By: Jewel Dickerman
The ballroom glowed emerald green on Tuesday night as Dancing with the Stars transformed into Oz for “Wicked Night.” Each performance was inspired by songs from the hit musical, creating an evening full of fantasy, drama, and heartfelt emotion.
The show opened with Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy dancing a playful jazz routine to “What Is This Feeling?” Their fun chemistry and charm impressed the audience, though the judges encouraged Alix to dig deeper into the character’s attitude.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson followed with a lighthearted jazz number to “Dancing Through Life.” Their routine was full of energy and smiles, earning praise for Robert’s growing confidence and natural performance ability.
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas wowed the ballroom with a quickstep to “Popular.” Whitney’s footwork was crisp, her timing sharp, and her personality shone throughout the performance. The judges rewarded them with one of the first perfect scores of the season, solidifying their place among the top contenders.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach took a more emotional turn with their rumba to “I’m Not That Girl.” The dance was filled with control and sincerity, though the judges urged Dylan to connect more with the movement.
Comedian Andy Richter and Emma Slater performed a jazz routine to “One Short Day.” While the performance was full of enthusiasm, some missteps kept their score lower. Still, Andy’s joy on the dance floor kept everyone smiling.
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten brought elegance with their contemporary piece to “Defying Gravity.” Their dance was powerful and emotional, earning strong scores and recognition for their chemistry and storytelling.
Jen Affleck and Jan Korzec performed a foxtrot to “As Long As You’re Mine,” gliding across the floor with grace and precision. The judges appreciated their poise and control, though they advised her to loosen up just a bit.
Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov heated up the floor with an Argentine tango to “No Good Deed.” Their sharp lines and intensity drew loud cheers, and the judges called it one of their best performances yet.
The highlight of the night came from Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, who performed a stunning rumba to “For Good.” The emotional storytelling and fluid movement earned them perfect 10s across the board, tying them for the top spot of the evening.
Unfortunately, the night ended on a bittersweet note as Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold were eliminated after their emotional contemporary dance to “The Wizard and I.” Their graceful farewell left both the judges and audience touched.
With “Wicked Night” complete, the competition has reached a turning point. The remaining couples know that every dance counts — and as the mirrorball trophy draws closer, the magic in the ballroom is only growing stronger.
