DWTS delivered one of its most surprising eliminations of Season 34 when Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt were sent home despite a top-tier leaderboard finish. The duo exited after scoring 58/60 on Prince Night, tying for second place. Their elimination aired Tuesday, November 18, during ABC’s broadcast from Los Angeles. Ballas later revealed they both had a “gut feeling” the night might end unexpectedly. The loss sets up a tightly contested finale featuring four remaining couples next week.
What Happened on DWTS
Ballas and Leavitt delivered two strong routines: a cha-cha-cha to “1999” and a Viennese waltz to “Slow Love.” Both performances earned near-perfect scores, culminating in 58 out of 60 points. Despite the high ranking, DWTS viewers and judges were stunned as the pair landed in the bottom.
The elimination came after a week of increased scrutiny following comments from Leavitt’s reality show, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where she admitted returning to the series partly to secure a chance to compete on DWTS. The reveal sparked debate among fans heading into Prince Night.
Still, both dancers expressed pride in their performances and gratitude for the season.
What They Said
Ballas told GMA after the episode:
“Sometimes you just get gut feelings. I think we both kind of felt it today.”
Leavitt added:
“I truly feel like this show changed my life. I didn’t think I’d make it this far.”
Fans reacted strongly across social media. One viewer posted:
“Nobody on this cast can compare with Whitney’s stage presence.”
Another viewer expressed frustration:
“This show has become a popularity contest. I’m disgusted.”
Co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough praised the partnership during the live broadcast, calling their growth “one of the season’s best stories.”
What It Means for DWTS Season 34
The elimination reshuffles expectations heading into the Season 34 finale. Ballas and Leavitt were considered contenders for the mirrorball trophy based on scoring trajectory and performance quality.
Their exit tightens the competition among the remaining finalists, who now have a clearer path but also amplified pressure. The decision underscores the unpredictable nature of DWTS, where viewer votes and momentum often outweigh the scoreboard.
DWTS Finals Ahead
DWTS Season 34 will conclude next Tuesday at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+, with Hulu streaming the next day. Four couples will perform in the two-part finale featuring freestyle routines, judges’ choice dances, and final leaderboard scores.
Ballas confirmed he plans to continue supporting Leavitt beyond the show, while Leavitt said she intends to stay connected with the DWTS community.
Sources
ABC
Good Morning America
Disney / Eric McCandless (episode photography)
Social media reactions from X
DWTS official broadcast notes
