The Shocking Semifinals Exit: Who Was Eliminated In DWTS Last Night And Why Fans Are Furious

The lights dimmed, the scores were tallied, and the ballroom was left reeling. As of today, December 18, 2025, the most recent and arguably most controversial elimination of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 saw a high-scoring fan-favorite couple sent home just shy of the Mirrorball Trophy. The semifinals delivered a stunning and emotional blow, proving once again that the combination of judges' scores and viewer votes can lead to the most unexpected results, sparking a firestorm of discussion across social media about the fairness of the voting system.

The couple who faced the music and were sent packing were reality TV star and social media personality Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, two-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas. Their exit was shocking because they were one of the highest-scoring couples of the night, tying for second place on the leaderboard. This deep dive will explore Leavitt's journey, the details of her final dances, and the dramatic fan reaction that followed her surprising departure from the competition.

Whitney Leavitt: Biography, Partner, and DWTS Journey

Whitney Leavitt's presence on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars was a major talking point from the start, bringing a massive social media following and a background rooted in the viral "MomTok" community. Her partnership with veteran pro Mark Ballas was highly anticipated, and the duo consistently delivered strong, technically proficient performances throughout the season.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

Whitney Leavitt Profile

• Full Name: Whitney Leavitt (née Ellis)
• Born: May 12, 1993
• Age: 32 (as of 2025)
• Hometown: Utah, U.S.
• Known For: Reality TV star on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, one of the original "MomTok" personalities, media personality, dancer, performer, and actress.
• Professional Partner: Mark Ballas (Two-time DWTS Champion)
• DWTS Season: 34
• Elimination: Semifinals (Week 9/10), November 2025

Leavitt and Ballas quickly established themselves as dark horses in the competition. While she entered the show with some pre-existing dance experience, her transition to the intricate world of ballroom and Latin was lauded by the judges. Their early routines, including a powerful Paso Doble and a charming Foxtrot, showcased Leavitt's natural stage presence and Ballas's masterful choreography. They were praised for their chemistry and commitment to character, steadily climbing the leaderboard as the weeks progressed.

The Semifinals Showdown: High Scores and Low Votes

The Semifinals night is historically one of the most intense episodes, requiring each celebrity to perform two separate, demanding routines. For Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, the night was a technical success, but ultimately a heartbreaking failure in terms of viewer votes. They performed a Cha-cha and a Viennese Waltz, both of which were described as near-flawless by the judging panel.

The Final Dances and Judges' Scores

The couple's performance was spectacular, earning them scores that placed them at the very top of the leaderboard, proving their technical prowess and growth throughout the competition.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

• Dance 1: Cha-cha - A vibrant and sharp routine that showcased Leavitt's Latin hip action.
• Dance 2: Viennese Waltz - A beautifully flowing and emotional performance, which many fans and judges considered her best dance of the season.

The judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough—were effusive in their praise. For their two dances, Whitney and Mark earned a combined score of 58 out of a possible 60 points, tying them for second place on the leaderboard. This score put them above several other couples who ultimately advanced to the finale, including fan-favorites who had struggled with lower scores in previous weeks. The high score made the subsequent elimination announcement even more dramatic and unexpected.

The Shocking Elimination and Fan Fury

When co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced the results, the ballroom fell silent. The two couples in the bottom were Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, and another strong contender, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach. Despite their near-perfect scores, it was Whitney and Mark who were ultimately eliminated due to receiving the lowest combined total of judges' scores and viewer votes.

The reaction from the audience, both in the studio and online, was immediate and furious. The term "shocking semifinals elimination" trended globally, with many viewers expressing outrage that a couple with such a high score was sent home. This situation reignited the long-standing debate among the DWTS fanbase about the weight of the judges' scores versus the power of the popular vote. Many felt that Leavitt was one of the "best dancers" remaining in the competition and her elimination was a clear injustice.

• Shania Twains Bold Statement Why The Star Chose Nude Photoshoots At 57 Qf9cg

The Role of Viewer Votes in DWTS

The elimination of high-scoring couples like Whitney Leavitt is a recurring theme that highlights the volatile nature of the competition. While the judges' scores account for 50% of the final decision, the viewer votes make up the other critical 50%. This structure means that a celebrity with a massive, dedicated fanbase—even if they score lower—can easily outlast a technically superior dancer who lacks the same level of popular support.

• The "MomTok" Factor: Despite her large social media presence, it appears Leavitt's dedicated fanbase did not translate into enough raw votes to overcome the popularity of other contestants.
• Competitive Field: Season 34 was highly competitive, featuring other popular personalities such as Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, and Jordan Chiles, all of whom have massive, engaged followings.
• The Semifinals Pressure: The stakes are highest in the semifinals, where fans of all remaining couples mobilize their votes, often leading to surprising results as the vote is split across fewer couples.

In their exit interview, both Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas expressed gratitude for the journey, though Ballas noted that the result was part of the show's unpredictable nature. Leavitt, however, quickly transitioned the momentum into a new opportunity, revealing that her DWTS journey helped her land a role in the Broadway production of Chicago, showcasing her resilience and talent beyond the ballroom.

The Ultimate Conclusion: Who Went On to Win?

With Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas eliminated in the Semifinals, the remaining couples moved on to the highly anticipated Season 34 Finale. The finalists performed two more dances—a redemption dance and a show-stopping freestyle—to secure the Mirrorball Trophy. The final night was a spectacular display of talent, but only one couple could be crowned champion.

The ultimate winners of Dancing with the Stars Season 34 were Robert Irwin and Witney Carson. The son of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, Robert Irwin's endearing personality, genuine enthusiasm, and incredible improvement throughout the season resonated deeply with both the judges and the record-breaking 72 million viewers who cast their votes. His emotional journey and consistent performances, particularly his Freestyle, sealed the deal, giving Witney Carson her second Mirrorball Trophy and concluding one of the most memorable seasons in the show's history.

While the elimination of Whitney Leavitt remains a controversial moment, her journey, along with the triumphant win of Robert Irwin, solidifies Season 34 as a testament to the power of public opinion, the unpredictable nature of live competition, and the enduring magic of the Dancing with the Stars ballroom.