Hold onto your dance shoes—Dancing with the Stars just delivered a jaw-dropping twist that proves even a beloved fan-favorite like the team competition can't shield everyone from the chopping block on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night! If you've been tuning in for the glitz and glamour, you'll want to stick around for this episode recap that's packed with high-energy performances, surprise scores, and an elimination that left fans reeling. But here's where it gets controversial: with so much talent on display, was this week's ousting really fair, or did politics play a bigger role behind the scenes? Let's dive into the details and unpack what went down on Tuesday night, breaking it down step by step so even newcomers to the show can follow along easily.
SPOILER ALERT! This breakdown includes spoilers from the latest episode of Dancing with the Stars, right down to who got the boot.
Cue the electric guitars and flashy moves—it's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night in the ballroom, and the vibe is pure adrenaline! The remaining eight pairs have choreographed routines to iconic hits from rock legends like Bon Jovi and Elton John, with a special guest judge in the mix: none other than Public Enemy's Flava Flav, bringing his signature flair to the panel. And if that wasn't exciting enough, we get the team dance competition featuring cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough for the first time ever—think synchronized steps with live bands performing right on stage!
Let's strut into the individual dances!
Reality TV star Dylan Efron, partnered with Daniella Karagach, is tackling a lively jive to Elton John's "I'm Still Standing." Coming off solid scores from last week despite Efron's ongoing recovery from a broken nose, they're gunning for that elusive 10. Fun fact for beginners: jive is a fast-paced swing dance with bouncy kicks and spins, perfect for upbeat rock tunes. They even nod to judge Bruno Tonioli, who appeared in the song's original music video, weaving in some of his signature moves. It pays off big time—Bruno calls it "absolutely fabulous," and they snag their first 10, courtesy of Flava Flav! SCORE: 36 out of 40.
Social media sensation Alix Earle, dancing with Val Chmerkovskiy, is still buzzing from their near-perfect score last week. They're performing a fiery Paso Doble to Bon Joni's "Livin' on a Prayer." Paso Doble, for those new to the dance floor, is a dramatic Spanish-inspired style mimicking bullfighting—bold, intense, and full of power. Bon Jovi himself sends them a video message wishing luck, and wow, it was worth it! The judges rave, with Tonioli playfully warning Chmerkovskiy that Alix is "almost too hot to handle." SCORE: 39 out of 40 (Flava Flav's the only holdout with a 9).
Comedian Andy Richter, teamed up with Emma Slater, got emotional during rehearsals while prepping a contemporary routine to The Beach Boys' "God Only Knows." Contemporary dance is all about fluid, expressive movements that tell a story—think modern ballet with emotional depth. Richter admits it's a stretch for his comedic style, but he's all in for their friendship-themed performance. Judge Derek Hough thanks him for embracing the process. SCORE: 30 out of 40 (another 9 from Flava Flav—it's a wild night at the judges' table!)
Whitney Leavitt from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, with Mark Ballas, is riding high after winning last week's monster-thon, keeping them in second place. They're executing a Paso Doble to Ozzy Osbourne's "No More Tears," upping the stakes against the other top couples all doing the same style. Their electrifying routine has the audience cheering—Derek Hough gushes it's "classic, edgy, and totally metal!" Even Carrie Ann Inaba has positives, though she's not as hyped. SCORE: 39 out of 40.
Danielle Fishel, the beloved star of Boy Meets World, is with Pasha Pashkov, delivering a contemporary dance to Aerosmith's "Dream On." She's channeling more emotion as requested by the judges, though contemporary isn't her natural fit. She gives it her all, earning chills from Inaba, though Derek notes it's a bit disjointed. Still, it's a proud moment. SCORE: 34 out of 40.
Actor Elaine Hendrix, paired with Alan Bersten, is bouncing back from a rib injury that forced her to skip last week's dance. She's opting for a graceful Viennese Waltz to Dionne Warwick's "What the World Needs Now Is Love." Viennese Waltz is a smooth, rotating ballroom dance—elegant and flowing, which helps accommodate her pain (could be a strain or tear, but they're powering through). Tonioli praises it as "sumptuous," and they score their first 10 from Flava Flav! SCORE: 37 out of 40.
Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, with Ezra Sosa, is moving past last week's harness hiccup that Carrie Ann called distracting. They're jazzing up the night with a jazz routine to Ike and Tina Turner's "River Deep – Mountain High." Jazz dance blends athletic leaps, kicks, and improvisation—think Broadway energy with a rock edge. It ends with Jordan on the judges' table, crowd on feet, and Inaba shouting, "You're ballsy!" SCORE: 38 out of 40.
Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, dancing with Witney Carson, is building on two 10s from last week with a Paso Doble to The White Stripes' "Icky Thump." As the only male celebrity among the top three doing this style, he's feeling the pressure against Ballas and Chmerkovskiy. But no worries—Derek says he "owned this arena!" SCORE: 38 out of 40.
And this is the part most people miss—time for the team dance showdown! With immunity awarded to the leaderboard leaders (a tie between Leavitt/Ballas and Earle/Chmerkovskiy, based on season-high points), the teams form: Julianne Hough joins Team Kool grooving to Kool and the Gang's "Celebration," while Alfonso Ribeiro leads Team Chicago to "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago—both bands rocking live performances!
Flava Flav bombs for Team Chicago's Bond-inspired moves: "The bomb diggity, baby!" They earn a flawless 40 out of 40. Team Kool brings the swagger, though Derek admits technical tightness favors the other side. Flava Flav quips, "Team Kool was cooler than four blocks of ice cubes." Consensus? 38 out of 40.
As the competition heats up, eliminations get brutal—and this week, it's a shock no one saw coming! The show paused for ABC News election coverage, but we still got to the votes. Out go Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov, a surprise that has fans questioning: Was it her emotional depth lacking, or something else?
Next week? A special 20th anniversary bash to celebrate the show's milestone!
But here's where it gets really controversial: In a season full of standouts, was Danielle's exit justified, or does it hint at behind-the-scenes drama? Some might argue the judges' biases played a role—after all, Flava Flav's scores were all over the map. Do you think the team immunity system is fair, rewarding past wins over current performances? Or is the Paso Doble trio dominance a sign of the show's evolving favorites? Share your thoughts—agree, disagree, or drop a wild theory in the comments! What do you predict for the anniversary episode?
