Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas’ Shocking DWTS Elimination: Who Went Home on Dancing With the Stars Tonight?
The ballroom shook on Dancing With the Stars Season 34 when Whitney Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas were unexpectedly eliminated during DWTS Week 10, leaving fans scrambling to understand what went wrong. For many viewers asking, “Who got eliminated on Dancing With the Stars tonight?”—the answer stunned almost everyone watching.
Their exit marked one of the most dramatic moments of the DWTS semi-finals, especially after they delivered what many considered their strongest routines of the season during the highly anticipated DWTS Prince Night, complete with iconic DWTS Prince Night songs. Despite earning high scores, the pair still fell victim to the unpredictable mix of judges’ marks and Dancing With the Stars voting, proving once again that nothing is guaranteed—not even for fan favorites.
The Big Reveal: Who Was Eliminated?
On November 18, 2025, DWTS aired its semi-final episode. According to multiple sources including People and Forbes, the pair Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas were eliminated despite finishing the night with one of the strongest scores of the evening.
It was a surprising result: Whitney Leavitt, a social-media personality, and veteran pro Mark Ballas pulled off routines that earned them high praise and third-highest total score of the night (58 points). Yet their combined judges’ score plus audience voting didn’t secure them a spot in next week’s finale.
Why the Elimination Shocked Viewers
Several factors combined to make this elimination feel especially unexpected:
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High judges’ score: Third highest of the night meant the duo had proved themselves technically. The judges seemed sold.
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Live voting pressure: This season is tied for being one of the most competitive in years; even strong performances aren’t guaranteed safety. TheWrap+1
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Semi-final stakes: Going into the semi-finals, the competition had already thinned. Fans expected familiar faces to make the final round.
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Emotional arc and momentum: Whitney & Mark had built strong viewer sympathy and momentum, making their exit a “shock upset” in the eyes of many recap writers. Forbes
What Happened on the Dance Floor
During the Prince-themed episode, the routines were set to iconic songs and incorporated inspired choreography that referenced the late singer’s legacy.
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Whitney and Mark danced a cha-cha to Prince’s “1999” and a Viennese waltz to “Slow Love.” Despite both being executed with confidence, the result was elimination. E! Online
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Judges complimented their technique and expressive lifts; however, audience voting is the wildcard in this format.
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After the announcement, Whitney looked visibly emotional, as fans and critics alike acknowledged the bittersweet moment.
Voting, Judges & Format: How DWTS Eliminations Work
To appreciate the elimination fully, it helps to understand the show’s format:
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Each week, celebrity-pro pairs perform one or more unlearned dances. Judges give scores (usually three or four per routine).
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Audience votes are collected live (via phone/app). The judges’ scores plus viewer votes determine who stays and who goes home.
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As the season progresses into semi-finals and finals, expectations, risk and performance pressure all ramp up.
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This season (#34) has been touted as particularly strong, with pro-dancers, celebrity pairs and themed nights pushing boundaries. Wikipedia+1
Reaction from Whitney, Mark & the Ballroom Community
Immediately after their elimination, Whitney took to social media to thank her fans for the journey. Though disappointment was clear, she emphasized gratitude for the experience and for her partner Mark. Many professional dancers posted their support, acknowledging how difficult this particular week was.
Mark Ballas—veteran pro known for multiple Mirrorball trophies—also shared a heartfelt message about the season, praising Whitney’s resilience and noting how proud he was of her growth throughout the competition.
Fans flooded Twitter/X and Instagram with mixed emotions: many expressed sadness that Whitney & Mark’s high-score performance wasn’t enough; others pointed to the unpredictability of live audience voting and speculated that stronger social-media voting blocs for other couples may have shifted the neck-and-neck results.
What It Means for the Remaining Couples
With Whitney & Mark gone, the remaining dancers have a clearer path—and a higher pressure—to step into the final. The elimination signals a few key shifts:
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The competition is open: When a frontrunner is eliminated, it signals to all remaining pairs that no one is safe.
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Audience engagement matters: Technical skill alone doesn’t guarantee survival. Social reach, viewer engagement, and fan voting percentages are now more important than ever.
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Momentum can shift: For the remaining contestants, this is a moment to capitalize. They must bring their best to the finale to avoid the same fate.
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Storylines take center stage: As we approach the finale, narrative arcs (comeback stories, underdog victories, redemption) become important not just for entertainment, but for votes.
A Look Back at Whitney & Mark’s Journey on Season 34
Let’s reflect on how Whitney and Mark navigated Season 34:
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Casting and expectations: Whitney Leavitt entered the show with a large social-media following and pop-culture visibility; pairing her with Mark Ballas suggested the producers were aiming for a strong viewer-voted contender.
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Early performances: Throughout the earlier weeks, Whitney & Mark delivered consistently strong dances and began shaping a story of growth.
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Building fan base: Whitney’s online presence and downloadable votes could have been an advantage—but evidently it wasn’t enough in this case.
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Semi-final stumble?: Even though their score was high, the live vote may have still trailed. The math behind the scenes could not overcome that gap.
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Post-exit commentary: Many commentators and fans pointed out that although technically strong, Whitney’s charisma and connection may not have matched the emotional pull of other contestants who built stronger narratives.
Bigger Picture: What This Elimination Says About Reality TV Competitions
This week’s exit offers broader lessons for DWTS and similar formats:
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Talent versus popularity: Skill matters—but so does the ability to mobilize votes. Reality competitions are half dance and half marketing.
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The danger of complacency: Being consistently safe is not enough. A surge, a standout night, or a narrative boost are often required to secure the final spots.
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Viewer unpredictability: Live voting means surprises happen. This season’s elimination shows that even strong scores cannot guarantee safety.
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Narrative over number: Often the story behind a contestant (underdog, comeback, personal struggle) galvanizes votes more than perfect technique.
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Season momentum matters: As the weeks go by, each pair’s arc and fan-engagement strategy become more critical.
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Semi-final pressure cooker: As the competition narrows, the margin for error shrinks. Every detail—from dress to tweet to social post—counts.
Who Is Left on Dancing With the Stars?
In the race for the 2025 Mirrorball Trophy, competitors still in the running include:
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Robert Irwin Dancing With the Stars favorite (prompting “Is Robert Irwin still on Dancing With the Stars?”—the answer is yes)
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Alix Earle Dancing With the Stars standout
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Additional finalists from the DWTS cast 2025
The official DWTS finalists will compete on the Dancing With the Stars finale, answering this top question:
How many couples go to DWTS finale?
Typically three, though sometimes four depending on ABC’s final format.
Tips for Viewers and Fans
If you’re following the show closely, here are some suggestions:
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Tune in live: Audience votes matter. Watching live rather than on delay gives you full context.
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Engage on social media: Hashtags, fan posts, live voting—all increase visibility and influence.
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Track scores and trends: Keeping an eye on weekly leaderboard trends may give clues as to who’s vulnerable.
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Enjoy performance arcs: Beyond just the elimination, the growth journeys and stories are part of the emotional payoff for fans.
The elimination of Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas from Dancing With the Stars Season 34 won’t soon be forgotten. It underlined how fiercely competitive the show has become, how close the margins are, and how being technically strong is no longer enough. For fans, it was a reminder that live reality TV is full of surprises—and that the road to the Mirrorball Trophy is just as much about strategy, narrative and social connection as it is about perfect foxtrots and dazzling lifts.
Next week’s finale promises to be a high-stakes dance spectacular, and with one fewer contender, the spotlight now shines even brighter on the remaining couples. For those still in the running—and for viewers at home—the message is clear: the stage is set, the stakes are higher than ever, and every vote counts.
Stay tuned, fan the flame, and let the dances begin.
Who Is Whitney Leavitt?
Before she became known as Whitney Leavitt Dancing With the Stars, the Utah-born influencer rose to fame on social media through high-energy dance videos and her appearances on the reality series centered around modern Mormon culture. For fans searching “Who is Whitney Leavitt?” or “Whitney DWTS,” here’s a quick snapshot:
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Social media creator with millions of followers
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Cast member of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives
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Mom of three
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Passionate lifelong dancer
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First-time contestant on Dancing With the Stars 2025
Her talent, charisma, and growth throughout the season made her an early standout in the DWTS Season 34 cast. Many believed Whitney and Mark would make the DWTS finale 2025—until their unexpected exit.
8 Lesser-Known Facts About Whitney Leavitt
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Hometown Star in Utah: Whitney grew up in Happy Valley, Utah, where dance was part of her upbringing. People.com
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MomTok Origin: Before DWTS, Whitney built social-media fame via the MomTok community, reconnecting with her childhood love of dance through short-form videos. People.com
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Health Journey: She publicly shared her weight-loss journey, including use of a GLP-1 medication that helped her lose 20 lbs before she stopped due to side-effects. People.com
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Show Return Motivation: Reports indicate she rejoined The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives partly to position herself for the DWTS audition. Decider
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High Scores but No Finale: Despite technical mastery, Whitney & Mark were eliminated when they still earned a top score — a reminder that DWTS is not just about skill but also viewer engagement. Pajiba
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Rapid Growth in the Ballroom: Her progression on DWTS was noted as steep — from someone returning to dance as a passion to competing at one of television’s biggest stages.
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Social Media Leverage: Whitney’s large digital following (TikTok + Instagram) was seen as an asset, yet didn’t guarantee safety in the competition, underscoring the complex formula of DWTS success.
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Future Ambitions: After her DWTS exit, Whitney expressed gratitude for the experience and stated her goal is to inspire her children by showing them what pursuing a dream looks like. Cosmopolitan+1
