Danielle Fishel Exits the Ballroom as DWTS Season 34 Reaches Fever Pitch
The Dancing With the Stars ballroom transformed into a veritable rock temple this Tuesday, as sequins met leather and elegance collided with edge for the show’s electrifying Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night. In a evening that saw the return of group performances and the departure of a beloved competitor, season 34 continued its relentless march toward what promises to be an unforgettable finale.
The stakes have never been higher. With co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro leading their respective teams through meticulously choreographed group numbers, the competition unveiled a delicious twist: immunity. The couple crowning the leaderboard would not only escape next week’s dreaded relay dances but would secure precious bonus points for the upcoming 20th Birthday Party celebration episode—a lifeline in these treacherous final weeks.
In a nail-biting finish, both Whitney Leavitt and Alix Earle commanded the night with impressive 39/40 scores, their technical prowess and artistic expression leaving judges breathless. Yet only one could claim immunity. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Leavitt ultimately seized the coveted prize, her cumulative scores across the season tipping the scales in her favor. It’s the kind of strategic advantage that could prove pivotal as we hurtle toward the three-hour finale on November 25th.
The evening’s most poignant moment belonged to actress Elaine Hendrix, who returned to the ballroom after last week’s injury forced her to sit out Halloween Night. Gliding through a Viennese waltz to “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” Hendrix wasn’t just dancing—she was declaring victory over adversity. “Very solid and strong and grateful,” she told the audience, her words resonating far beyond the ballroom floor.
Yet every rose has its thorn. As the evening drew to a close, Danielle Fishel and her partner Pasha Pashkov bid farewell to the competition, their journey ending just as the season reaches its crescendo. With only seven celebrities remaining—including Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, conservationist Robert Irwin, Dylan Efron, and comedian Andy Richter—the competition has entered its most ruthless phase.
The technical brilliance on display Tuesday night was undeniable. Chiles and Irwin both earned 38/40, their performances showcasing the kind of refinement that comes from weeks of relentless rehearsal. Team Chicago made history by earning the season’s first perfect 40/40 in the group category, though individual perfection remains tantalizingly out of reach.
As guest judge Flavor Flav joined the esteemed panel of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, the message was clear: rock and roll isn’t just a genre—it’s an attitude. And with only three episodes remaining before someone claims the mirrorball trophy, every step, every spin, every perfectly executed lift could mean the difference between glory and elimination.
