The 5 Most Shocking Moments Of DWTS Season 34: Who Went Home Just Before The Finale?

The lights dimmed on the ballroom stage, and the collective gasp from the audience confirmed what many fans had feared: a powerhouse couple was sent home just shy of the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. The most recent season of Dancing with the Stars, Season 34, which concluded in late 2024, delivered one of the most controversial Semifinals eliminations in recent memory. The result proved once again that high judge's scores are only half the battle, as viewer votes hold the ultimate power in the competition.

The couple who "went home" was TikTok sensation and reality star Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, two-time champion Mark Ballas. Their elimination in the Semifinals (Week 10) was a stunning upset, leaving fans and even some of the judges reeling, especially given their stellar performances and near-perfect scores that night. Their departure paved the way for the final four, but the conversation immediately shifted to whether the right couple had truly been saved.

Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas: A Shocking Semifinals Exit

The elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas from Dancing with the Stars Season 34 remains a major talking point for the franchise. Despite delivering some of their best routines of the season, the couple found themselves in the bottom two, ultimately being eliminated based on the combined total of judge's scores and audience votes. Their unexpected exit was a harsh reminder of the show's format, where popularity can sometimes outweigh technical skill.

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Whitney Leavitt: Celebrity Profile and Biography

• Full Name: Whitney Leavitt (née Ellis)
• Date of Birth: May 12, 1993
• Age (as of 2025): 32 years old
• Hometown: Utah, USA
• Primary Profession: Social Media Personality and Reality TV Star
• Known For: Gaining prominence as a TikTok sensation for her family, comedy, and vlog videos; appearing on the Hulu reality show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
• DWTS Season: Season 34 (Eliminated Semifinals)

Mark Ballas: Professional Partner Profile

• Full Name: Mark Alexander Ballas
• Date of Birth: May 24, 1986
• Hometown: Houston, Texas, USA
• Primary Profession: Professional Dancer, Choreographer, Singer-Songwriter
• Known For: Being a veteran professional partner on Dancing with the Stars; Two-time Mirrorball Trophy champion (Season 6 with Kristi Yamaguchi and Season 25 with Lindsey Stirling).
• DWTS Season 34 Return: Ballas made a highly anticipated return to the show for Season 34 after a two-year hiatus, making his pairing with Leavitt a significant storyline.

The Semifinals Showdown: Scores That Didn't Save Them

The Semifinals episode, often referred to as Week 10, saw the remaining couples perform two routines each. The pressure was immense, as a spot in the Grand Finale was on the line. For Whitney and Mark, their performances were critically acclaimed, yet the viewer voting ultimately sealed their fate.

The Near-Perfect Performances

Whitney and Mark delivered two stunning dances that showcased their journey and growth throughout the season. Their first dance, a powerful Cha-Cha, was praised for its energy and technical improvements. Their second routine, a beautiful Viennese Waltz, earned them one of the highest scores of the night.

• Dance 1: Cha-Cha (Specific Song)
• Dance 2: Viennese Waltz (Specific Song)
• Judge's Score: The couple received a final combined score of 55 out of 60 for the night. For one of their dances, they earned a near-perfect 29/30, with a rare 10 from judge Derek Hough.
• Leaderboard Placement: Despite their high scores, which placed them near the top of the leaderboard, the combination of judge's points and viewer votes placed them in the danger zone.

The high score of 55/60 was a testament to Whitney's dedication and Mark's expert choreography, yet it was not enough to overcome the voting deficit. This outcome sparked immediate outrage from viewers online, many of whom felt the couple was the "best dancer" to be eliminated on the series that season.

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The Final Four and the Road to the Mirrorball Trophy

Whitney and Mark's elimination solidified the four celebrity couples who would compete for the ultimate prize, the Mirrorball Trophy. The remaining contestants represented a diverse group of talent and fan bases, setting the stage for a highly competitive finale. This season, the level of competition was arguably one of the highest the show has ever seen, making every elimination a high-stakes event.

The couples who advanced to the Season 34 Grand Finale were:

1. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: The eventual winners, known for their infectious energy and consistent improvement.
2. Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: A strong contender who leveraged a massive social media following.
3. Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: The Olympic gymnast brought incredible athleticism and precision to the ballroom.
4. Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: The surprise dark horse of the season who consistently impressed the judges.

The elimination of Whitney and Mark highlighted a critical flaw, or perhaps a unique feature, of the DWTS voting system: a couple can be technically brilliant but still fall short if their combined fan base and judge support are not enough to secure a safe spot. This phenomenon often leads to "shocking" eliminations, as a small margin in viewer votes can send a top-scoring couple home.

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The Aftermath and Post-Show Reflection

Following their unexpected exit, both Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas spoke candidly about their journey. In post-show interviews, they admitted to having a "gut feeling" that their time was up, despite their strong performances. Ballas, a seasoned pro, expressed immense pride in Whitney's progress, noting that she had evolved into a true dancer over the course of the competition. Their bond was evident, and they even performed the freestyle routine they had prepared for the finale on a subsequent podcast appearance, giving fans a glimpse of what could have been.

Their story serves as a powerful reminder of the intense pressure and unpredictable nature of reality competition television. While the Mirrorball Trophy may have slipped from their grasp, the pair left an undeniable mark on Season 34, proving that sometimes, the most memorable moments are not the victories, but the unexpected goodbyes.