The Dancing with the Stars season 35 competition intensified on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, as “viral Hits night” delivered record-breaking fan engagement and a high-stakes elimination that left the ballroom in shock. Following a split-night premiere that separated male and female contestants, the second week of competition brought all 14 remaining couples together for a single, high-energy live broadcast. The night was defined by musical performances inspired by internet trends and viral sensations, resulting in a three-way tie for the top of the leaderboard and the departure of celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis.
Key Takeaways
- Shocking Elimination: Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and partner Alan Bersten were eliminated after receiving a low score of 12/30.
- Record-Breaking Engagement: Host Alfonso Ribeiro announced that fan voting for “Viral Hits Night” surpassed both the season premieres and the total votes from the Season 34 finale.
- Leaderboard Tie: Three couples—Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy, Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach, and Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov—tied for the highest score of 21/30.
- Production Changes: A new judging constraint was implemented to maintain the broadcast schedule, requiring the third judge to provide only a one-word summary.
- Technical Volatility: While some contestants showed massive improvement, others, including Harry Shum Jr. and Taylor Hanson, saw their scores decline from the premiere week.
- Upcoming Theme: The competition moves into Week 3 with a “Yacht Rock Night” theme.
- The Voting Window is Critical: Because the show is now a single live broadcast for all contestants, the voting window is highly compressed.
- West Coast Viewers Must Act Fast: For those in the Pacific Time zone, voting is only available between 5:00 p.m. PT and approximately 6:45 p.m. PT. Voting closes immediately following the final performance of the night. Missing this window means your vote will not count toward the final tally.
- Watch the Leaderboard, Not Just the Scores: As seen this week, a high score does not guarantee safety, and a low score does not always mean immediate elimination. The final result is a combination of the judges’ technical marks and the total volume of fan votes.
- Next Tuesday: Week 3 broadcast featuring “Yacht Rock Night.”
- Viewing Schedule: Tune in to Dancing with the Stars on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. Episodes will be available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
- www.hollywoodreporter.com
- deadline.com
- www.tvline.com
- www.today.com
- abc7.com
What Happened: Viral Hits and High Stakes
On the night of September 22, 2026, Dancing with the Stars aired its third episode of the season, themed “Viral Hits Night.” The episode focused on musical tracks that had gained massive popularity through social media trends on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, the night featured hits from artists including Rihanna, Flo Rida, Billie Eilish, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
To manage the production timeline for the 14-couple roster, producers introduced a new rule: the third judge to speak after each dance was required to sum up their thoughts in just one word. This change was designed to keep the live broadcast on schedule, though Deadline noted that the jury is still divided on whether this brevity enhances or detracts from the technical critique process.
As the night progressed, the leaderboard saw significant movement. While the top of the pack was dominated by high-scoring technical performances, the bottom of the pack was equally competitive. Ultimately, the combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes led to the elimination of Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten. Following her exit, Giada expressed her disappointment to host Julianne Hough, stating, “I tried my best, and it wasn’t ‘best’ enough, but I did try my best.”
Why It Matters: A Shift in Competition Dynamics
The results of this week signify a major shift in the Dancing with the Stars Season 35 landscape. The transition from the split-night premiere format to a unified live broadcast has increased the pressure on contestants to deliver consistent, high-impact performances within a single window.
Furthermore, the massive surge in fan voting—which The Hollywood Reporter noted has surpassed the Season 34 finale—highlights the growing influence of social media trends on the show’s viewership. The “Viral Hits” theme was clearly a successful strategy for driving engagement, as the music resonated deeply with the digital-native audience. However, this also means that technical precision is increasingly being weighed against “viral potential,” a tension that will likely define the remainder of the season.
Detailed Performance and Scoring Breakdown
The following table provides a comprehensive look at the scores awarded during the “Viral Hits Night” broadcast, as reported by TVLine and Deadline.
| Contestant | Professional Partner | Dance Style | Song Title | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenna Dewan | Val Chmerkovskiy | Jive | “Animal” | 21/30 | Safe |
| Ezra Frech | Daniella Karagach | Cha-cha | “Low” | 21/30 | Safe |
| Amber Glenn | Pasha Pashkov | Tango | “All the Things She Said” | 21/30 | Safe |
| Maura Higgins | Mark Ballas | Cha-cha | “September” | 19/30 | Safe |
| Ciara Miller | Brandon Armstrong | Tango | “No Broke Boys” | 18/30 | Safe |
| Tatyana Ali | Jan Ravnik | Foxtrot | “What Was I Made For?” | 18/30 | Safe |
| Jackson Olson | Emma Slater | Foxtrot | “That’s So True” | 18/30 | Safe |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Jenna Johnson | Viennese waltz | “Iris” | 18/30 | Safe |
| Tyler Cameron | Sharna Burgess | Salsa | “Girls” | 16/30 | Safe |
| Julia Stiles | Ezra Sosa | Tango | “The Door” | 16/30 | Safe |
| Connor Wood | Rylee Arnold | Tango | “12 to 12” | 15/30 | Safe |
| Taylor Hanson | Britt Stewart | Cha-cha | “Cake By the Ocean” | 15/30 | Safe |
| Guillermo Rodriguez | Witney Carson | Paso doble | “Where Have You Been” | 12/30 | Safe |
| Giada De Laurentiis | Alan Bersten | Salsa | “Bella Ciao” | 12/30 | Eliminated |
Deep Dive: The Frontrunners and the Technical Triumphs
The Three-Way Tie for First
Three couples emerged as the technical leaders of the night, each earning a perfect set of 7s from the judges.
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy delivered a high-energy jive to “Animal” by KATSEYE. Deadline reported that Dewan, an alumna of “The Rookie” and “Step Up,” focused heavily on “kinetic resistance” to improve upon her Week 1 performance. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was visibly impressed, stating, “That’s what I’m talking about!” while Bruno Tonioli described the performance as a “sculpture.”
Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach showcased incredible skill with a cha-cha to Flo Rida’s “Low.” Frech, a Paralympian, received high praise from Derek Hough, who remarked, “Ezra, I am absolutely blown away. This is your superpower.” The performance was noted for its synchronization and technical difficulty.
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov took the floor for a tango to “All the Things She Said” by Harrison. Glenn, an Olympic figure skater, utilized her innate sense of movement to captivate the judges. Bruno Tonioli called it the “best tango of the night. Period.”
The Mid-Tier and the “Dark Horses”
Several contestants demonstrated significant growth, positioning themselves as serious contenders for the finale.
Maura Higgins, the Love Island and The Traitors alum, moved up the leaderboard with a 19/30 for her cha-cha to “September.” While TVLine noted she had been a “nervous wreck” in previous weeks, her performance with Mark Ballas was described as stable and elegant.
Ciara Miller also saw a boost in confidence. Her tango to “No Broke Boys” earned an 18/30. Carrie Ann Inaba reacted enthusiastically to her increased intensity, declaring, “Ciara has entered the building!!! You are in it to win it.”
Jackson Olson, the Savannah Bananas star, showed marked technical improvement in his foxtrot to “That’s So True” by Gracie Abrams. Judge Inaba noted the progress, saying, “Whoa. Improvement!”
Analysis: The Decline of the Early Leaders
A notable trend in Dancing with the Stars Season 35 is the “Week 2 Dip,” where contestants who performed strongly during the premiere see a decline in their scores as the technical difficulty increases.
Harry Shum Jr., who held a top position in Week 1, saw his score drop from 21 to 18 for his Viennese waltz to “Iris.” While Bruno Tonioli praised the emotion of the routine, Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued the performance as being “out of balance.” This critique was met with boos from the live audience, highlighting the sometimes polarizing nature of the judging panel.
Similarly, Taylor Hanson experienced a slight decline, dropping from 16 to 15 for his cha-cha to “Cake By the Ocean.” Judge Inaba described the movement as “frenetic,” and Derek Hough suggested that Hanson needs to focus more on his arm and finger placement to reach the next level.
The Elimination: Why Giada De Laurentiis Fell Short
The elimination of Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten serves as a cautionary tale regarding the importance of both technical execution and performance energy. Performing a salsa to “Bella Ciao,” the duo struggled to find the necessary rhythm and passion.
Judge Bruno Tonioli offered a blunt assessment, noting that Giada provided “salsa with no spice” and urged her to “let go” during her performances. Carrie Ann Inaba also described the routine as “shaky.” While Giada is a beloved celebrity chef, the combination of her lower technical score and the high volume of fan votes for other contestants proved insurmountable.
Deadline also pointed to the choreography as a potential factor, suggesting that some of the “hokier flourishes” added to the routine may have distracted from the fundamental salsa steps.
What It Means for You: A Guide for Fans and Voters
If you are a viewer of Dancing with the Stars Season 35, there are several practical implications to keep in mind as the competition enters its most intense phase:
Counterpoints and Open Questions
While the “Viral Hits” theme was a ratings success, it raises several questions about the future direction of the show.
Is the one-word judging rule a detriment to the art form? Critics argue that by limiting the third judge’s ability to provide detailed technical feedback, the show may be sacrificing educational value for the sake of pacing. While it keeps the broadcast tight, it leaves some viewers wanting more depth in the critique of complex movements.
Is the single-night format too taxing for the contestants? The shift from a split-night premiere to a full 14-couple broadcast puts immense pressure on both the dancers and the production crew. There is an ongoing debate among fans as to whether this format allows enough time for each couple to truly showcase their individual journey.
What Happens Next
As the competition moves into Week 3, the remaining 13 couples will face a new challenge: “Yacht Rock Night.” Viewers can expect a shift in musical tone, moving from modern viral hits to the smooth, melodic sounds of the late 70s and early 80s.
Key dates to watch:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was eliminated in Week 2 of Dancing with the Stars Season 35?
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and her professional partner Alan Bersten were eliminated during the “Viral Hits Night” episode on September 22, 2026. They received a score of 12/30.
What was the theme for Week 2 of Season 35?
The theme for Week 2 was “Viral Hits Night,” where contestants performed to songs that had become popular through social media trends on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
How can I vote for my favorite dancers?
Voting is conducted during the live East Coast broadcast. For viewers in the Pacific Time zone, it is vital to vote between 5:00 p.m. PT and 6:45 p.m. PT, as the window closes once the final performance concludes.
Who had the highest score this week?*
There was a three-way tie for the highest score of the night. Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy, Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach, and Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov all earned 21 out of 30 points.
With the elimination of a major star like Giada De Laurentiis, the field for Dancing with the Stars Season 35 has narrowed, and the competition for the mirrorball trophy is only getting more intense
References
Featured image: Image via Deadline
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