The Shock Elimination That Shook DWTS Season 34: Who Was Voted Off Before The Finale?

As of December 18, 2025, the ballroom drama of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 has officially concluded, but the final elimination before the grand finale remains one of the most talked-about moments of the entire season. The competition was fierce, culminating in a shocking semi-final vote-off that determined the final lineup for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

The couple who faced the final elimination before the Season 34 finale was Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, Mark Ballas. Their semi-final exit, which occurred on 'Prince Night,' sent shockwaves through the fandom, as many considered them a top contender based on their consistently high scores and Mark Ballas's triumphant return to the show. The subsequent grand finale crowned a surprising champion, solidifying Season 34 as one of the most unpredictable in DWTS history.

The Final Elimination and The Season 34 Champion

The query "who was eliminated on Dancing with the Stars tonight" refers to the most recent broadcast, which was the dramatic conclusion of Season 34. The season's structure meant the final elimination was the semi-final vote-off, which determined the top three couples who would compete for the championship.

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The Shocking Semi-Final Exit: Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas

The semi-finals, or 'Prince Night,' saw all couples perform two routines: a new style and an encore performance. Despite delivering a strong performance, social media personality Whitney Leavitt and her partner, veteran pro Mark Ballas, landed in the bottom two. Their elimination was particularly controversial because they were not the lowest-scoring couple of the night.

• The Eliminated Couple: Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas.
• The Dance: Their final performance was a heartfelt and technically sound routine.
• The Controversy: Their high-scoring run was cut short, demonstrating the unpredictable power of the combined judges' scores and crucial viewer votes.

This semi-final vote-off meant that Leavitt and Ballas missed out on the finale, a result that Mark Ballas, a two-time Mirrorball Trophy winner, had not experienced in many seasons.

The Final Showdown: The DWTS Season 34 Finale

The grand finale, which aired on December 2, 2025, saw the remaining three couples perform two final dances—a redemption dance and a spectacular freestyle. The judges' scores were incredibly close, with TikTok sensation Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy actually topping the leaderboard with a perfect 90/90.

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However, the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy is decided by a combination of the judges' scores and the public's viewer votes. When the final tally was announced, the Season 34 winner was revealed to be:

The Winner: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson.

The Australian conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin won the competition, continuing his family's legacy in the ballroom after his sister, Bindi Irwin, won Season 21.

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Meet the Key Figures: The Eliminated and the Champion

The Season 34 cast brought a diverse group of celebrities to the ballroom. Here is a look at the two figures who defined the final week of the competition: the eliminated star and the eventual champion.

Robert Irwin: The Champion's Biography

Robert Clarence Irwin is an Australian conservationist, television personality, and wildlife photographer.

• Born: December 1, 2003, in Buderim, Queensland, Australia.
• Family Legacy: Son of the late "Crocodile Hunter," Steve Irwin, and Terri Irwin. His sister is Bindi Irwin, a former DWTS champion.
• Career: Passionate wildlife conservationist who works at the Australia Zoo, frequently appearing on television shows like Crikey! It's the Irwins.
• DWTS Partner: Witney Carson, a fan-favorite professional dancer and Mirrorball champion.
• Season 34 Journey: Known for his high-energy performances, dedication, and respectful demeanor, Robert Irwin consistently impressed the judges, including Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli.

Whitney Leavitt: The Shock Elimination Biography

Whitney Leavitt is an American media personality whose elimination was one of the biggest surprises of the season.

• Born: May 12, 1993 (née Ellis).
• Career: Gained significant prominence as a TikTok sensation, known for her comedy, dance, and vlog videos featuring her family.
• Media Presence: She was an original member of the online group #MomTok and is often referred to as a "Mormon Wives" star.
• DWTS Partner: Mark Ballas, who returned to the show after a multi-season hiatus.
• Season 34 Journey: She was a dark horse who quickly became a frontrunner, often receiving high scores from the judging panel, which made her semi-final exit particularly shocking to viewers.

The Finalists and Other Season 34 Notable Entities

Season 34, which premiered on September 16, 2025, was one of the most competitive in recent memory. The final three couples who survived the semi-final elimination alongside Robert Irwin and Witney Carson were formidable competitors, making the final outcome a genuine toss-up.

The Runners-Up and Finalists

The competition was intense right up to the final moment. The two couples who finished just behind Robert Irwin were:

Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: Alix Earle, a major TikTok and social media personality, brought a massive fan base and impressive dance skills to the competition. She and her partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, achieved the highest total judges' score in the finale, but the viewer vote ultimately placed them as the runner-up.

Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten: Actress Elaine Hendrix, famous for roles in films like The Parent Trap, was the season's inspirational story, showcasing incredible growth. She and her partner, Alan Bersten, consistently improved and earned high praise from the judges, including a perfect score in the semi-finals.

The Season 34 Judging Panel and Hosts

The season was overseen by a panel of expert judges and hosted by a popular duo:

• Judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
• Hosts: Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough.

The Legacy of DWTS Season 34

The "shock elimination" of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas in the semi-finals, followed by the unexpected victory of Robert Irwin, cemented Season 34 as a true battle between judges' scores and the public's passionate viewer votes. The season proved once again that star power, fan loyalty, and the ability to connect emotionally with the audience are just as important as technical perfection in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom.

While the season is over, the performances and the final results will be debated for years to come. The victory of Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, carrying on the Irwin family's legacy, was a heartfelt conclusion to a season filled with incredible dances, emotional moments, and one truly shocking semi-final elimination. Fans can now look forward to Season 35 and speculate on which celebrities will face the pressure of the ballroom next.