‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 34 Episode 6 Live Recap: Dances, Scores and an Elimination

The cast will certainly try defying gravity for ‘Wicked Night’—but who will defy elimination?

Allie Hayes | 10 Hours Ago

CARRIE ANN INABA, DEREK HOUGH, JON M. CHU, BRUNO TONIOLI / Disney/Eric McCandless

Happy Tuesday, fellow Dancing With the Stars fans—it’s officially our favorite day of the week again!

After an emotionally-charged theme last week, the 10 remaining duos are returning with a little Broadway magic in store—and if you care to find them...maybe look to the Western sky?

In case you missed last week’s show

The stars and their pro partners tugged at our heartstrings last Tuesday during “Dedication Night,” where the dancing duos crafted routines dedicated to a specific person in their life. Former DWTS pro Kym Johnson was also a guest judge on the panel, taking the highest possible perfect score from the usual 30 points to 40 points.

Dylan Efron and Danielle Karagach earned the top spot on the leaderboard after performing a moving Contemporary routine choreographed to “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman, which was originally performed by his brother Zac Efron in the film. Efron dedicated the dance to their little sister Olivia, and their routine was awarded an impressive 36/40 from the judges—the highest score of the night, and of the entire season so far.

First-ever SI Swimsuit digital cover model Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy tied for second place on the leaderboard alongside Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson, with both couples earning a 35/40. 2025 SI Swimsuit cover model Jordan Chiles and her partner Ezra Sosa also did very well, dancing a beautiful Viennese Waltz—which she dedicated to her father—and scoring a 32/40, with the judges calling the touching routine “profound.”

Unfortunately, Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slate found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard, with the fan-favorite comedian’s sweet Salsa routine earning the pair a total score of 24/40.

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

Last week’s elimination

After an evening filled with emotion, the cast prepared for the traditional elimination portion of the program; however, both the cast and the audience watching at home received some surprising news instead: NO ONE WAS ELIMINATED.

That means all 10 of the remaining pairs who competed last week will be returning this week for another spin around the ballroom, and another chance to impress the judges and earn fan votes to stay in the competition.

This week’s theme

Tonight is “Wicked Night,” and the evening will be dedicated to celebrating the sights and sounds of the beloved Broadway show, as well as the upcoming sequel to the Academy Award-nominated 2024 film adaptation. Each couple will tackle a different song from the musical and will be tasked with incorporating the overall vibe of the Tony Award-winning work into a traditional ballroom routine.

To add to the glamour (and the already high stakes) of the evening, Jon M. Chu—the director behind both Wicked film adaptations—will be on the panel this week as a guest judge, once again taking the highest possible perfect score from the usual 30 points to 40 points.

Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold

Hoying and Arnold kicked off the show with a high-energy Contemporary routine set to “The Wizard and I.” Hoying shared that the musical is one of his favorites, joking that this week’s theme would be like “If [Jordan] Chiles learned there was a gymnastics week.” Arnold noted that her choreography would be focused on the judges’ notes regarding Hoying “taking up more space.” The two then took to the hardwood in costumes themed around the magical green girlie herself, Elphaba.

Guest judge Jon M. Chu proclaimed this to be “the best season of DWTS ever,” applauding the duo and giving them a 7. Bruno Tonioli was excited to see Hoying “let loose,” also scoring the routine a 7. Carrie Ann Inaba loved the number as a start to the show, giving the pair another 7. Derek Hough finished up judging, noting Hoying needed to think of the routine as a single fluid movement, as opposed to separate dance moves for better flow, rating the dance a 7 for a total score this week of 28/40; however, since no one was eliminated last episode, this week and last week’s scores were added together, giving the duo a total two week score of 58/80.

Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy

Tackling a super fun Jazz routine choreographed to “What Is This Feeling?” Earle took on the role of Glinda in the number, with Chmerkovskiy embodying Elphaba. As the preroll footage concluded, Earle revealed that this week was her “favorite dance yet, ”and, as the two took to the floor, it immediately became clear why she felt that way!

Tonioli called the routine “delicious,” complimenting Chmerkovskiy’s choreography and giving them a 9. Inaba christened the routine Earle’s “best dance yet,” also rating the pair a 9. Hough agreed with his fellow judges, also giving the dancing duo another 9. Chu shared their sentiments, commending the pair for their storytelling and giving them an 8, resulting in a total score this week of 35/40 and a total two-week score of 70/80.

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson

Irwin sought to embody the fiery Prince Fiyero via a Jazz routine set to “Dancing Through Life.” Irwin also revealed he’s a massive fan of the original Broadway musical and that his birthday party last year involved renting a theater to watch the film when it was released. Carson noted she was focused on returning them to the top of the leaderboard this week, pulling out all the stops for their “most ambitious dance yet.”

Inaba joked that the chosen song should be Irwin’s new “theme song” and applauded Carson’s ambitious choreography, rating them a 9. Hough said Irwin should “change out his hiking boots for Broadway shoes,” giving the pair a 9. Chu also loved the piece and Irwin’s range, scoring the routine a 9. Tonioli noted that he was pleased with Irwin’s commitment to the performance, giving them a fourth 9 for a total score of 36/40 for this week and a total two-week score of 71/80.

Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas

Leavitt took on an incredibly fast-moving Quickstep choreographed to the impossibly catchy tune “Popular.” In the preroll footage, Leavitt took the judges’ notes from the previous week to heart, saying she hoped to be more “present” than before. Ballas sought to make the dance as clean as possible, worrying about the speed and intricacy of his choreography. The two then took to the ballroom floor wearing matching bubblegum pink ensembles—and they even used real props from the actual film!

Hough said he felt like they were “discovering a star before their eyes” in Leavitt, complimenting Ballas’s advanced choreography for a score of 9. Chu said he “got lost” in the dance and almost “forgot he was judging,” giving the number a perfect 10. Tonioli also loved the routine, giving the pair another 10. Inaba shared the same sentiments as her fellow judges, joking that the dance was “unhinged in all the right ways,” giving the pair a third 10 for a total score this week of 39/40—as well as the first 10s of the season—and a total two-week score of 72/80.

Dylan Efron and Danielle Karagach

Next up, Efron slowed things down with a sensual Rumba set to “I’m Not That Girl.” In the preroll footage, Efron revealed he was worried about taking on another Latin routine, as his last Latin routine didn’t go as well as his other dances. The duo then made their way onto the ballroom floor in matching blue ensembles that channeled the overall aesthetics of the film.

Chu was happy to see how connected Efron was to his partner, earning the duo an 8 from the director. Tonioli commented on Efron’s excellent lines and hip movements, but noted that he lost control of the fluidity at times, also rating the dance an 8. Inaba was enthusiastic about Efron’s growth, but agreed with Tonioli’s notes for a score of 8. Hough applauded Karagach’s choreography, joking that she “is that girl,” giving the duo another 8 for a total score this week of 32/40 and a total two-week score of 68/80.

Andy Richter and Emma Slate

Taking to the hardwood with a perfectly peppy Jazz routine choreographed to “One Short Day,” Richter and Slate sought to add some points to their score from the previous week. In the preroll footage, the comedian opened up about how much being on the show has meant to him and how much it has improved his overall mindset regarding aging. Slate noted that she wanted to lean into Richter’s showmanship for the routine, as personality is an important part of Jazz.

Tonioli was enthusiastic about the number and Richter’s timing, rating the pair a 7. Inaba also loved their energy, complimenting Slate’s choreography for a score of 7. Hough called the dance “fantastic,” giving the pair a 6. Chu said he “loved watching [Richter] every week” and added that, like Richter, Wicked is all about “being the underdog,” giving them a third 7 for a total score this week of 27/40 and a total two-week score of 51/80.

Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten

Hendrix had a challenge ahead of her this week, as she was set to take on a Contemporary routine choreographed to perhaps the most iconic song from the entire musical: “Defying Gravity.” In the preroll footage, Hendrix and Bersten opened up about their scores from the previous week, as they were confused by what they felt were lower scores from the judges despite positive comments. Hendrix also opened up about her injury, which affects the range of movement in her foot. Bersten said he wanted to use the choreography to help Hendrix feel “like Elphaba did” and know that she can “trust herself.”

Inaba was in tears after the routine, saying she was “so proud” of Hendrix and rating the dance a 9. Hough applauded Hendrix as well, noting she moved with “grace and wisdom” for a score of 9. Chu also loved the routine, rating the duo a 9. Tonioli said they “killed it,” giving the pair a fourth 9 for a total score this week of 36/40 and a total two-week score of 66/80.

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik

Affleck tackled a fantastical Foxtrot set to “As Long As You’re Mine.” She opened up behind the scenes about how much she related to Elphaba while growing up, hoping to channel that energy into her number. Ravnik also sought to challenge his partner with the choreography this week, as Affleck requested they try a “harder” routine. The two then took to the ballroom floor in full costume, performing a timeless routine that was equal parts romantic and dreamy.

Hough loved how connected Affleck was to the dance, but warned her about wanting “harder” routines for a score of 8. Chu cheered on Affleck’s commitment to “challenging” herself, also rating the routine an 8. Tonioli said that Affleck was “getting there” when it came to her movement and continuity, earning them another 8. Inaba also commended the pair and Ravnik’s choreography overall, giving the duo a fourth 8 for a total score this week of 32/40 and a total two-week score of 61/80.

Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov

A moody Argentine Tango choreographed to “No Good Deed” was the penultimate number of the evening, with Fishel seeking to earn better feedback than she had last week. Pashkov noted that he wanted to tap into a side of Fishel that they hadn’t seen yet, leaving behind her bubbly attitude for an appropriately wicked vibe, with the duo donning matching all-black looks for their spin around the ballroom.

All four judges gave the routine a standing ovation. Chu teased that the song was one of his favorite moments from the upcoming movie, giving the number a 9. Tonioli called Fishel a “sexy mama” and also rated the dance a 9. Inaba said that tonight was Fishel’s “breakthrough” moment, earning the pair another 9. Hough was struck by the difficulty of Pashkov’s choreography, calling the dance “magnificent” and giving them a fourth 9 for a total score this week of 36/40 and a total two-week score of 65/80.

Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa

Chiles tackled the final dance of the evening: a powerful Rumba set to the heartbreaking track “For Good.” Chiles wanted to up the stakes for the night to impress the judges, as she and Sosa were concerned that their scores had settled in the same zone over the last couple of weeks. The two then took to the ballroom floor, with Sosa taking on the role of Glinda while Chiles embodied Elphaba in a stunning, semi-sheer, all-black look.

Tonioli called the number “wickedly good,” rating the performance a perfect 10. Inaba said she “didn’t want the night to end” and called the routine “perfection” for a second 10. Hough was also impressed by the choreography, earning them a strong 9. Chu finished up the night’s judging, complimenting Chiles’s drive and dedication to the show, giving the pair a third 10 for a total score this week of 39/40 and a total two-week score of 71/80—putting them only one point behind Leavitt and Ballas for the top spot on the leaderboard.

Who was eliminated?

After the judges’ scores were combined with the millions of fan votes coming in from viewers watching at home, Hoying and Arnold were sent home.

During the final interview, Hoying said that Arnold was “his favorite person ever” and joked that being eliminated on “Wicked Night” was “the perfect way to go.” The two were then embraced by the rest of the cast for their final goodbyes as the show went off the air.

Next week, the theme is (fittingly) “Halloween Night.” The episode will air ahead of the holiday on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. ET, and we’ll be back here to recap everything live for you! 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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Published 10 Hours Ago|Modified Oct 21, 2025

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.