Who Was Eliminated in the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Semifinals? Results and Recap From Week 10

Following the semifinals’ decisions, fans were furious and flooded social media with claims that the show had lost all credibility and dismissed its finest dancer.

On November 18, 2025, the “Dancing With the Stars” semifinals took an unexpected turn as spectators prepared for yet another poignant cut prior to the finale.

The majority of votes in the show’s history were Tragic Alfonso Ribeiro, the show’s co-host, began the evening by declaring a significant accomplishment: the program had ever garnered the most votes. The ballroom was alive with excitement as spectators waited to see who would advance.

All six of the surviving couples performed two routines each during the Prince-themed semifinals, which were set to songs by the late music legend. To demonstrate their development, each duo was given one new dance style and one repeat style.

Stars are tested with double dances on a purple-themed night.

There was no guest judge present, and the dances were judged by judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Derek Hough. An upbeat opening number to “Let’s Go Crazy,” choreographed by Luam Keflezgy and performed by the company, kicked off the evening.

With a nearly flawless score of 59 out of 60, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson topped the podium. They impressed the judges with their first dance, a jive to “Baby I’m a Star,” and received a flawless score of thirty out of thirty. “That was insane,” Inaba said. So spotless; so wonderful.

A Viennese waltz to “WOW,” their second performance, earned a solid 29 out of 30. As Tonioli described it, “Top Gun mode […] thrilling,” Hough lauded it as “a ferocious Viennese waltz.”

Excellent Results Not Enough

With scores of 58 out of 60, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy equaled Leavitt and Ballas for second place on the scoreboard. First, they performed an Argentine tango to “Little Red Corvette,” which scored 28 out of 30. Next, they performed a Viennese waltz to “Purple Rain,” which scored a flawless 30 out of 30.

Ballas and Leavitt both received a score of 58 out of 60. Their Viennese waltz to “Slow Love” got another 29 out of 30, and their cha cha to “1999” received just 29.

Ezra Sosa and Jordan Chiles received 57 out of 60 in the end. They performed an Argentine tango to “U Got the Look” and a jive to “Raspberry Beret,” receiving a perfect score of 30 out of 30.

Alan Bersten and Elaine Hendrix also received a score of 57 out of 60. Their paso doble to “When Doves Cry” received a flawless score of 30 out of 30, while their foxtrot to “I Wanna Be Your Lover” received 27 out of 30.

A Devastating Setback Following Record-High Achievements

With 55 points, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach got the lowest total of the night. Even though they had performed a flawless performance the week before, Efron made a small mistake this time. Inaba criticized his tango to “I Would Die 4 U” by saying, “A little mess up with footwork.” You didn’t seem to be enjoying the music.

For the performance, the duo received a score of 27 out of 30. With a score of 28 out of 30, their second dance, a cha cha to “Kiss,” performed marginally better.

“It was so impressive,” Hough remarked. You ought to be proud. However, it was insufficient to elevate them in the rankings.

The moment that rocked the ballroom then arrived. Hendrix and Bersten, Earle and Chmerkovskiy, Irwin and Carson, and Efron and Karagach were all deemed safe when Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced the results, without specifying a specific sequence.

Chiles and Sosa advanced to the final after it was announced that Leavitt and Ballas were out. Leavitt maintained his composure in the face of loss.

She remarked, “I already feel like a winner,” “For me, this show has meant the world. My life has been altered by it. Thank you so much for this experience, and I will always be very appreciative of the friendships I’ve created.”

Social Media Activates “DWTS”

The removal sparked immediate online criticism. The show’s Instagram page was inundated with irate comments from fans.

“This season has seen more online bullying than any other; it’s absurd, and DWTS should be ashamed for failing to confront it. One fan commented, “I’m not watching the finale.”

“This show is [a] disaster… like you really took the best dancer out?” wrote another fan. ACTUALLY? “How is the best dancer not in the finale???” a third person questioned.

Some remarks were critical of Inaba’s judging decisions.

“As much as I’m not a Whitney fan, shame on Carrie Ann for removing her lift policy last week but reinforcing it again this week,” a supporter commented. Another said, “Carrie Ann should go home next button >>>>.”

Fans Demand a Recount as Outrage Persists

Many were incredulous. One admirer commented, “I DEMAND A RECOUNT!!!”… “I think the season is over,” said another. The last dance was performed by the REAL WINNER. As one commenter put it, “DWTS has lost all credibility this season.”

Now, Chiles and Sosa, Earle and Chmerkovskiy, Efron and Karagach, Hendrix and Bersten, and Irwin and Carson are the five couples still vying for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Emma Slater and Andy Richter were ousted on the show’s 20th anniversary episode last week.

In retrospect, Richter, 59, said, “It’s changed my life.” Because of this show and this woman here, I’ve changed as a person. Without her, none of this would have occurred. She was skilled at using me.