The Shocking DWTS Semifinals Elimination: How A Near-Perfect Score Sent This Star Home

The curtain has closed on the most recent competitive episode of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), and the results from the Semifinals on the most current airing season were nothing short of a shockwave for fans and judges alike. As of Thursday, December 18, 2025, the last couple to be sent home just before the grand finale was a duo who had consistently impressed the judges, proving that in the world of ballroom, public votes hold the ultimate power. The elimination of a couple with one of the highest scores of the night immediately became the biggest talking point of the season, setting a dramatic stage for the upcoming final.

The star who was eliminated was reality television personality Whitney Leavitt, alongside her professional partner, the multi-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas. Their elimination on Week 10, themed "Prince Night," was particularly controversial because they had earned a near-perfect score, placing them at the top of the leaderboard for the evening. The couple's departure meant they missed out on the opportunity to perform their planned freestyle and compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy in the Season 34 finale.

Whitney Leavitt: A Full Biography and DWTS Journey

Whitney Leavitt entered Dancing with the Stars Season 34 as a celebrity contestant, bringing a significant and loyal following from her career in digital media and reality television. She quickly became a polarizing but captivating figure on the dance floor.

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

• Full Name: Whitney Leavitt
• Age: 32 (at the time of the competition)
• Hometown: Utah, USA
• Occupation: Reality Television Personality, Digital Content Creator, Influencer, and Entrepreneur.
• Known For: Leavitt is widely recognized as a "breakout star" from the Hulu reality series SLOMW (often referenced as Mormon Wives or similar reality show centered on life in Utah). Her social media presence, particularly on TikTok and Instagram, is substantial, where she shares her life as a millennial mom of three.
• Professional Partner: Mark Ballas (a two-time DWTS champion known for his innovative choreography and dramatic flair).
• DWTS Season: Season 34 (2025)
• Final Placement: 5th Place (Eliminated in the Semifinals, Week 10)
• Notable Moments: Her journey was marked by both high scores and significant criticism from some viewers regarding her prior dance experience, a common debate point in the DWTS community. She was consistently praised for her emotional performances and commitment to the character of each dance.

Leavitt's casting generated buzz due to her reality TV background, which she openly embraced. Her partnership with Mark Ballas was anticipated, as Ballas had recently returned to the show, and their dynamic became a central narrative of the season.

The Semifinals Shocker: How a Near-Perfect Score Wasn't Enough

The Semifinals, held on "Prince Night," saw the remaining couples perform two distinct dances. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas delivered two of their best performances of the entire competition, showcasing immense technical growth and emotional depth. Their high scores, however, could not save them from the combination of judges' scores and the public vote, which ultimately dictates who stays and who goes.

Performance Breakdown on Prince Night (Week 10)

The Semifinals required each couple to perform a redemption dance and a new style. Leavitt and Ballas excelled in both, earning a total score that should have guaranteed them a spot in the finale.

• 5 Shocking Facts About Anna Congdon Penn State Sweetheart To Nfl Fiances Social Media Firestorm Cc90e

• Dance 1 (Viennese Waltz): For their first dance, a graceful Viennese Waltz, the pair received a score of 29 out of a possible 30 points. Judge Julianne Hough gave them a perfect 10, while Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli awarded them 9s.
• Dance 2 (Cha-Cha-Cha): Their second performance, a vibrant Cha-Cha-Cha, also earned a near-perfect score of 29 out of 30. This brought their total for the night to a remarkable 58 out of 60 points.

Despite this phenomenal success on the leaderboard, the couple landed in the bottom two alongside another highly-rated pair. Ultimately, the combination of the public vote and the judges' decision sent Leavitt and Ballas home. This scenario reignited the long-standing debate among fans about whether the public vote is truly fair, especially when a couple with such high technical merit is eliminated over those with lower scores.

The Finalists and The Aftermath of the Elimination

The elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas paved the way for the remaining couples to compete in the Season 34 finale. Their departure was particularly hard-hitting because they were eliminated before they could perform their highly anticipated freestyle dance, which is often the most memorable routine of the season.

The Semifinals results secured the following couples a spot in the Season 34 finale:

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

• Robert Irwin & Witney Carson: The eventual winners of the season, consistently strong performers.
• Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy: Another popular couple with a massive social media following.
• Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa: The Olympic gymnast, known for her athleticism and precision.
• Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach: An unexpected dark horse who peaked at the right time.

Following the elimination, Whitney Leavitt took to social media and interviews to express her gratitude and disappointment. She tearfully spoke about her experience, receiving an outpouring of support from fellow contestants, including Alix Earle, who called her "the sweetest person ever." Mark Ballas also shared that he and Leavitt had a "gut feeling" about their fate, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the show's voting system.

In a unique twist after their elimination, Leavitt and Ballas performed their unperformed freestyle routine on a popular podcast, giving fans a glimpse of what could have been. The routine was a powerful testament to their partnership and the high-caliber choreography that had been cut short.

The Semifinals elimination of Whitney Leavitt serves as a crucial reminder of the two-pronged challenge of Dancing with the Stars. While a couple must impress the panel of judges—Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli—to earn high scores, they must also garner enough viewer votes to survive the weekly cuts. Leavitt and Ballas proved they had the dance ability, but the public vote ultimately sealed their fate, making it one of the most memorable and controversial eliminations in recent DWTS history.