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Jordan Leads Her Dad in the Ballroom with Their Viennese Waltz
9 minutes ago
Jordan dedicated her dance to her father Timothy. “He is my truest heart,” she said during rehearsal.
Jordan explained that it was her dad who decided to put her in gymnastics as a child to help with her ADHD. “He helped start my career in gymnastics.”
While telling her story, partner Ezra Sosa broke down in tears calling their story “healing” because “I don’t have a relationship with my own.” Jordan said she appreciates that Ezra is allowing her dad to be one to him.
“I’m so proud,” Timothy said. “I hope after this dance, I hope dads call their daughters and young ladies call their dads.”
She began her Viennese Waltz to “Daughters” by John Mayer with Ezra, and spent a lot of the time on the floor leading her father through the routine.
Carrie Ann praised the “respect and love” Timothy had by showing up and doing “pretty much the whole dance” with Jordan.
Derek said watching them made him excited to have that same moment with his child, stopping himself before revealing the gender of his baby on the way.
Kym said it “doesn’t get much better than a father-daughter dance” and praised the amount of time they danced together during the routine.
Bruno said he’s “so proud” of Jordan getting “better and better” each week.
Score: 32/40
Dylan Is the Best Big Brother with His Baby Sister Olivia
25 minutes ago
This week, Dylan Efron is dancing with his little sister, Olivia, to a song by his older brother, actor Zac Efron.
“I wasn’t expecting to be a big brother,” Dylan said, noting Olivia is 5 and he’s 33 years old. “But immediately, I was inseparable from her. She means the world to me.”
Dancing to “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman, performed by Zac and Zendaya, Dylan started choking up, saying it’s a nod to his brother Zac, who “always took care of me.” Adding, “I want to be the best role model I can” for Olivia.
“I just like being with Dylan, he’s my best friend,” Olivia said at practice. “I just feel like I’m free with him.”
“This is definitely the best moment in the show so far for me” said Dylan in tears.
The dance kicked off with Dylan and Olivia twirling together on stage, before he joined partner Daniella Karagach for their contemporary routine. His sister ran up to him at the end of their dance. “It was so much fun,” Olivia declared.
Bruno said Olivia had perfectly pointed toes, while saying Dylan is getting “better and better” every week.
Carrie Ann said Olivia is “incredible” and Dylan “made her night” calling the performance “brilliant.”
Derek called out Dylan saying, “I hate you. You’re a great guy, you’re in shape, you can dance and you’re a great brother? Come on man!”
Kym remarked that Dylan’s “improving” and becoming “such a great dancer” each week.
Score: 36/40
Jen Breaks Down in Tears Honoring Her Mom
37 minutes ago
Jen Affleck is dedicating her dance to her mom, who was raised in Ecuador and moved to the U.S. at age 26. “To me, my mom is just a warrior,” said Jen. “Because of her sacrifice, I have everything that I have right now.”
She hit the ballroom with partner Jan Ravnik dancing a Viennese Waltz to “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle.
Jen’s mother joined towards the end and left the stage fighting back tears.
“I could feel the love between the two of you,” said Kym, while adding a critique about Jen’s form.
Bruno gave a note about follow through, while Carrie Ann called the dance Jen’s most “passionate yet.”
“It was graceful, it was beautiful,” added Derek.
In the skybox, Jen got emotional, saying she didn’t realize how much her mom went through until she became a mom herself.
Score: 29/40
Whitney’s Husband Wows the Judges
46 minutes ago
Whitney is dedicating her dance to her husband, Conner. During rehearsal, Whitney praised him for giving up his job to move to L.A. with their children for her to compete on the show.
Partner Mark Ballas explained he’s playing the role of “fame” in their contemporary dance, depicting something trying to keep Whitney and Conner apart. Conner broke down in tears reflecting on their “trying times” and praising her decision to stay in the relationship.
The trio danced to “Heal” by Jamal Roberts, which wowed the judges.
“Dancing is so healing,” said Derek, before saying Conner is “a dancer!” Derek pointed out one mistake, but praised her
Kym said she’s loved watching Whitney every week, while Bruno said he’s “breathless” by their “ambitious routine.”
Carrie Ann broke down in tears saying “you bring me to a place of emotion that’s hard to put into words and it’s why some of us became dancers for this,” for a “way to cope with emotions.” She added at the end that Whitney slightly went “out of sync” but said it was “amazing.”
Score: 33/40
Elaine Is Supported by Her Parent Trap Costars Dennis Quaid and Lisa Ann Walter
56 minutes ago
Elaine said she’s been on “cloud nine” since her high score of 24/30 last week.
This week, she’s joined by her “bestie,” actress and Parent Trap costar, Lisa Ann Walter. Elaine explained that after her mother died, Lisa was the first person she called, and Lisa promised her she will “never be alone.”
“I hope I don’t screw it up for you guys,” Lisa Ann said when she joined Elaine and partner Alan Bersten at practice.
The pair hit the ballroom to perform the foxtrot to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole, a song that was included in The Parent Trap.
Shortly into the dance, Lisa Ann joined for a three-person foxtrot. When they finished, the camera caught their Parent Trap costar Dennis Quaid supporting them in the audience.
“What a wonderful way to celebrate friendship,” Carrie Ann told them.
Derek called out Lisa’s strong “pivots” while he critiqued Elaine’s shoulder placement.
“That made my heart happy,” said Kym, while giving Elaine a pointer on arm placement.
Bruno exclaimed that it looked like they had a “very good time” and compared Elaine to Ginger Rogers. “Pure Hollywood,” he said.
Score: 30/40
Robert Breaks Down in Tears Honoring His Mom Terri
1 hr 8 min ago
Robert Irwin calls mom, Terri Irwin, an “absolute hero” who was raised him after his father Steve Irwin died when Robert was 2 years old.
As Robert begins to explain what his mother means to him during rehearsal, he breaks down crying. “I’ve never been able to capture the feeling of gratitude that I feel for her,” he admitted. “And at every milestone, I just wish that my dad was there. She was there and that was enough.”
Partner Witney Carson calls Robert and Terri’s strength “so inspiring.”
When Terri joined the pair at rehearsal, she declared, “I’m ready to cry.”
In the ballroom, Robert and Witney danced a contemporary routine to “You’ll Be in My Heart” by Phil Collins. At the very end, his mother made a brief appearance to wrap up the routine.
“He’s looking at you kid and he’s smiling,” said Bruno of Steve as he fought back tears. Robert then walked up to hug Bruno.
Carrie Ann said if she ever had kids, she’d want them to be like Robert. “You’re always connecting with the audience,” the judge said to Robert. “It was really beautiful.”
Derek was at a loss for word as he fought back tears. “I’m really proud of you,” he said. “You’ve become such an amazing man. The world needs the Irwin family.”
Kym said when Terri joined him on the ballroom floor, it “got her.”
“I love him so much,” said Terri, adding, “I’m so blessed to be his mom.”
As Robert and Witney joined Julianne, they dabbed their eyes with tissues. “This is for all the moms who don’t get the recognition they deserve,” Robert said. “Go call your mom and tell her that you love her.”
Score: 35/40
Andy Has a Daddy-Daughter Night
1 hr 21 min ago
Andy Richter is dedicating his salsa (danced to “Jump in the Line” by Harry Belafonte) to his daughter, Cornelia. In his intro, the comedian explained he didn’t think he was having any more kids after raising his two adult children.
But he welcomed Cornelia into his life when he met his current wife, single mom Jennifer Herrera. He quickly adopted Cornelia and says this dance together is “absolutely the highlight of my time here.”
“The bond Andy and Cornelia have fills my whole heart,” Jennifer told the cameras.
Cornelia joined the pair towards the end of their dance, which delighted judge Kym, who praised the way the trio kicked off the night.
Bruno called Cornelia “little baby spice,” before he critiqued Andy going slightly off time.
For Carrie Ann, she said Andy showed improvement tonight, despite going off time.
And Derek also praised the performance for being “playful, pure and full of love.”
When Andy spoke with Julianne, he said this is a night he’ll always remember.
Score: 24/40
Julianne Hough Has a Close Call
1 hr 21 min ago
As co-host Julianne Hough entered the ballroom with Alfonso Ribeiro, she tripped on her walk out, but steadied herself quickly. Alfonso looked over and held her hand as they continued on to hit their mark and announce the contestants.
After each dancer and pro had their intro, the hosts welcomed
Kym Johnson back to the ballroom.
Jen Affleck Battles a Sickness
2 hr 6 min ago
The MomToker revealed on her Instagram Stories on Oct. 13 that she’s been sick all week.
“Couldn’t practice as much this week. With lots of rest and help from [my husband] Zac and my family, we still pulled something off Ironic that my song is ‘Rescue.’ This week tested me in ways I never imagined,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself resting in bed.
Jen later shared a video of her playing the song for her mom, writing, “So many emotions going into this week’s performance. This song means everything to me-it’s for mothers who show up daily, serve without days off, and suffer in silence. Postpartum/prenatal included. I want every mom to feel seen and heard.”
She also shared a look at rehearsals, praising Jan for all his support through her difficult week.
“Even after I got really sick and missed practices, he stayed patient, and in the little time we had, helped perfect the dance and make it feel extra special for me and my mom,” she shared.
Robert Irwin Opens Up About His ‘Tough Week’
2 hr 6 min ago
In the midst of working on his routine, Irwin admitted on Oct. 12 it’s been “a tough week.”
“We’ve been working hard and I’ve been sort of tapping into emotions that I haven’t really gotten to share before — certainly not publicly,” Robert said in a TikTok video. “I’ve been thinking a lot about my dad, I’ve been thinking a lot about the highs and the lows, the grief, the way my mom has helped me navigate that.”
Robert’s father, Steve Irwin, died nearly two decades ago after being attacked by a stingray off the coast of Australia while filming an underwater documentary. Robert was nearly 3 years old.
The Lineup Gets Stacked
2 hr 6 min ago
Jen Affleck and partner Jan Ravnik will perform a Viennese Waltz to Lauren Daigle’s “Rescue” in dedication to her mother, Maria. Jen’s fellow Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas will perform a Contemporary routine to Jamal Robert’s “Heal” in dedication to her husband, Connor.
Jordan Chiles and partner Ezra Sosa will perform a Viennese Waltz to John Mayer’s “Daughters” in dedication to her father, Timothy.
Robert Irwin and partner Witney Carson will perform a Contemporary routine to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart” in dedication to his mother, Terri.
Alix Earle and partner Val Chmerkovskiy will perform a Contemporary routine to Coldplay’s “Sparks” in dedication to her younger sister, Izabel.
Dylan Efron will similarly honor his younger sister, Olivia, with a Contemporary routine with partner Danielle Karagach. They’ll perform to Dylan’s brother Zac Efron’s song “Rewrite the Stars” with Zendaya from The Greatest Showman.
Danielle Fishel and partner Pasha Pashkov, meanwhile, will honor her Boy Meets World costar Bill Daniels (who played Mr. Feeny) with a Jive to the Boy Meets World theme song.
Elaine Hendrix will also honor a former colleague: her best friend and Parent Trap costar, Lisa Ann Walter. Hendrix and partner Alan Bersten will perform a Foxtrot to Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” a nod to The Parent Trap.
Scott Hoying and partner Rylee Arnold will perform a Foxtrot to his own song “Parallel” in dedication to his husband, Mark.
Andy Richter and partner Emma Slater will perform a Salsa to Harry Belafonte’s “Jump In the Line” in dedication to his daughter, Cornelia.