of 10. Hough said the routine was a “classic Paso Doble” and that Hendrix “brought the fight,” earning them a 10. Tonioli seconded his fellow judges’ critiques, applauding the choreography and giving the duo a 10 for a total score of 30/30 for their second number—and her first perfect score of the season. Adding the two rounds together, their final score for the night was 57/60.

Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy

Earle and Chmerkovskiy were back for another spin around the ballroom, taking on their repeat style for the week: a Viennese Waltz set to “Purple Rain.” The duo discussed how emotional the song was, which caused Earle to become emotional while thinking about how the show was ending. She opened up about how much she loved dancing and challenging herself, and how much she’d miss doing it every day. Then, they strutted their stuff on the hardwood, bathed in purple light for the number.

Hough said he had “no doubt” that they’d see Earl in the final, giving the pair a 10. Tonioli agreed, loving their connection, earning them a second 10. Inaba felt the same, saying that a “performance like this is going to go down in history, giving the duo a 10 for a total score of 30/30 for their second number. Adding the two rounds together, their final score for the night was 58/60.

Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach

Efron and Karagach went next, tackling their repeat style: a Cha Cha set to “Kiss.” Efron was excited to retry the dance, as he felt he’d “gotten close” on a few Latin-style dances in the past, but hadn’t quite gotten there yet. The duo then entered the ballroom with sass and style in matching red ensembles for the last routine of the evening.

Tonioli called Efron “a sexy beast” and praised the “difference in his hip action” before complimenting Karagach on their choreography for a 10. Inaba applauded the number but also gave Efron a note to improve on for the finale, earning them a 9. Hough said that the pair “should be proud” of how far they’ve come, giving the duo another 9 for a total score of 28/30 for their second number. Adding the two rounds together, their final score for the night was 55/60.

Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas

Leavitt and Ballas returned to the ballroom for round two to take on the new style: a Viennese Waltz set to “Slow Love.” Leavitt opened up about how much the experience has meant to her, feeling like she “blossomed” over the course of the show. She and Ballas embraced as she said the last few weeks had “changed her life.” The pair then made their way onto the dance floor one last time, wearing vibrant blue outfits.

Inaba said that of all of Leavitt’s performances, this was her favorite, but she did also give her a quick note on her footwork for a 9. Hough seconded Inaba’s sentiments, admiring her passion for dance, earning them a perfect 10. Tonioli complimented her “quality of movement,” giving the duo another 10 for a total score of 29/30 for their second number. Adding the two rounds together, their final score for the night was 58/60.

Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa

Chiles and Sosa were the penultimate couple for round two, taking on their new style: an Argentine Tango set to “U Got the Look.” Chiles called it a “make or break moment,” telling Sosa he could “tear her apart” if that’s what it took for her to succeed. Sosa noted that the footwork was going to be the hardest part for them, and the behind the scenes footage showed the pair struggling to get the dance down—but when it mattered most, they dominated the hardwood floor, killing their live routine.

Hough said that it was a “top performance,” adding that he loved the lines for a perfect 10. Tonioli praised Chiles’s focus, calling her the “leading lady of dance” for another 10. Inaba said Chiles was “in a class of her own,” giving the duo a third 10 for a total score of 30/30 for their second number—and Chiles’s first perfect score of the season. Adding the two rounds together, their final score for the night was 57/60.

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson

Irwin and Carson closed the show with their new style for the night: a Viennese Waltz set to “Wow.” Irwin was excited to take on the routine, but admitted it was “weird” to be so passionate in the choreography, as it wasn’t his and Carson’s natural dynamic. Still, you’d never know that watching their number live, as the duo did an incredible job in Prince-appropriate purple.

Tonioli said the dance was “thrilling,” joking that he “wanted to see the sequel,” earning them a perfect 10. Inaba loved the change-up from Irwin, complimenting his “evolution” for another 10. Hough finished up judging for the evening, saying the dance was “ferocious,” giving the duo a 9 for a total score of 29/30 for their second number. Adding the two rounds together, their final score for the night was 59/60.

Who was eliminated?

After the judges’ scores from both rounds were combined with a record number of votes coming in from viewers at home, Leavitt and Ballas were eliminated.

Leavitt said she “already felt like a winner” during her final interview, and thanked the viewers at home for their votes and her fellow stars on the show for their support. The program ended with the rest of the cast embracing Leavitt and Ballas as they said their goodbyes.

Next week is the three-hour season finale, where a winner will officially be crowned. The episode will air on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 8 p.m. ET, and we’ll be back here to recap everything live for you one last time! You can watch new episodes of DWTS Season 34 every Tuesday night on ABC and Disney+. New episodes stream on Hulu the next day.

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Allie Hayes
ALLIE HAYES

Allie Hayes is an experienced pop culture staff writer and editor specializing in movies, TV and celebrity news. Before joining the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit team as a Breaking/Trending News Editor, she worked at several outlets including BuzzFeed, The Daily Dot, and Newsweek. When she’s not writing for work (or writing for fun), you’ll find her curled up on the couch reading yet another romance novel, obsessively watching pro wrestling with her friends, or taking blurry photos of her two adorable cats.

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