Dancing With the Stars’ non-elimination week came as a surprise to the cast — and a former pro dancer.
“I was hoping for an elimination,” Peta Murgatroyd said on the Friday, October 17, episode of her “Penthouse With Peta” podcast, recapping this week’s Dedication Night with fellow alum Sharna Burgess. “Not like that’s a terrible thing to say, but someone’s got to go home.”
During the Tuesday, October 14, live episode, the DWTS couples performed emotional tributes to a special person in each star’s life. At the end of the night, cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough revealed that there wouldn’t be an elimination and all votes would roll over to next week.
“I know why they don’t because it’s a sad situation,” Murgatroyd, 39, noted on her podcast of the decision to avoid eliminating a couple in the wake of such emotional performances. “But, I’m in two minds about it because Elaine [Hendrix] coming down and speaking at the end with Andy [Richter] was really sweet. They [were] so elated and happy that everyone made it through.”
Jordan Chiles and partner Ezra Sosa were fully prepared to say goodbye to another Dancing With the Stars duo on Dedication Night. Following the emotional performances on Tuesday, October 14, Chiles, 24, exclusively told Us Weekly that the no elimination twist was “the most devastating thing ever.” “I think this was the first time I […]
While Murgatroyd was equally happy for Hendrix, 54, Richter, 58, and the rest of the mirrorball hopefuls, she still was expecting an elimination. (Hendrix and Richter shared a sweet hug on the ballroom floor after Ribeiro’s announcement.)
Burgess, 40, however, thought the non-elimination was signaling another twist up ahead.
“Are team dances next week?” Burgess questioned, referring to the pairings splitting into groups to perform a joint routine in the ballroom. “I figured [they decided not to eliminate anyone] because they need an even number of couples.”
It’s not known whether season 34 will include team dances, but the stars were just as confused as Murgatroyd and Burgess when no one went home on Tuesday. Contestant Jordan Chiles, for her part, exclusively told Us that the twist was “the most devastating thing ever.”
‘DWTS’ Dedication Night. Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
“I think this was the first time I was like, ‘We’re in elimination and what is happening?’ Only because we rehearsed it. We rehearsed everything going on,” Chiles, 24, told Us on Tuesday of the pre-show dress rehearsal. “I think everybody — not even just us — but everybody’s moods were just like, ‘Are you serious right now?’ I was pissed, personally.”
Chiles’ dance partner, Ezra Sosa, was similarly confused by the switch.
“You can’t play these mind games with us. That’s not right,” Sosa, 24, quipped to Us. “It’s almost worse. You’re going to line us up? No, girl. No. Send someone home. Just do it. Come on.”
Dancing With the Stars‘ Dedication Night brought out plenty of emotions both in and out of the ballroom — including confusion. Pro Jenna Johnson gave her hot takes about each performance during the Thursday, October 16, episode of the “Dancing With the Stars Official Podcast,” hosted by her season 33 partner, Joey Graziadei. Johnson, 31, […]
Now, Hendrix, Richter, Chiles and the rest of remaining season 34 partners will return for Wicked Night next week featuring guest judge Jon M. Chu, who directed Wicked and the upcoming Wicked: For Good.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
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