Dancing With The Stars 30 Horror Night Recap: Live Blog and Videos

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Turn off the lights and light some jack-o-lanterns because it’s Horror Night on Dancing With The Stars! What better way to kick off Hallo-week than with some spooky dances?

Last week, it was a close call for Olivia and Val, but eliminated by Head Judge Len Goodman were Mel and Gleb, despite the couple scoring all 9’s for their Quickstep. This is why voting matters, y’all!!

Keep your favorite couples in the competition by voting throughout the show! Below is voting information for each contestant if you’re voting by text, or you can vote at ABC.com.

Text AMANDA to 21523
Text CODY to 21523
Text IMAN to 21523
Text JIMMIE to 21523
Text JOJO to 21523
Text KENYA to 21523
Text MELORA to 21523
Text MIZ to 21523
Text OLIVIA to 21523
Text SUNI to 21523

Is it ironic Tyra’s most decent outfit yet is on Horror Night?

The Miz & Witney – Paso Doble

What a strange song for a Paso. But this Hellraiser-themed dance was the creepiest way to open the night! I feel like not much went on during this one but The Miz did well for what it was.

Len says The Miz “nailed it” (hahaha). Derek says The Miz danced it just like Hellraiser would. Bruno welcomes us all to Hell then calls it a “Hellraising Paso.” Carrie Ann says she loved it but he should work on his intensity for next time.

Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 8, Derek- 9, Bruno- 8 = 34/40

Kenya Moore & Brandon – Argentine Tango

I was expecting much creepier for a literal spider theme! Kenya tends to not fully hit each step, resulting in a lackluster performance. It was good, but could have been much better. That lift also looked a bit strange. But you just gotta love Kenya’s joy while she’s dancing.

Derek says Kenya has an elegant demeanor and he’s always impressed by her despite a few wobbles. Bruno says she’s beautiful and deadly and can wrap him in her web anytime… Carrie Ann says Kenya has a lot of power but tends to freeze after she hits poses. Len says they spun a web hat captured the flavor of Argentine Tango.

Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 8, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 32/40

JoJo Siwa & Jenna – Jazz

Time for JoJo and Jenna to Jazz! I think we all know at this point a dance like this from JoJo is going to be great! The dynamic of Pennywise dancing with Georgie was so entertaining. JoJo’s cartwheels, and that ending! Wow!!

Bruno says it was terrifying and brilliant, and they turned a nightmare into a work of art. Carrie Ann says she loved the way JoJo pushed herself further in this dance. Len says if ever a dance captured the flavor of a book, this was it. Derek says he loved the juxtaposition between the horror theme and the song “Anything Goes.”

Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 10, Derek- 10, Bruno- 10 = 40/40

Cody Rigsby & Cheryl – Cha Cha Cha

That’s the kind of Horror Night dance I like to see! Not too elaborate, full of content and a performance that gets you movin! I think Cody still has work to do on his footwork but I would never want to tell that to that ending face!

Carrie Ann says she’s scared of Cody for all the right reasons. Len says “Hallelujah” instead of Halloween! Derek said he played a great psycho and this was his best dance. Bruno says something about chopped liver and murder and then says the dance was great?

Scores to come after the break!…

Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 9, Derek- 9, Bruno- 9 = 36/40

Jimmie Allen & Emma – Contemporary

That was beautiful. Emma is such a creative choreographer, incorporating ASL into the dance because their A Quiet Place theme. Gorgeous music, and Jimmie is truly getting better and better each week. They managed to add some creepy elements into this beautiful, emotional dance.

Len says, “I loved it!” and that it had control and held his attention. Derek comments that it’s Horror Night but everyone is getting emotional due to the power of what Jimmie created on the dance floor. Bruno says it went beyond dancing and that they captured the essence of the movie. Carrie Ann says Jimmie just understood the power of dance.

Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 9, Derek- 10, Bruno- 9 = 38/40

We interrupt the competition for a thrilling performance from Derek Hough! Join by his girlfriend Hayley Ebert, “Tango of the Dead” captured the perfect combination of horror and Derek! And that ending!! Woo!

Olivia and Val – Paso Doble

I’m really not feeling these Paso songs this year. I’ve said this before: Olivia isn’t the worst dancer there, but Val has a way of making people look better than they are. It was good choreo though, and I love Olivia’s costume.

Derek says it was a difficult routine and she did a great job. Bruno says she’s a “nasty, nasty, nasty, ballsy little girl” (k..). Carrie Ann says Olivia makes things look effortless and she stuck everything. Len says last week she was nearly dead and buried and she’s come back to life with a terrific Paso.

Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 9, Derek- 9, Bruno- 9 = 36/40

*Olivia isn’t going to get anywhere begging for votes, just sayin…

Melora Hardin & Artem – Jive

Great costumes… that’s about it. Sorry. Jive just isn’t Melora’s dance unfortunately. And Artem’s choreo? Honestly some of the worst Jive choreo I’ve seen… I hate to hate, but… that looked like a Week 1 Jive…

Bruno says all of her performances make him feel good (that is true, can’t take that away from her). Carrie Ann says she needs to give us more and it was a little safe. Len says it was a mix of quantity and quality and it was a proper Jive (??? yeah Len, we all know what you judge with…). Derek agrees with Carrie Ann, saying he wants to see her push herself more.

Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 9, Derek- 8, Bruno- 9 = 34/40

Iman Shumpert & Daniella – Contemporary

That was Iman’s best so far! Daniella just nails the unique choreo every week! Iman gets 10’s for the creep factor, that’s for sure! And for once, their insane height difference didn’t look terrible.

Carrie Ann says flails and says it was genius. Len says Daniella’s choreo made Iman look fantastic. Derek jumped up on the table and says it was a dance people will watch over and over again (agreed!). Bruno says it was a masterpiece.

Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 10, Derek- 10, Bruno- 10 = 40/40

Suni Lee & Sasha – Tango

Yessss, Suni!!! That confidence! That frame! That creepy possessed thing on the floor at the beginning! Suni is really starting to go for it now!

Len says she had good frame but her footwork was hit-or-miss. Derek says there was a disconnect between the stepping and the music and he wants to give her a 10… Bruno says tonight she had bite. Carrie Ann says there was a tiny lift apparently, but she’s proud and comments how Suni is having more and more fun each week.

Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 9, Derek- 9, Bruno- 9 = 36/40

Amanda Kloots & Alan – Argentine Tango

Okay, award for creepiest makeup of the nigh goes to Amanda… However, there was something off about this dance. Really good choreo, but the way Amanda executed it wasn’t her best, in my opinion.

Derek says it was a challenging routine and for me, it was a 10. Bruno says it was sharp and compliments the lines and footwork. Carrie Ann says she never disappoints, but she’s pushing herself with too much tension. Len says it was too sharp and lacked some Argentine feel. 

Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 9, Derek- 10, Bruno- 10 = 38/40

Safe couple are… Iman and Daniella, Olivia and Val, JoJo and Jenna, Cody and Cheryl, The Miz and Witney, Amanda and Alan, Jimmie and Emma, Melora and Artem.

Bottom 2 are Suni and Sasha and Kenya and Brandon.

Carrie Ann saves Suni and Sasha. Derek saves Suni and Sasha. Bruno saves Suni and Sasha.

Kenya and Brandon are eliminated.

Judges’ Scores

Iman- 40
JoJo- 40

Amanda- 38
Jimmie- 38

Cody- 36
Olivia- 36
Suni- 36

Melora- 34
The Miz- 34

Kenya- 32

In my opinion, it was time for Kenya to go after such an impressive performance from Iman. With so many high scores tonight, it will be interesting to see how the ret of he season plays out. Join me next Monday when the ballroom honors the music of the legendary Queen!

About Ashley Amber 84 Articles
Ashley Amber is a 29-year-old writer, author and dancer. When Ashley isn't live-blogging shows like The Voice and Dancing With The Stars for MJ's Big Blog, she works as a writer for Happy Productions and a contributor at The DIS, and previously published over 300 articles for Collider. Ashley has also authored a self-published fantasy/romance series of novelettes, and made her poetry debut in 2021's LGBTQIA+ anthology Deviant: Chronicles of Pride by InkFeathers Publishing. As a former pro ballroom dancer, when she's not writing, you can find Ashley on Youtube and TikTok where she posts dance videos featuring her own choreography and tutorials.