Dancing With The Stars 34 Recap: 2025 Disney Night Week 4 Live Blog
Good evening all :)
Welcome to week four of season thirty-four of Dancing with the Stars. Tonight, it’s the most magical night of dance all season. The night when ABC forces our favorite reality show to be one huge advertisement for parent company Disney. This season, the program is celebrating the seventieth anniversary of Disneyland. After the dancing concludes, the carriage turns back into a pumpkin and another pair will be eliminated.
Last week, we had the first shock boot of the season as Lauren Jauregui and partner Brandon were given the boot. Whether it was the judges grading inferior dancers on a curve or viewers thinking Lauren would be safe, her elimination should be a wake up call. It was more than likely a combination of things but it will be very interesting to see how the judges handle tonight’s scores.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra and Whitney Leavitt and Mark were top scorers for the week. And Andy Richter and Emma once again landed at the bottom. Many other couples are very close in score and we will see if any could break away from the pack.
Danny Gardner, who stars as Lumière on the North American tour of Beauty And The Beast will make a guest appearance.
Your votes will be combined with the judges scores to determine which couple will have danced for the last time. Remember, VOTING begins at the top of the show and concludes after the final dance of the evening.
We start with a routine to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty And The Beast featuring our pros and troupe members and of course, Lumiere. It’s a complete Disney fest with Mickey, Minney, and Goofy included. The routine was choreographed by Mandy Moore. Once again, viewers topped their voting total from last week. That didn’t help Lauren, did it?
Of course, we get super long rehearsal packages this week because ABC needs to show off the Disneyland park and rides. YAY for shameless promotion!
Dylan Efron & Daniella – Quickstep
Dylan is one of those celebrities you just want to root for. He’s so happy and eager to learn and it shows in his dancing. He still needs to work on refining some things and he can look occasionally sloppy when doing some steps but overall, he had the frame down well and he and Daniella were nicely gliding around the dance floor. It was a proper quickstep with good performance quality.
Derek calls Dylan the quickstep king. He wants him to be sharper with his head as that will take him to the next level. Bruno says Dylan is working on everything they say. He compliments the footwork. Carrie Ann is engaged when watching Dylan dance. She notices that he is understanding the movements and that will take him far.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 23/30
VOTE for Dylan & Daniella at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting DYLAN to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Danielle Fishel & Pasha – Quickstep
That was a lot of fun to watch! A definite step up from last week for Danielle. I really appreciate how Pasha combined the theme into the dance. It didn’t overpower and gave the whole thing a memorable vibe. Good footwork and posture out of Danielle and a really solid performance too. Definitely her strongest routine of the competition thus far.
Bruno says it was very appropriate. He says most of the quickstep was good except a little moment when she went off time. Carrie was so impressed by the body contact in the first half. She says it felt like being at Disney. Derek loves Danielle’s personality. He tells her the quickstep was fantastic but the Lindy Hop was a bit out of sync and the energy dipped.
I didn’t see the mistake to be honest, though of course it was a bit more eveident on the slow motion replay. It was covered well during the dance itself.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 7, Bruno- 7 = 21/30
VOTE for Danielle & Pasha at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting Danielle to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Scott Hoying & Rylee – Salsa
This is the first time I felt Scott’s height was a real disadvantage in a dance. He came off a bit awkward trying to look natural doing those salsa steps. I also saw some messy moments that could have used refining and more practice. He was very spirited and that’s a plus but it didn’t feel like an organic salsa routine and was probably his weakest overall dance for me.
Carrie Ann saw that his confidence kicked in. She says the underarm turns were not so good. Derek calls them fantastic. He compliments everything. Bruno loves the showmanship and the content. He says Scott got a bit tangled for a moment or two but saw the effort.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 7, Bruno- 7 = 21/30
VOTE for Scott & Rylee at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting SCOTT to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
The troupe is out to perform a routine showcasing the new movie Tron Ares.
Alix Earle & Val – Viennese Waltz
A very well dances viennese waltz. The performance quality of that was top notch- so dramatic and a little bit dangerous and sexy. Loved the posture and the rise and fall and the styling of the routine with the lighting and costumes was really aces. It all came together very nicely here from start to finish.
Derek calls it mesmerizing and magical. He loved when Alix was dancing solo at the top. He feels this was her best dance. Bruno calls it haunting. He felt every movement had a real intention and it was storytelling. Carrie Ann claims Alix is on a roll. She loves seeing the artistry coming out.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 24/30
VOTE for Alix & Val at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting ALIX to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb – Quickstep
That was a solid quickstep with a lot of content. I don’t know why but Hilaria’s dances never seem to excite me. She does everything well but there’s something amiss. I don’t know if it is the performance side of it or whether she just seems too polished from previous dance experience but it almost feels all too practiced and calculated. But the dancing is really good and she continues to show she has the skills.
Bruno says the force is still with her. He says he watched very closely and didn’t see anything wrong. Carrie Ann says she saw dancing and Hilaria didn’t need to prove anything tonight or feel pressure. Derek wanted some more quickstep in the dance. He says it was good but the potential is there for more. I understand and agree with Derek. Hilaria needs to find that next level thing.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 7, Bruno- 8 = 23/30
VOTE for Hilaria & Gleb at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting HILARIA to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Andy Richter & Emma – Viennese Waltz
Oh boy. I am really eager to see how the judges will score this. It was about what we have come to expect from Andy. A dose of humor to cover up some not very good dancing. Look, I get it. Andy is never going to be on the level of the others. He just isn’t a natural dancer and that’s not going to change. He tries very hard and I can compliment his joy and love of the dance. But we really need to start calling a spade a spade here and grading and critiquing him properly.
Carrie Ann says Andy produces memorable moments. Carrie Ann seems some transformation but wants to see more content. Derek says Andy proves anyone can dance. He seems Andy filling the space but does want better frame. Bruno agrees with the other judges on Andy.
Carrie Ann- 6, Derek- 6, Bruno- 6 = 18/30
VOTE for Andy & Emma at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting ANDY to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Now that score for Andy is more like it. I was nervous they would just give him all 7’s. I would have given him a five to be honest but then again, I would have scored him lower each week up until this point. Will his fans be able to vote hard enough to overcome that 18 tonight? We shall see.
Robert Irwin & Witney – Cha-Cha-Cha
What an odd choice of song for a cha-cha-cha. It resulted in the dance being on the slower side as compared to what we usually see. Now, Robert is excellent and he and Witney really are a stellar pair. Everything he is tasked to do, he does well. And Witney is always sure to be content heavy which is important since Robert is a frontrunner. I am just perplexed by that song.
Derek says Robert has the “Irwin aura.” He loves the upper half but feels his arms are a little odd sometimes. He also notes he wants more extension with his legs. Bruno saw that it was clear and clean. He saw a different side to Robert. Carrie Ann wants more fluidity through the movements.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 7, Bruno- 8 = 22/30
VOTE for Robert & Witney at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting ROBERT to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Not to beat a dead horse but that’s why I would have given Andy a five. There’s no way that Andy’s routine gets a six and what Robert just did gets a seven. It just doesn’t compute.
Elaine Hendrix & Alan – Quickstep
Alan as an alien might be the most amazing thing all night! He looks ridiculously hysterical. I just adore Elaine and look forward to watching her every single week. She is so good at making a dance memorable. Her performance quality and musicality is really top notch. And this week, the technical side of the dance was really solid too. That quickstep had some really fast moments in the middle and Elaine kept up admirably. A really fun number.
Bruno says it was so fast and Elaine had no errors. He calls it wonderful. Carrie Ann says Elaine is redefining what it means to be a mature and refined woman dancing. Derek is so impressed. He notes it was quite complicated.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 24/30
VOTE for Elaine & Alan at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting ELAINE to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Whitney Leavitt & Mark – Foxtrot
I joke and can be snarky but seeing Whitney’s kids smiling hard at Disney is really special. That routine was in a word…stellar. Who would have thought a song from Hamilton that has rap could work for a dance on this show? Mark is an outstanding choreographer. Whitney was so on point here. My only gripe- a little more foxtrot content would have been nice. But come on, a really, really good routine.
Carrie Ann says her lip was quivering watching that. She thought it was incredible. Derek wants them on Broadway stat. He loved the texture of the dance and how Whitney filled the space. Bruno says it was worthy of Broadway. He says she should be proud.
Carrie Ann- 9, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 25/30
VOTE for Whitney & Mark at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting WHITNEY to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Jordan Chiles & Ezra – Quickstep
Jordan is the definition of strength. You see it in her posture and how she glides around the ballroom. So in control and her movements so precise. I thought Ezra let her down just a tad with the choreography here. He could have done a bit more to make the routine exciting and Jordan can handle it. But in terms of the dance quality…just fabulous.
Derek hopes Jordan feels like a princess. He felt it was sharp and charming. Bruno calls it vivacious and elegant. Carrie Ann says that dance is why people love Disney night. She calls Jordan’s dancing authentic.
Carrie Ann- 8, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 24/30
VOTE for Jordan & Ezra at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting JORDAN to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
The troupe returns to perform to “The Tiki Tiki Room” from another Disneyland attraction.
NEWS– Dancing With The Stars is going on tour this Winter. Mandy Moore will choreograph the show and you can see all your favorite pros and stars! Tickets will go on sale very soon.
Jen Affleck & Jan – Jazz
Now, that is more in the realm of jazz that I like to see. Some really great choreography there by Jan and he looks amazing as the genie. Jen was so in character and you could tell she was having a blast in this. And I was having a blast watching. A really perfect combination of dance and performance to end and honor Disney night.
Bruno loved how well put together it was. Carrie Ann says Jen was living the Disney dream. But something about it she didn’t find exciting. She might want some more of a challenge. The audience is booing loudly. Derek says everyone tonight has been fantastic and he says it was a great way to end the night. I have no idea what crept up Carrie Ann’s booty just now.
Carrie Ann- 7, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 23/30
VOTE for Jen & Jan at dwtsvote.abc.com and/or via texting JEN to 21523. Note- only US residents can vote using text method.
Judges Scores For Week 4 (Out Of 30)
Whitney & Mark – 25
Alix & Val – 24
Elaine & Alan – 24
Jordan & Ezra – 24
Dylan & Daniella – 23
Hilaria & Gleb – 23
Jen & Jan – 23
Robert & Witney – 22
Danielle & Pasha – 21
Scott & Rylee – 21
Andy & Emma – 18
ELIMINATION TIME!
As week four comes to an end, we have results and an elimination. We surpassed 40 million votes tonight! Here we go…
The couples who are safe are– Jen & Jan, Jordan & Ezra, Dylan & Daniella, Elaine & Alan, Whitney & Mark, Robert & Witney, Scott & Rylee, Alix & Val, Danielle & Pasha, and Andy & Emma.
Eliminated tonight are Hilaria & Gleb.
I just don’t think Hilaria ever connected with the audience. She came on the show with a lot of baggage. Some folks just do not like her very much and for whatever reason, she wasn’t able to change that narrative on the show. She had dance experience and was solid but it wasn’t enough. Andy once again escapes elimination even though he remains the show’s weakest dancer. But as we all know, it isn’t only about the dancing.
Next week is dedication night. Each star will bring someone special to complete their routines. Are we getting Zac next week to join his brother Dylan? It promises to be a night of emotional routines and heartfelt strories. Plus, former pro Kym Herjavec will be on hand as a guest judge. It all goes down live in a week’s time. I hope to see you all then and thanks for joining me tonight. Now go buy some tickets to Disneyland. I kid. :)