Dancing with the Stars Season 35 saw a dramatic shift in the competition leaderboard during the “Viral Hits night” episode, which aired on Tuesday, September 23, 2026, resulting in the elimination of celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and her partner Alan Bersten.
Key Takeaways
- Major Elimination: Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and partner Alan Bersten were sent home after receiving the lowest combined score from judges and viewers.
- Record-Breaking Engagement: Host Alfonso Ribeiro announced that fan voting for this episode exceeded the total votes from both premiere nights combined and surpassed the Season 34 finale.
- Three-Way Tie for Lead: Jenna Dewan, Ezra Frech, and Amber Glenn all secured the top spot on the leaderboard with a perfect score of 21 out of 30.
- Thematic Focus: The week’s theme, “Viral Hits Night,” featured music trending on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, including artists such as Billie Eilish and Rihanna.
- Judges’ Challenge: To maintain the broadcast schedule, the third judge was required to provide a one-word summary of their critique after each performance.
- Upcoming Episode: The remaining 13 couples will compete in “Yacht Rock Night” next week.
- East Coast Viewers: Voting typically occurs during the live airing and concludes shortly after the final performance.
- West Coast Viewers: To ensure your vote is counted, you must participate between 5:00 p.m. PT and approximately 6:45 p.m. PT.
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What Happened: Viral Hits and High Stakes
On the second full week of Dancing with the Stars Season 35, the ballroom floor became a stage for internet culture. The theme, “Viral Hits Night,” tasked the 14 remaining celebrity couples with performing routines to songs that have achieved massive popularity through social media trends on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. According to an official statement from ABC, the episode featured numbers inspired by “some of the biggest viral hits and unforgettable moments that have taken the internet by storm.”
Despite the high energy of the music, the competition proved to be a double-edged sword. while some contestants used the familiar rhythms to elevate their technical standing, others struggled to translate viral popularity into ballroom precision. The night was marked by significant score fluctuations, with several frontrunners from the premiere week seeing their scores dip, while others emerged as unexpected “dark horses.”
At the conclusion of the night, the results were tallied based on a combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes. Following the announcement, Giada De Laurentiis was eliminated. Speaking to host Julianne Hough after her departure, the chef reflected on her performance, stating, “I tried my best, and it wasn’t ‘best’ enough, but I did try my best.”
The Leaderboard: A Detailed Breakdown of Week 2
As the competition intensifies, the gap between the top tier and the bottom tier of the leaderboard has become increasingly pronounced. The following table summarizes the official scores and dance styles for all 14 couples during the “Viral Hits Night” broadcast.
| Celebrity | Professional Partner | Dance Style | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jenna Dewan | Val Chmerkovskiy | Jive | 21/30 | Active |
| Ezra Frech | Daniella Karagach | Cha-cha | 21/30 | Active |
| Amber Glenn | Pasha Pashkov | Tango | 21/30 | Active |
| Maura Higgins | Mark Ballas | Cha-cha | 19/30 | Active |
| Ciara Miller | Brandon Armstrong | Tango | 18/30 | Active |
| Jackson Olson | Emma Slater | Foxtrot | 18/30 | Active |
| Tatyana Ali | Jan Ravnik | Foxtrot | 18/30 | Active |
| Harry Shum Jr. | Jenna Johnson | Viennese waltz | 18/30 | Active |
| Tyler Cameron | Sharna Burgess | Salsa | 16/30 | Active |
| Julia Stiles | Ezra Sosa | Tango | 16/30 | Active |
| Connor Wood | Rylee Arnold | Tango | 15/30 | Active |
| Taylor Hanson | Britt Stewart | Cha-cha | 15/30 | Active |
| Giada De Laurentiis | Alan Bersten | Salsa | 12/30 | Eliminated |
| Guillermo Rodriguez | Witney Carson | Paso doble | 12/30 | Active |
Deep-Dive: Performance Analysis and Judge Critiques
The Frontrunners: Perfection in the Ballroom
Three couples emerged at the pinnacle of the leaderboard, each earning a score of 21 out of 30. Jenna Dewan, the star of ABC’s The Rookie and the film Step Up, set the tone for the night with a jive to “Animal” by KATSEYE. Judge Bruno Tonioli lauded the performance as a “sculpture,” describing Dewan as a “fast and furious sexy beast.” Carrie Ann Inaba noted visible improvement from the previous week, while Derek Hough provided a non-compliant review, calling it “fast, furious, fantastic.”
Paralympian Ezra Frech and partner Daniella Karagach delivered a standout cha-cha to Flo Rida’s “Low.” Carrie Ann noted that Frech “demands” the audience’s attention, while Derek expressed being “in awe” of the performance. Bruno‘s one-word summary was “Fabulous!”
Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov also secured a 21/30 with a tango to “All the Things She Said” by Harrison. Bruno declared it the “best tango of the night, period,” and Carrie Ann called the partnership “phenomenal.”
The Mid-Pack: Consistency and Growth
Maura Higgins, the Love Island and The Traitors alum, performed a cha-cha to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, earning 19/30. While Derek noted her routine was slightly “back-weighted,” Bruno offered a warm “bravo you!”
Jackson Olson, the Savannah Bananas star, showed significant technical growth in his foxtrot to Gracie Abrams’ “That’s So True,” earning 18/30. Carrie Ann explicitly remarked, “Whoa. Improvement!”
Tatyana Ali delivered an emotional foxtrot to Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”, also scoring 18/30. Derek described the performance as “breathtaking,” and Bruno praised her storytelling abilities.
The Struggle: Technical Missteps and Score Dips
For several contestants, the pressure of the second week resulted in lower scores than their premiere performances. Harry Shum Jr. saw his score drop from 21 to 18 during a Viennese waltz to “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls. While Bruno appreciated the emotion, Carrie Ann noted the performance felt “out of balance,” a critique that reportedly drew boos from the live audience.
Julia Stiles also experienced a score dip, falling from 18 to 16 with a tango to Teddy Swims’ “The Door.” Bruno noted that while she was clearly out of her comfort zone, she struggled with several stumbles.
Tyler Cameron‘s salsa to “Girls” by The Kid LAROI was criticized by Derek for feeling more like a “cabaret” than a traditional salsa, focusing heavily on solo moments rather than technical footwork. This resulted in a score of 16/30.
Why It Matters: The Surge in Viewer Engagement
The scale of the competition in Dancing with the Stars Season 35 is reaching unprecedented levels. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, host Alfonso Ribeiro announced that the fan votes received during “Viral Hits Night” were not only higher than the combined totals of both premiere nights but also “triumphed over that of the season 34 DWTS finale.”
This massive influx of engagement suggests that the franchise is successfully capturing a younger, digitally-native audience by leaning into social media trends. However, this high volume of voting also increases the volatility for contestants. As seen with Giada De Laurentiis, even high-profile celebrities can find themselves at the bottom of the pack if their technical scores do not align with viewer popularity.
What It Means for You: Navigating the Voting Process
For fans looking to influence the outcome of the competition, understanding the logistics of the voting window is critical, particularly for those living on the West Coast. Because the show is a live broadcast on ABC and Disney+, the voting window is relatively narrow.
Missing this window can significantly impact the survival of your favorite contestants, especially in a season where the margin between staying and being eliminated is razor-thin.
Counterpoints and Open Questions
While the “Viral Hits” theme was a ratings success, it has raised questions among dance purists regarding the technical integrity of the competition. Critics, including TVLine’s Rebecca Luther, have noted that some performances, such as Tyler Cameron‘s, may rely too heavily on “Magic Mike” style tropes and personality at the expense of traditional ballroom technique.
There is also the question of whether the heavy reliance on trending music might overshadow the fundamental discipline of dance. As the season progresses, the judges will likely demand more rigorous adherence to style-specific footwork and posture, potentially creating a conflict between what is “viral” and what is technically proficient.
Furthermore, the recent technical issues reported during the premiere night regarding text and online voting have left some fans wary. While the production has stated these issues are resolved, the high volume of votes expected in upcoming weeks will be a true test of the show’s digital infrastructure.
What Happens Next
With Giada De Laurentiis gone, the competition moves into week three with 13 remaining couples. The theme for the upcoming episode is “Yacht Rock Night,” promising a shift from modern viral hits to the smooth, melodic sounds of the late 1970s and 1980s.
Fans should watch closely to see if the current leaders—Jenna Dewan, Ezra Frech, and Amber Glenn—can maintain their momentum or if the “Yacht Rock” theme will allow the mid-pack contestants to close the gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Week 2?n
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and her professional partner Alan Bersten were eliminated during the second week of Dancing with the Stars Season 35 after receiving a score of 12/30 and failing to secure enough viewer votes to stay in the competition.
What was the theme for DWTS Season 35, Week 2?
The theme was “Viral Hits Night,” which featured music that has recently trended on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Contestants performed to songs by artists such as Billie Eilish, Rihanna, and Flo Rida.
How do I vote for Dancing with the Stars?
Viewers can vote via text or online. For those on the West Coast, it is important to note that the voting window is limited, typically closing around 6:45 p.m. PT on Tuesday nights.
Who is currently leading the competition?
Following the second week, there is a three-way tie for the top of the leaderboard. Jenna Dewan, Ezra Frech, and Amber Glenn all hold the highest score of 21 out of 30.
Dancing with the Stars Season 35 continues its journey every Tuesday at 8 p.m
References
Featured image: Image via TVLine
