The Shocking Truth: Who Was Voted Off Dancing With The Stars In The Must-See Semifinals Elimination
The most recent and arguably most shocking elimination on Dancing with the Stars has sent ripples through the ballroom, proving once again that high scores from the judges can't always save a couple from the power of the audience vote. As of the Season 34 Semifinals, which aired in late 2025, the journey for a fan-favorite celebrity came to an abrupt end, leaving the remaining couples to battle it out for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
The Semifinals are historically one of the most intense nights of competition, and Season 34 on ABC and Disney+ was no exception. With every couple performing two high-stakes dances, the margin for error was non-existent. The combined scores from the judges and the millions of viewer votes ultimately decided which pair would be the last to fall before the Grand Finale. The couple eliminated in Week 10 was reality star Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, Mark Ballas. Their exit was a genuine surprise, given their strong performance and position on the leaderboard.
Whitney Leavitt: Biography and DWTS Journey Profile
Whitney Leavitt, the star at the center of the Semifinals shocker, brought a unique energy to the ballroom. Her journey from social media influencer to reality TV personality captivated a large segment of the viewing public. Here is a brief look at the celebrity who just missed the finale:
- Full Name: Whitney Leavitt (née Ellis)
- Born: May 12, 1993
- Age: 32 (during Season 34)
- Hometown: Utah, USA
- Primary Career: Social Media Personality, Reality Television Star, Dancer, Actress
- Known For: Her content on TikTok, being one of the original "MomTok" It Girls, and starring in the Hulu reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. She is a millennial mom of three.
- DWTS Season: Season 34 (2025)
- Professional Partner: Mark Ballas (Two-time Mirrorball champion)
- Elimination Date: Week 10 (Semifinals)
- Final Placement: 5th Place (Eliminated just before the Finals)
Whitney and Mark Ballas were a formidable pairing, with Ballas being a seasoned veteran and two-time champion of the show. Their partnership was marked by innovative choreography and an ability to connect with the audience, making their Semifinals exit a truly unexpected outcome for many fans of the show.
The Semifinals Shock: High Scores, Low Votes
The elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas was a classic example of a "scoring upset," where a couple with high marks from the judges is sent home due to a lack of sufficient audience votes. The power of the public vote on Dancing with the Stars is undeniable, and it often overrides the technical merit praised by the judges.
Week 10: Prince Night Performances
The Semifinals, dubbed "Prince Night," required each of the five remaining couples to perform two separate dances: a competitive dance and a Dance-Off/Relay. Whitney and Mark delivered two strong performances that evening, placing them near the top of the leaderboard based on the judges' scores alone. Their performances were:
- Competitive Dance (Viennese Waltz): This emotional and technically demanding routine earned them an impressive score of 29/30. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli were effusive in their praise, with two of the three judges awarding a perfect 10.
- Dance-Off/Relay: The couple also participated in a relay dance, where they performed a Cha-Cha. This performance, combined with their Viennese Waltz, gave them one of the highest total scores of the night (an unofficial 55/60 was reported, placing them high on the judges' leaderboard).
Despite these excellent scores, the combination of judges' points and viewer votes placed Whitney and Mark in the bottom two, alongside another strong contender, actor and comedian Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater. In the end, it was Whitney and Mark who were announced as the couple with the lowest combined total, leading to their immediate elimination. The shock was palpable in the ballroom, as many expected them to sail through to the final round of competition.
The Final Four: Who Advanced to the DWTS Finale?
Following the emotional Semifinals exit of Whitney Leavitt, four celebrity-pro pairs advanced to the Season 34 Grand Finale to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The remaining couples represented a diverse and highly talented group of dancers, each with a strong case for taking home the title. The intensity of the final week of competition was immense, with the remaining pairs performing a final two dances: a redemption dance and a freestyle.
The Elite Finalists of Season 34
The four couples who successfully navigated the Semifinals and earned their spot in the finale were:
- Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: The wildlife conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin was a consistent fan favorite, known for his infectious energy and dramatic improvement throughout the season. Their emotional connection and high-scoring routines made them a frontrunner.
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: The social media superstar and her seasoned partner brought a blend of pop culture relevance and technical skill. Their massive online following provided a significant boost in the viewer votes.
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: The Olympic gymnast and her partner showcased incredible athleticism and precision. Their routines were technically flawless, often earning perfect scores from the judges.
- Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: The filmmaker and brother of Zac Efron, paired with the reigning Mirrorball champion, was a dark horse contender who consistently impressed with his commitment to the choreography and his natural stage presence.
The competition between these four couples was fierce, culminating in a dramatic two-hour finale that saw the ultimate winner crowned. The Semifinals elimination of Whitney Leavitt served as a stark reminder to all the finalists—and the viewers at home—that every vote matters, and no one is safe until the final results are read.
The Legacy of the Semifinals Upset
The elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas will be remembered as one of the more controversial Semifinals exits in recent Dancing with the Stars history. It sparked significant debate across social media platforms, with viewers expressing outrage and confusion over how a couple with such high scores could be sent home. This incident highlights the critical balance of the DWTS voting system, which combines 50% judges' scores and 50% viewer votes.
The recurring pattern of high-scoring couples being eliminated early in the competition often suggests that the audience prioritizes the celebrity's story, personality, and overall likability over pure technical dance skill. In the case of Whitney Leavitt, while her dances were technically proficient and emotionally resonant, the sheer volume of votes for the other celebrities in the Final Four proved to be too great to overcome. This dynamic is what keeps the show engaging and unpredictable, as the final outcome is never solely in the hands of the professional judges.
- Key Entities & Topical Authority: The elimination process relies on the Judges' Scores (from Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli), combined with Viewer Votes. The Semifinals are a crucial stage, often leading to a Voting Upset. The winner of the season takes home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Other key contestants included Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, and Dylan Efron, all of whom became DWTS Finalists. This intense night of competition was part of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 (2025), which aired on ABC and Disney+.
Ultimately, the elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas was a testament to the unpredictable nature of live reality competition, setting the stage for one of the most exciting and closely contested finales in years.
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