‘DWTS’ Recap: Alix Earle Shoots to the Top on Halloween Night
Disney/Christopher Willard Reading Time: 4 minutes
Dancing with the Stars Season 34 returned on Tuesday for Halloween Night, as the remaining couples delivered spooky dance routines for their chance to stay in the competition. Former pro Cheryl Burke joined the panel as a guest judge during the episode, which also featured a “Dance Monster-thon” segment for bonus points.
When we all fall asleep, we’ll be dreaming of Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy’s bewitching #HalloweenNight Tango! 🙌 🧟 #DWTS pic.twitter.com/gQ2aEVrBnC
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@officialdwts) October 29, 2025
Alix Earle Tops the Leaderboard on DWTS Halloween Night
Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy topped the leaderboard during Tuesday night’s show with their tango to “Bury a Friend” by Billie Eilish. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba bowed down to them, while Derek Hough praised Chmerkovskiy’s “tough love” during rehearsals.
Alix and Val earned their first 10s of the season this week. Cheryl Burke took issue with them breaking hold, awarding them a 9. Their total score for the dance was 39 out of 40. Later in the show, they came in second place during the “Dance Monster-thon,” earning four bonus points and keeping them at the top of the leaderboard with a total score of 43.
Right behind them with 42 points were Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, whose jazz routine to “Brain Stew” by Green Day earned a total score of 37 from the judges, including a 10 from Bruno Tonioli. Later, they were named the winners of the “Dance Monster-thon,” earning five bonus points.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson also impressed during Tuesday’s show with their Argentine tango to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Hampton String Quartet. Burke called Robert a “natural showman.” The couple earned a 38 out of 40, including their first 10s of the season. They also earned three bonus points during the “Dance Monster-thon,” bringing their total for the night to 41.
SEE ALSO: CHERYL BURKE PREDICTS ‘WATERWORKS’ AS SHE RETURNS TO ‘DWTS’ AS GUEST JUDGE
Wishing Elaine a speedy recovery 🫶 She has been cleared to stay in the competition if she survives elimination tonight! #DWTS #HalloweenNight pic.twitter.com/Tux6AInRUo
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@officialdwts) October 29, 2025
Elaine Hendrix Injured During Rehearsal
Tuesday night was also notable due to the absence of Elaine Hendrix, who had to go to the hospital. She explained in a social media post that she injured her ribs last week, and they “seized up” during Tuesday’s rehearsal. Doctors cleared her to continue in the competition, so fans could still vote for her and her partner Alan Bersten.
Because Elaine wasn’t in the ballroom during the live show, her last full rehearsal was shown for the judges to score. She and Alan danced an Argentine tango to “Bad to the Bone” by 2WEI & Bri Bryant. They earned a total score of 32 out of 40. Because they couldn’t participate in the “Dance Monster-thon,” they weren’t able to earn any bonus points.
Dylan Efron also sustained an injury during this week’s rehearsals, as he ended up in the hospital over the weekend with a broken nose. He was able to return and deliver a Viennese waltz to “Can’t Help Falling in Love (Dark)” by Tommee Profitt & Brooke with his partner Daniella Karagach.
Dylan and Daniella earned a score of 35 out of 40 for the routine, with Burke calling them “the most improved couple of the season.” During the “Dance Monster-thon,” they earned three bonus points, bringing their total for the night to 38.
Ooh! Look what you made Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik do! That Contemporary brought all the fierceness to #HalloweenNight! 💀❤️🔥 #DWTS pic.twitter.com/QMxbHg1977
— Dancing with the Stars #DWTS (@officialdwts) October 29, 2025
Who Was Eliminated at the End of the Night?
At the end of the night, the judges’ scores were combined with votes from viewers at home to determine which couple would be going home. The final three couples left after everyone else was declared safe were Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik, and Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten.
It was surprising to see Whitney there, since she was so close to the top of the leaderboard. However, co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough made it clear that this was not necessarily the bottom three for the night.
Perhaps even more surprising was the fact that Andy Richter and Emma Slater were declared safe. They were once again at the bottom of the leaderboard on Tuesday, earning a 28 out of 40 for their paso doble to “Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67: I. Allegro con brio” by Beethoven. They earned one bonus point in the “Dance Monster-thon,” bringing their total to 29.
Ultimately, Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik were eliminated this week. During the show, they danced a contemporary routine to “Look What You Made Me Do” by Taylor Swift, earning a score of 32 out of 40. In the “Dance Monster-thon,” they earned two bonus points, bringing their total to 34.
What do you think about Tuesday’s Halloween Night on Dancing with the Stars? Do you agree with the results? Let us know in the comments below.
