The curtain has officially closed on the most recent season of *Dancing with the Stars*, and the final elimination—which determined the 2025 champion—left fans reeling. The fierce competition of Season 34 culminated in a dramatic finale on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, where five celebrity-pro couples vied for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The final elimination of the night was, of course, the announcement of the runner-up, but the most recent celebrity to be voted off just before the top four was actress Elaine Hendrix.
This season, which saw the return of hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, was packed with high-scoring routines and stunning upsets, particularly in the later weeks. The ultimate victor, Robert Irwin, continued his family's legacy, but the journey to the top was paved with the elimination of several fan-favorite stars.
The Final Elimination & Full Season 34 Ranking (2025)
The finale of *Dancing with the Stars* Season 34 was a nail-biting affair that saw five couples competing for the title. Unlike regular weeks where only one couple is eliminated, the finale reveals the final placement of the remaining couples, with the celebrity in 5th place being the first "eliminated" of the night, followed by 4th, 3rd, and 2nd place.
The final elimination of the season, and the celebrity who finished in 5th place, was *The Parent Trap* star Elaine Hendrix. She and her professional partner, Alan Bersten, delivered a stunning performance but ultimately fell short in the combination of judges' scores and viewer votes. The ultimate victor was conservationist Robert Irwin, who took home the Mirrorball Trophy ten years after his sister, Bindi Irwin, won the competition.
Here is the complete ranking of the final five couples from *Dancing with the Stars* Season 34:
- Winner: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
- Runner-Up (2nd Place): Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
- 3rd Place: Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
- 4th Place: Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
- 5th Place (Eliminated in Finale): Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
The Last Shocking Elimination Before the Finale
While the finale determines the final ranking, the last true elimination before the final round of competition took place during the Semifinals, which was themed "Prince Night." This crucial elimination determined the five couples who would advance to the finale.
The celebrity sent home in the Semifinals was reality star Whitney Leavitt and her partner, Mark Ballas. This elimination was particularly shocking to many viewers because the couple had consistently scored well and were often near the top of the leaderboard throughout the season. Their departure was a clear demonstration of the immense power of the viewer vote in the later stages of the competition, proving that high judges’ scores are not enough to guarantee a spot in the final.
Whitney Leavitt's elimination meant that the five finalists—Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron, and Elaine Hendrix—would all be competing for the title, making it one of the most competitive finales in recent memory.
A Week-by-Week Look at Every Elimination
Season 34 featured a diverse cast of celebrities, including Olympians, actors, and social media personalities. The road to the Mirrorball Trophy was a grueling one, with eliminations starting as early as Week 2. The judges, Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, were tough critics all season, but ultimately, the audience's votes determined the fate of the stars.
Here is the complete, week-by-week elimination order for *Dancing with the Stars* Season 34 (2025):
- Week 1 (Premiere): No Elimination
- Week 2 (Double Elimination): Baron Davis and Britt Stewart, and Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson
- Week 3: Elimination not confirmed in available data (Likely a single elimination to thin the herd)
- Week 4: Elimination not confirmed in available data
- Week 5: Elimination not confirmed in available data
- Week 6: Elimination not confirmed in available data
- Week 7: Jennifer Affleck and Jan (Likely a single elimination)
- Week 8 (Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night): Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov
- Week 9: Andy Richter and Emma Slater
- Week 10 (Semifinials - Prince Night): Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas
- Week 11 (Finale - 5th Place): Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
- Week 11 (Finale - 4th Place): Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
- Week 11 (Finale - 3rd Place): Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
- Week 11 (Finale - Runner-Up): Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
- Week 11 (Finale - Winner): Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
Topical Authority: The Stories Behind the Finalists
The final five couples represented some of the biggest names and most compelling storylines of the season, adding significant topical authority to the competition. Their journey, often covered by hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, captivated millions of viewers.
Robert Irwin: The Conservationist Champion
Robert Irwin, the son of the legendary "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, entered the competition with high expectations, following in the footsteps of his sister, Bindi Irwin, a former champion. The 21-year-old wildlife conservationist and nature photographer quickly became a fan favorite, consistently delivering powerful and emotional routines. Despite battling a rib injury late in the season, his partnership with pro Witney Carson was a powerhouse, culminating in a well-deserved victory and the winning of the Mirrorball Trophy.
Alix Earle: The Social Media Sensation
Runner-up Alix Earle, a major social media influencer, proved she was more than just a TikTok star. Paired with pro Val Chmerkovskiy, Earle showed incredible growth throughout the season. Her journey was marked by a commitment to mastering complex ballroom and Latin dances, with her final performances earning near-perfect scores from the judges. Her second-place finish cemented her status as a genuine competitor and a breakout star of the season.
Dylan Efron: The Unexpected Star
Finishing in 4th place was Dylan Efron, the younger brother of actor Zac Efron and a successful content creator and producer in his own right. Efron, who was known for winning the reality competition show *The Traitors*, surprised many with his natural rhythm and stage presence alongside pro Daniella Karagach. His run on *DWTS* allowed him to step out of his famous brother's shadow and embrace the "uncomfortable" challenge of live performance.
Elaine Hendrix: The Veteran Performer's Comeback
Actress Elaine Hendrix, best known for her iconic role as Meredith Blake in *The Parent Trap*, was the first celebrity eliminated in the finale, finishing in 5th place. Hendrix revealed during the season that she was a former professional dancer whose career was cut short by a car accident in 1992. Her participation in *DWTS* was a deeply personal comeback, allowing her to finally live out her dancing dreams on a national stage with pro Alan Bersten.
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