'Dancing with the Stars' week 10 brings surprise exit as couples push for finals

Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars reached its semi-final stage with six couples performing during a Prince-themed night that featured more than a dozen songs from the late musician. Each pair delivered two routines: a reprise of an earlier style and a new dance aimed at securing a place in the finals.

Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten opened the evening with a foxtrot to “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” earning praise from the judges and a score of 27. Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy followed with an Argentine tango to “Little Red Corvette,” scoring 28 after judges noted both improvement and areas still needing refinement. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas performed a cha cha to “1999,” receiving 29 amid mixed comments from the panel.

Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach presented a tango to “I Would Die 4 U,” scoring 27 with judges highlighting technique adjustments. Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa danced a jive to “Raspberry Beret,” also earning 27, while Robert Irwin and Witney Carson impressed with a jive to “Baby I’m a Star,” the first perfect score of the night.

The second round introduced new routines. Hendrix earned her first perfect score with a paso doble to “When Doves Cry.” Earle delivered a Viennese waltz to “Purple Rain” for another perfect score. Efron’s cha cha to “Kiss” scored 28, while Leavitt’s Viennese waltz to “Slow Love” received 29.

Chiles returned with an Argentine tango to “U Got the Look,” achieving 30. Irwin’s Viennese waltz to “WOW” scored 29, rounding out a strong night for the top competitors.

Leaderboard results placed Irwin and Carson at the top, with Efron and Karagach at the bottom. The evening concluded with the unexpected elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, leaving five couples to compete in next week’s finals.