One-Hit Wonders Night Creates DWTS History with Unprecedented Four-Way Leaderboard Tie
The sequined stage of Dancing With the Stars has never felt more electric—or more ruthless. This week’s devastating double elimination sent shockwaves through the ballroom as beloved competitors Corey Feldman and Baron Davis bid their final farewell to the competition, their disco ball dreams shattered in one fell swoop. The brutal reality of reality television struck with surgical precision, reminding us that in this world of rhinestones and rumba, only the strongest survive.
Tuesday’s spectacle transformed the iconic ballroom into a nostalgic wonderland as celebrities and their professional partners channeled the infectious energy of one-hit wonders. From the provocative beats of “Baby Got Back” to the empowering anthem “It’s Raining Men,” the evening promised pure entertainment—and delivered drama in spades. This season’s extraordinarily diverse cast reads like a who’s who of contemporary culture, featuring social media sensations, Olympic champions, and reality television royalty.
The night belonged to the fierce foursome who claimed the coveted top spot with matching scores of 22 out of 30: Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles partnered with Ezra Sosa, Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jen Affleck dancing with Jan Ravnik, conservationist Robert Irwin (Steve Irwin’s charismatic son) with his partner, and Whitney Leavitt representing the Mormon wives contingent. Their synchronized success created an unprecedented four-way tie that had the ballroom buzzing with anticipation.
Chiles, in particular, delivered a masterclass in redemption. After struggling with disappointing fives in the premiere, her explosive jive to “Maniac” earned her first eight and drew comparisons to the legendary Tina Turner from judge Carrie Ann Inaba. The transformation was nothing short of spectacular, proving that champions are forged in the crucible of competition.
Yet for every triumph, there must be heartbreak. Feldman and professional partner Jenna Johnson scored a modest 15 points with their cha-cha interpretation of “Baby Got Back,” while NBA legend Davis and the elegant Britt Stewart earned 18 points for their samba to “Return of the Mack.” Despite their efforts, the combination of judges’ scores and America’s votes sealed their fate in television’s most democratic elimination process.
The season has already broken records, delivering the franchise’s strongest debut in five years—a testament to the show’s remarkable resurgence in our social media-saturated culture. This renaissance speaks to our collective hunger for authentic entertainment in an increasingly digital world.
Adding intrigue to the proceedings, the judges introduced a tantalizing new format where the final critic offered only a single word to encapsulate each performance. This minimalist approach created moments of pure poetry, distilling complex artistry into singular, powerful statements that resonated with both contestants and audiences.
With Inaba’s triumphant return from illness, the judging panel once again reached its full power, transitioning from the premiere’s abbreviated 20-point system to the traditional 30-point scale that separates contenders from pretenders.
See the full list of scores for week two of DWTS season 34 (aka one-hit wonders night) below.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: 21/30
Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov: 19/30
Andy Richter and Emma Slater: 16/30
Lauren Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong: 21/30
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: 22/30
Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson: 15/30 (ELIMINATED)
Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik: 22/30
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: 22/30
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten: 21/30
Baron Davis and Britt Stewart: 18/20 (ELIMINATED)
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas: 22/30
Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko: 21/30
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: 20/30
Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold: 18/30
As we advance deeper into this season of surprises, one truth remains crystalline: Dancing With the Stars continues to reign as television’s ultimate arena where celebrity meets vulnerability, where preparation meets opportunity, and where America’s vote holds the power to crown champions or crush dreams beneath the ballroom’s unforgiving spotlight.
