The Shocking Truth Behind Whitney Leavitt And Mark Ballas's DWTS Elimination: Why Fans Blamed Carrie Ann Inaba

The ballroom drama reached a fever pitch this season, culminating in a semi-final elimination that left fans absolutely reeling and questioning the fairness of the judging system. As of December 12, 2025, the most talked-about exit from Dancing with the Stars Season 34 remains the shocking departure of reality star Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, Mark Ballas, just one week shy of the grand finale. Their exit, despite consistently strong performances and high scores, has sparked intense debate across social media, with many viewers pointing the finger directly at one of the veteran judges.

The controversy stems from the crucial "Prince Night" semi-finals, where the duo, who had been dark horses for the Mirrorball Trophy, found themselves in the bottom two. Their elimination highlighted the volatile combination of judges' scores and viewer votes, proving that even near-perfect technique is no guarantee of safety in the unforgiving world of live reality competition. The fallout has dominated the discourse, overshadowing even the ultimate crowning of the season's champion.

The Shocking Semi-Final Exit: Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas

The elimination of Whitney Leavitt, known for her role on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and her partner, two-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas, was the most controversial moment of Season 34. The pair were eliminated during the semi-finals, a night themed around the legendary musician Prince.

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• Celebrity: Whitney Leavitt (Reality Star, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives)
• Professional Partner: Mark Ballas (Two-time Mirrorball Champion)
• Elimination Episode: Semi-Finals, "Prince Night"
• Date of Episode: November 2025 (Prior to the December 2, 2025 Finale)
• Dances Performed: A passionate Cha-Cha and a moving Viennese Waltz.
• Controversy: Fans were outraged, citing the pair's consistently high scores and the perceived unfairness of the combined scoring system.

Leavitt and Ballas had been a formidable couple throughout the competition, often earning high praise from the judges, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. Their elimination was particularly stinging because they had tied for second place on the leader board just prior to the final tally of votes and scores, proving their technical skill was among the best remaining.

Fan Backlash and the Carrie Ann Inaba Controversy

The overwhelming fan reaction to the semi-final elimination was one of disbelief and anger. Social media platforms exploded with comments expressing shock that a couple with such strong performances could be sent home so close to the finish line. The term "shocking elimination" was trending for days after the episode aired.

A significant portion of the audience directed their frustration at judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Fans accused Inaba of being overly harsh or inconsistent with her critiques of the couple, suggesting her scores were lower than deserved and ultimately contributed to their placement in the bottom two.

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One major point of contention was the perceived bias in judging, where a few points difference from one judge could completely alter the outcome when combined with millions of viewer votes. Despite the uproar, the show's format remained firm: the couple with the lowest combined score and vote total must go home. Mark Ballas himself later commented that he had a "gut feeling" their time was coming to an end, despite their near-perfect scores.

The semi-finals also saw the elimination of another strong contender, actor Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater, which further fueled the debate over the season's unpredictable nature. The double elimination on "Prince Night" was a brutal culling of the competition, setting the stage for one of the tightest finales in recent memory.

The DWTS Season 34 Grand Finale: The Finalists and The Winner

Following the controversial semi-final, the remaining couples moved on to the highly anticipated Season 34 Grand Finale, which took place on December 2, 2025. The final night of competition was a spectacular three-hour event where the remaining finalists performed multiple dances, including a reprise of a favorite routine and a high-stakes freestyle.

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The competition was fierce, with the finalists pushing their limits to claim the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. The final four couples who competed for the title were:

• Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
• Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
• Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
• A fourth couple (often the one with the next-highest cumulative score)

Robert Irwin Crowned DWTS Season 34 Champion

In the end, it was wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, and his professional partner Witney Carson who were crowned the champions of Dancing with the Stars Season 34.

Irwin and Carson won the competition after receiving the highest combined total of judges' scores and viewer votes. Their journey was marked by consistent improvement, emotional performances, and a strong connection with the audience, which ultimately secured them the win. Social media star Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy finished as the runners-up in a very tight race.

The Season 34 finale brought an end to a season full of incredible dancing, emotional highs, and, of course, the kind of dramatic eliminations that keep fans talking long after the Mirrorball Trophy is awarded. The controversy surrounding Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas's exit, however, serves as a powerful reminder of how much the audience's vote truly matters in the high-stakes environment of live television. The debate over judges' scoring versus public opinion will undoubtedly continue into the next season.