
Dancing with the Stars‘ Dedication Night honored the people who have had the biggest impacts on the lives of the stars. The remaining nine contestants and their partners hit the ballroom floor for emotional performances to be judged by Carrie Ann, Derek, Bruno, and guest judge and three-time Mirrorball winner Mark Ballas. Derek Hough and his wife Hayley Erbert Hough also danced to celebrate Hayley’s recovery and return to dance after emergency surgery due to a major brain bleed.
This week was all about support. As the stars shared the stories of their mentors and idols, the judges also visited their rehearsals to give them extra tips on improving their moves at the halfway point of the competition.
Chandler and Brandon

Chandler and Brandon were finally pushed from the top of the leaderboard last week, and they were set on reclaiming it. Chandler dedicated her contemporary performance to her mother for supporting her dreams. She and Brandon brought this emotional performance about motherly love together with technical and emotional advice from Derek. Derek was impressed by the quality of the final performance. Mark was as well, but he encouraged Chandler to dig even deeper.
Total Score: 32/40
Stephen and Rylee

Last week Stephen and Rylee rocked it! Stephen wanted even higher scores this week. Instead of dedicating his Argentine tango to a person, Stephen chose to dedicate it to men’s gymnastics which gave him a career and all of his success. He worked with Bruno to get into character and exude confidence. “Now we are in business!” Bruno shouted after this performance, praising Stephen for leading the dance. The judges agreed that this was a stand-out dance, and Stephen earned his first nine!
Total Score: 33/40
Danny and Witney

Carrie Ann brought her expertise to Danny’s contemporary performance. Danny dedicated his dance to his late college football coach. His biggest struggle with this dance was connecting the dance with the emotion. On the dance floor, this wasn’t the case. Carrie Ann encouraged the audience to cheer on Danny and his breakthrough in dance. Derek and Mark praised Danny’s effort to learn dance and bring his athleticism into it.
Total Score: 36/40
Dwight and Daniella

Last week’s two-part special didn’t go entirely according to plan for Dwight and Daniella, but like a true athlete, Dwight came back in the second half. This week, he worked with Derek to hold onto his title of “Comeback King” and create a dance dedicated to his five children. They used the rumba to translate Dwight’s love for his kids into movement (and they joined him on the floor after the dance!). “When I watch you dance, I can’t help but smile,” Derek said after this performance. Mark agreed, but wanted to see ore smooth and rhythmic hip action from Dwight in the future.
Total Score: 29/40
Phaedra and Val

Gene Simmons brought Phaedra’s score down last week, giving her a five while the remaining judges each gave her a seven. This week, Phaedra wanted to attack the rumba and bring up her scores with a dance dedicated to her mother. During rehearsal, Bruno advised Phaedra to let go and move through the dance instead of letting Val move her around himself. “I can feel it. I can see you,” Bruno said, holding Phaedra’s hands over the judges’ desk. Her growth was obvious to all of the judges, and Derek even snapped the handle off a five-point paddle which Val kicked across the ballroom.
Total Score: 32/40
Brooks and Gleb

After some confusion with Gene Simmons’ score last week, Brooks and Gleb wanted to earn a 10 for real. Carrie Ann guided Brooks to 10 status, reminding her to extend and connect every movement. This salsa also featured Brooks’ three sisters to whom she dedicated the song. “I saw it! You did it,” Carrie Ann said. Derek thought her steps were a little big, and Mark wanted to see her get lower into the dance to improve even further.
Total Score: 32/40
Joey and Jenna

Joey took lessons from Bruno to improve his rotations and form, to hold onto his spot at the top of the leaderboard. He dedicated his Viennese waltz to his fiancee Kelsey. After their performance, Bruno said Joey exceeded his expectations and danced smoothly with confidence and authority. Derek and Carrie Ann disagreed over critiques on technique, and Mark praised Joey for flying across the floor.
Total Score: 36/40
Ilona and Alan

After some harsh feedback from the judges, Ilona found herself in tears on Hair Metal Night. She wanted to come back this week and prove her strength and developing skills in a rumba dedicated to her US Olympics Rugby 7s teammates. Carrie Ann worked to bring out Ilona’s fun and femininity to make her comfortable in the dance. Clearly, Ilona did it, bringing Carrie Ann to tears with her performance. Bruno praised her for being determined to succeed.
Total Score: 32/40
Jenn and Sasha

Jenn dedicated her foxtrot to Taylor Swift who she said supported her via music and showed her that vulnerability is good. With advice from Derek, they worked to create an emotional performance to “The Archer” that brought out fluid movement and precision. After they performed, Derek said the dance was a wonderful way to end the show, giving her small critiques. Mark praised her for throwing herself into the dance and advised that she smooth out her movements and lock in her frame.
Total Score: 32/40
The Elimination

Even with the judges’ help and an incredible night of improvement, one couple had to say goodbye to the ballroom this week. Last on stage after Julianne and Alfonso announced the safe couples were Chandler and Brandon, Dwight and Daniella, and Brooks and Gleb. The judges’ scores and audience votes left Brooks and Gleb at the bottom. Brooks seemed shocked to hear her name called, but she and Gleb expressed how much they enjoyed this season.
Next week, DWTS returns for Disney Night. The contestants will also have to work together for the first time in this season’s team dances. You can watch live on ABC, Tuesday, October 22 at 8pm ET.