Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas performing a jazz routine
By: Jewel Dickerman
This week on Dancing with the Stars, the ballroom transformed into a spooky spectacle for Halloween Night, as the nine remaining couples delivered eerie, dramatic, and sometimes chilling routines. Between haunting music, creative costumes, and one thrilling “Monster-thon” round, the evening was packed with excitement and surprises.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy kicked off the night with a sharp and powerful tango to Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend.” The pair fully embraced the haunting energy, ending their dance with a dramatic fall into a graveyard set. Judges praised their precision, intensity, and chemistry, giving them an impressive 39 out of 40.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson followed with one of the night’s most unforgettable performances — a gothic Argentine tango that told the story of a conductor bringing his partner back to life. With smoky visuals, eerie lighting, and Robert’s fierce focus, the dance captivated everyone and earned them 38 out of 40, their highest score of the season.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach danced through injury this week, with Dylan revealing he had broken his nose during rehearsal. Despite that, their Viennese waltz inspired by a vampire romance was filled with emotion and elegance. The judges admired his resilience and connection with Daniella, awarding them 35 points.
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas brought high-energy chaos to the floor with a zombie-themed jazz routine to Green Day’s “Brain Stew.” With eerie contact lenses and rock-inspired choreography, the pair delivered a thrilling performance that earned 37 out of 40 and made them standout contenders in the competition.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa performed a contemporary routine to Sia’s “Elastic Heart.” The dance featured bold lifts, aerial elements, and athletic choreography that matched the Olympic gymnast’s strength. While the judges appreciated the ambition, they wanted more emotional depth. Their score: 34 out of 40.
Andy Richter and Emma Slater leaned into the drama with a Paso Doble set to Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5.” Dressed in dark priest-inspired costumes, their performance had flair and character. The judges noted Andy’s continued improvement, though they encouraged sharper technique. They earned 28 out of 40.
Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik took a creative risk with a contemporary dance to Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” The performance had theatrical flair and strong visuals, but the judges commented that Jen’s transitions needed more polish. Despite her effort, she found herself near the bottom of the leaderboard.
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten faced an unfortunate setback this week when Elaine suffered a rib injury during rehearsals. Their planned Argentine tango to “Bad to the Bone” was shown through rehearsal footage, and while Elaine couldn’t perform live, the judges still recognized her effort and gave the pair a respectable 32 points.
The night concluded with the Dance Monster-thon, a group marathon where all the couples danced at once and judges gradually tapped pairs out until only one remained. Whitney and Mark took the crown for the Monster-thon, earning the maximum five bonus points and solidifying their place near the top of the leaderboard.
When it came time for elimination, the competition claimed Jen and Jan, who were sent home after falling short in both score and fan votes.
Halloween Night proved that Dancing with the Stars is about more than sparkle and smiles — it’s about passion, storytelling, and perseverance. From gothic romance to high-energy rock, every couple brought something unique to the dance floor, making it a night full of tricks, treats, and unforgettable performances.
