From Whitney Leavitt’s flawless quickstep earning the first 10s of the season to Robert Irwin’s jive being hailed as “the best first dance of the season,” “Dancing with the Stars” (DWTS) is delivering a record-breaking 34th season. With over 100 million votes cast on “Wicked” Night alone, audiences are more engaged than ever, watching celebrities discover new sides of themselves on the ballroom floor. I have never before been this emotionally invested in a season of “DWTS,” and I can’t wait to see what the coming weeks bring.
The moment I witnessed Irwin hit the floor, I knew exactly who my winner was going to be. His natural charisma and enthusiasm make every dance entertaining to watch, but what sets him apart is his genuine improvement from week to week. There’s an undeniable joy in his movement that reminds viewers why “DWTS” continues to resonate after so many seasons. It’s about growth, vulnerability and the courage to step out of one’s comfort zone. Seeing Irwin transition from awkward steps in his first rehearsal to confidently commanding the ballroom is inspiring. Also, his connection with his pro partner, Whitney Carson, is palpable and radiates through the screen. It’s performances like his that make this season feel particularly special and emotionally charged.
My favorite dances thus far have been Elaine Hendrix’s “Defying Gravity” performance during “Wicked” Night and Alix Earle’s Dedication Night performance. As a dancer myself who has trained in almost every style, I feel as though I can recognize a technically excellent performance. While these two dancers were not 100% perfect, they had an element of performance and stage presence that simply cannot be taught. If we are talking technique, Leavitt takes the cake. Her quickstep on “Wicked” Night looked to be at a professional level. I do believe that Leavitt is at a similar level to Julianne Hough, which makes the competition slightly unfair to other contestants. While dance experience on the show is encouraged, that level of performance is unlike any I’ve seen from a celebrity on the show before — Charli D’Amelio being a close second.
Contrary to popular belief, I think it was appropriate for Scott Hoying and his pro Rylee Arnold to be eliminated after “Wicked” night. Hoying’s performance has consistently been flat from week one, and unfortunately, Arnold is excellent at choreographing for herself, but not for a partner with Hoying’s skill level. I’m hoping that next season we will be able to see Arnold really choreograph to the assets of her partner and advance further in the competition.
Although I believe Andy Richter’s time is coming, I must say his personality and work ethic are what this show is all about. Watching him go from having no experience to understanding the fundamentals of salsa on the dedication night was a reminder of what “DWTS” is all about. His connection to his partner, Emma Slater, is incredibly strong, and they work together exceptionally well. He is a crowd favorite this season, and I do believe it is for all of the right reasons.
For the rest of the season, I hope to see the celebrities gain more confidence on the ballroom floor and focus more on the performance aspect. For example, Jordan Chiles had an excellent technical performance last week, but it was lacking emotion, and, in my opinion, did not deserve a 10. I am hoping to see more relaxed upper bodies from the celebrities and correct head placement. Often, the newer dancers appear stiff in the shoulders and tilt their heads towards their partner. This is less natural, and while most viewers who aren’t dancers may not notice, it really affects the quality of a performance for me. I’m also hoping for stronger arms with energy stretching all the way through the fingertips. The smallest details can turn a dancer from appearing amateur to professional.
As the competition tightens and the stakes grow higher, this season of “DWTS” feels like one for the books. With a mix of technical excellence, emotional storytelling and pure entertainment, the show has reminded audiences why it remains a staple of reality television. Whether it is Leavitt’s professional-level quickstep, Irwin’s infectious energy or Richter’s heartfelt journey, every contestant brings something uniquely compelling to the floor. I’ll be watching closely as the remaining weeks unfold, cheering for my favorites and hoping to see performances that blend precision with passion because that, to me, is what true dancing is all about.
