Shocking Semifinals Exit: The Full Story Behind Whitney Leavitt's Elimination From DWTS Season 34

The ballroom drama reached a fever pitch this season, culminating in a truly shocking elimination during the semifinals of Dancing With the Stars Season 34. As of December 13, 2025, the dance world is still reeling from the unexpected exit of one of the season's strongest contenders, proving once again that judge's scores are only half the battle when the power is in the hands of the viewer votes. The Semifinals delivered a brutal reality check, sending home a couple who had consistently delivered high-scoring, emotionally resonant performances.

The latest star to leave the competition, just shy of the coveted finale, was reality television personality and author Whitney Leavitt, partnered with professional dancer Mark Ballas. Their elimination in Week 10 was a massive upset, especially considering their near-perfect scores for the night. This dramatic turn of events has sparked intense debate across social media and fan forums, highlighting the enduring tension between artistic merit and popular support on the long-running show. The shocking nature of the elimination has set the stage for one of the most unpredictable finales in recent memory.

Whitney Leavitt: A Full Profile and Dance Journey

Whitney Leavitt came into Season 34 with a significant following and a backstory that immediately captured the public's attention. Her journey on Dancing With the Stars was marked by both high praise from the judges and intense scrutiny from viewers, particularly regarding her previous dance experience.

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• Full Name: Whitney Leavitt (née Ellis)
• Born: May 12, 1993
• Age at Competition: 32 (as of 2025)
• Hometown/Base: Utah, United States
• Profession: American media personality, author, and wellness enthusiast
• Known For: Main cast member on the Hulu reality television series, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (2024–present)
• Social Media Presence: A prominent figure in the "MomTok" community, building a loyal digital following as a millennial mom of three
• Professional Partner (DWTS S34): Mark Ballas
• Controversy: Her extensive background in dance (including a college degree in dance and training 40-50 hours a week in high school) led to some viewer backlash over her "ringer" status

Leavitt and Ballas quickly established themselves as technical powerhouses. Their partnership was lauded for its creativity and the demanding choreography Mark Ballas is known for. However, despite their consistent high scores, they frequently found themselves hovering near the bottom of the combined leaderboard and viewer vote, a pattern that ultimately proved fatal in the Semifinals.

The Semifinals Shock: Near-Perfect Scores and a Crushing Exit

The Semifinals, also known as "Prince Night" in Season 34, required the remaining couples to perform two dances. This night is historically one of the most challenging, as the pressure mounts and the margin for error shrinks to almost nothing. Leavitt and Ballas were determined to secure their spot in the finale, delivering a performance that was technically brilliant.

The Final Performances and Scores

For their first dance, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas performed a stunning Viennese Waltz. The judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—were effusive in their praise, recognizing the complexity and emotional depth of the routine. The scores reflected their high level of performance:

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• Dance Style: Viennese Waltz
• Judges' Score: 29/30
• Individual Scores: 9 (Carrie Ann Inaba), 10 (Derek Hough), 10 (Bruno Tonioli)

The couple’s near-perfect score placed them high on the leaderboard for the night, suggesting they were safe from elimination. The second dance of the evening, a high-energy routine, also contributed to their overall high standing. However, the final result is a combination of the judges' scores and the crucial viewer votes. This is where the shocking twist occurred.

The Power of the Viewer Vote

The elimination mechanism on Dancing With the Stars is a delicate balance. The judges’ scores account for 50% of the total, and the audience's votes account for the remaining 50%. Even a perfect score can be overturned if a couple receives a significantly low number of viewer votes. In the Semifinals, the couple with the lowest combined total of judges' scores and viewer support is immediately eliminated, without a "Dance-Off" or "Save" option.

Despite their technical prowess and the 29/30 score, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas found themselves in the bottom spot when the scores were fused with the popular vote. The announcement of their name sent a visible wave of shock through the ballroom, with the judges and other contestants reacting to the unexpected departure. The elimination of such a high-scoring couple so close to the finale underscored the importance of the celebrity's popularity and connection with the viewing audience over pure dance skill, a recurring theme in the history of the show.

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The Aftermath and the Final Four

Whitney Leavitt's elimination in Week 10 meant that the competition for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy was narrowed down to four couples. The remaining finalists, who went on to compete in the Season 34 finale, were:

• Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: The eventual winners of the season, who consistently balanced strong technical dancing with immense viewer appeal.
• Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: A fan-favorite couple whose journey of improvement resonated deeply with the audience.
• Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: The Olympic gymnast, who brought incredible athleticism and precision to the ballroom.
• Dylan Efron and Rylee Arnold: Another strong contender who made it to the final stage.

The departure of Leavitt and Ballas was a major talking point leading into the final week, with many fans arguing that their elimination was a miscarriage of justice based purely on dance ability. Mark Ballas, a returning champion, expressed his pride in Whitney's journey, acknowledging the difficulty of the competition and the unpredictable nature of the viewer vote. The Semifinals proved to be the most dramatic night of Season 34, ensuring that the finale would be an absolute must-watch event.

The Season 34 journey highlighted the complex dynamics of the show: the technical excellence demanded by Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, the emotional connection emphasized by Carrie Ann Inaba, and the overwhelming influence of the public vote. For Whitney Leavitt, the experience was a showcase of talent, but ultimately, her popularity with the voting audience was not enough to overcome the fierce competition in the final weeks.