The Shocking Truth: Who Went Home On Dancing With The Stars In The Season 34 Semifinals?

The question of "who went home on Dancing with the Stars tonight" always delivers a jolt of drama, but the final elimination before the Season 34 finale was arguably the most shocking of the entire run. As of today, December 18, 2025, the most recent elimination from the ballroom was a high-scoring celebrity who was widely considered a frontrunner for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy, proving once again that judge scores are only half the battle when viewer votes come into play. The couple sent packing during the intense Semifinals episode was none other than reality TV star Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, the legendary Mark Ballas.

This surprising exit, which occurred just two weeks before the final episode that crowned Robert Irwin and Witney Carson as champions, sent a wave of frustration through the fan base. Their departure highlighted the unpredictable nature of the competition and set the stage for one of the most closely contested finales in recent memory.

Whitney Leavitt: A Deep Dive into the Eliminated Star's Profile

Whitney Leavitt's journey on Dancing with the Stars Season 34 was one of impressive growth and consistent high scores, making her Semifinals elimination a major talking point. Her celebrity status comes primarily from her role in a popular reality series, but her time on the dance floor showcased a competitive and determined spirit.

• The One Where They Tanked Jokes 15 Shocking New Secrets From The Friends Tv Show Behind The Scenes G9zdh

• Full Name: Whitney Leavitt
• Date of Birth: May 12, 1993
• Age: 31 (as of 2025)
• Birthplace: Utah, United States
• Known For: Breakout cast member on the Hulu reality series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (2024–present)
• Marital Status: Married to Conner Leavitt (engaged in April 2016)
• DWTS Professional Partner: Mark Ballas (Two-time Mirrorball Champion)
• DWTS Elimination: Week 10 (Semifinials) of Season 34
• DWTS High Score: Tied for second place in the Semifinals with a 58/60 total score.

The Semifinals Showdown: Scores, Dances, and the Shocking Result

The Semifinals, often dubbed "Prince Night" in Season 34, is arguably the most pressure-filled episode of any Dancing with the Stars season, as it determines the final couples who will compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. This year, the stakes were incredibly high, with all remaining couples delivering near-perfect performances.

A Near-Perfect Night for Whitney and Mark

Whitney Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas entered the Semifinals as genuine contenders, having consistently impressed the judges with their technical skill and emotional connection to the music. Their Semifinals night consisted of two separate routines: a Cha-Cha and a Viennese Waltz.

Their Viennese Waltz, in particular, was a showstopper, earning the couple a near-perfect score of 29/30, including two 10s. When the two rounds of competition were combined, Whitney and Mark were among the highest-scoring couples of the night, tying for second place with a total score of 58/60. This stellar performance put them on the same level as eventual finalists like Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, and just shy of the top spot.

• 7 Shocking Things Jessica Capshaw Revealed About Growing Up With Steven Spielberg As Her Stepfather 892ho

The other couples who performed in the Semifinals and advanced to the finale included:

• Robert Irwin & Witney Carson (The eventual winners)
• Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy
• Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
• Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
• Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa

The Unpredictable Power of the Viewer Vote

Despite their high scores, the combination of judges' scores and viewer votes ultimately determines the bottom two couples who face elimination. On this pivotal night, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas found themselves in the bottom two, alongside another strong contender, proving that popularity and audience engagement are just as critical as technical proficiency.

When the final results were announced, the reality set in: the couple with the lowest combined total of scores and votes was Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas. Their elimination was immediate, as there is typically no 'save' or judge's choice in the Semifinals, sending them home just one week shy of the grand finale. The swiftness of their departure, given their high standing on the leaderboard, led to a significant backlash from viewers online.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

Fan Outcry and the 'DWTS' Voting Controversy

The elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas sparked a massive reaction across social media platforms. Fans argued that a couple who tied for the second-highest score of the night should not be sent home, especially when other couples with lower cumulative scores were declared safe. This controversy is a recurring theme in DWTS, where the voting system often prioritizes celebrity popularity and fan base size over pure dancing skill.

Many viewers felt that the Semifinals result was "ridiculous" and a "stunt," with some even threatening to boycott the Season 34 finale in protest of what they perceived as an unfair outcome. Whitney and Mark's elimination served as a stark reminder of the show's format: a perfect score from the judges means nothing without the crucial support of the viewing audience. The technical brilliance of their Viennese Waltz was simply not enough to overcome a deficit in the public vote.

The Season 34 Finalists and the Path to the Mirrorball

With Whitney and Mark eliminated, the remaining couples advanced to the Season 34 finale, which aired on December 2, 2025. This final group represented a diverse mix of talent, from the high-scoring athlete to the fan-favorite reality star. [cite: 12 (from step 1)]

The finale itself was a spectacular event, but the ultimate prize went to the couple who managed to secure the highest combination of final judge scores and viewer votes. The winner of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 was announced as wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and his partner, Witney Carson, who took home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. Irwin’s victory continued a family legacy, as his sister Bindi Irwin had previously won the competition a decade earlier. [cite: 4 (from step 3)]

In the end, while Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas didn't make it to the final stage, their Semifinals exit remains one of the most talked-about moments of the season. Their journey exemplifies the intense drama, technical mastery, and unpredictable nature that keeps fans glued to Dancing with the Stars year after year. The shock elimination ensures that the question of "who went home" will always be tied to the delicate balance between the judges' praise and the power of the public vote.