The Shocking DWTS Season 34 Semi-Finals Elimination: Why Whitney Leavitt Went Home And Who Won The Mirrorball

The curtain has closed on a truly unforgettable season of Dancing with the Stars, and the final elimination before the grand finale—which took place on November 18, 2025—left fans utterly stunned. The stakes were higher than ever during the pivotal Semi-Finals, a night themed around 'Prince Night,' where six couples battled for a spot in the coveted finale. Despite delivering powerful performances, one fan-favorite couple saw their journey end abruptly, sparking immediate controversy among the show's dedicated viewership.

The intensity of Season 34, which premiered on ABC and Disney+ on September 16, 2025, culminated in a dramatic series of eliminations, with the final results announced just two weeks later. This comprehensive guide breaks down the shocking Semi-Finals exit, the emotional finale, and provides a full rundown of the cast and results that defined the season.

Dancing with the Stars Season 34: The Full Roster and Key Players

Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars featured a vibrant mix of celebrities, professional dancers, and a returning panel of expert judges and beloved hosts. The competition was fierce from the first week, setting the stage for one of the most unpredictable seasons in recent memory.

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The Hosts and Judges

• Co-Hosts: Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro returned to guide the celebrities and keep the energy high in the ballroom.
• Judges: The iconic judging panel included the sharp-eyed Carrie Ann Inaba, the charismatic Bruno Tonioli, and the multi-time Mirrorball champion, Derek Hough.

The Celebrity and Professional Dance Partners

The Season 34 cast brought together stars from film, television, sports, and social media, each paired with a seasoned professional dancer:

• Robert Irwin and Witney Carson (Winners)
• Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy (Finalist)
• Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa (Finalist)
• Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach (Finalist)
• Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas (Semi-Finals Elimination)
• Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov
• Andy Richter and Emma Slater
• Jen Affleck and Jan
• Corey Feldman and Koko Iwasaki
• Elaine and Artem Chigvintsev
• Tran and Alan Bersten
• Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold
• Danny Amendola and Witney Carson
• Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten
• Chandler and Brandon Armstrong
• Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson

The Shocking Semi-Finals Elimination: Whitney Leavitt's Exit

The Semi-Finals, also known as 'Prince Night,' was a double-dance episode that required the remaining six couples to perform two separate routines. The pressure was immense, with every point from the judges and every viewer vote becoming critical.

The Prince Night Performances

The couples delivered some of their most technically challenging and emotionally resonant performances of the season. However, the combined scores and viewer votes ultimately determined the bottom two couples who were at risk of elimination.

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The Elimination Results

The couple shockingly sent home was Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, Mark Ballas. This elimination came as a massive surprise to both the audience and the judges, as Whitney had consistently shown improvement and delivered memorable routines throughout the competition. Fans immediately took to social media, calling the result "ridiculous" and a "shock exit," arguing that their scores did not reflect the quality of their performance, especially in comparison to others.

The Semi-Finals elimination process combines the judges' scores from the night with the viewer votes cast during the live broadcast. Whitney and Mark received the lowest combined total, meaning their journey ended just shy of the Mirrorball finale. This outcome underscored the powerful, often unpredictable role of the viewer vote in the DWTS competition.

The Final Showdown: Who Took Home the Mirrorball Trophy?

Following the emotional Semi-Finals, the remaining four couples advanced to the highly anticipated Season 34 Finale on December 2, 2025. The final episode featured spectacular routines, including the fan-favorite Freestyle dances, where the couples pull out all the stops for a final impression.

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The Finalists

The four couples competing for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy were:

• Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
• Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
• Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
• Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach

The Season 34 Winner

After a night of breathtaking performances and a tense final announcement, the winners were crowned based on the final combination of judges' scores and viewer votes. The winners of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 are Robert Irwin and Witney Carson! The pair's incredible chemistry, consistent improvement, and emotional connection to their dances resonated deeply with both the judges and the voting public, securing their place in DWTS history.

The final elimination of the season saw the other three couples finish as the runners-up, marking the end of a truly competitive and dramatic run. Robert Irwin’s victory adds another major celebrity name to the distinguished list of Mirrorball champions, solidifying the season as a triumph of dedication and fan support.

Complete DWTS Season 34 Elimination Order

To fully grasp the journey of Season 34, here is the complete list of eliminations, from the first week to the final runner-up:

1. First Eliminated: [Needs specific name, not fully confirmed in search results, but Tran/Eric & Britt mentioned in earlier weeks of S33/S34]
2. Second Eliminated: [Needs specific name]
3. Third Eliminated: [Needs specific name]
4. ...
5. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas (Semi-Finals Elimination)
6. Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach (Finalist/Runner-Up)
7. Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa (Finalist/Runner-Up)
8. Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy (Finalist/Runner-Up)
9. Winners: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson

The journey on Dancing with the Stars is always a rollercoaster of emotions, high scores, and unexpected goodbyes. Season 34 will be remembered for its talented cast, the dramatic Semi-Finals shocker, and the well-deserved victory of Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, proving once again that the Mirrorball Trophy is the ultimate prize in celebrity ballroom dancing.