A Shocking Elimination Rocks the Ballroom Ahead of the Finale

In no particular order and based on live votes and judges scores, Alfonso and Julianne announced that Elaine and Alan, Alix and Val, Robert and Whitney and Dylan and Daniella were safe.

They then announced that Whitney and Mark were voted out of the competition, leaving Jordan and Ezra in the finale.

“I already feel like a winner,” said Whitney. “This show has absolutely meant the world to me. It’s changed my life. I’ll forever be so grateful for the friendships I’ve made, to have this experience, thank you so, so much.”

Robert said his 11-year-old self “would be screaming right now.” He said experiencing it himself, after watching his sister on the show, was a “huge honor.”

“It’s time to create my own legacy,” he said.

Witney said the difficult part for Robert in practicing their Viennese Waltz was the footwork. He said being so “passionate” with Witney is “weird.” Adding, “It’s just not our dynamic.”

They danced to “WOW” and lived up to the song name with their electric performance.

Bruno called it “so thrilling, I want to see the sequel!”

“You always deliver such fun, strong performances but tonight, you drew us in in a different way,” Carrie Ann said. “I feel like I’m your mom, I’m just so proud of you.”

Robert ran up to hug Carrie Ann, which prompted the judges to then hug one another.

“Hug it out,” said Derek. “That was a ferocious Viennese Waltz. Every fiber of your body dances.” Derek critiqued his frame, but said he can’t wait to see what Robert does in the finale.

“I’m very proud of myself,” Jordan said of her journey in dance, thinking back to her younger self.

She said she knew their Argentine Tango to “U Got the Look” was their “make or break moment” ahead of the finale. Jordan called it “one of the harder dances that I’ve had to learn,” admitting that she kept kicking Ezra during practice.

Derek called their dance “a top performance” and praised their lines and entrance.

“Beautiful, powerful, focused, she was so strong,” said Bruno. “You were literally leading Ezra! You were the leading lady of the dance, my love.”

Carrie Ann said that Jordan was in a class of her own, and took the biggest risks. “Tonight, that was the bomb!”

Jordan cried as she got to the skybox: “That little girl in me should be really, really proud.”

Whitney started crying reflecting on the experience on the show. “Being a part of the experience blossomed something in me that I feel like had been missing.”

She said when she dances, she feels most like herself. “This whole experience has been life changing for me and I’m just so grateful,” she said, explaining that she can see a future profession with dance.

Mark said he wanted Whitney to look like a floating princess when practicing their Viennese Waltz to “Slow Love.”

“That was, from all the performances that you have done, my absolute favorite. It felt so authentically you. You unmasked, you showed us truly your soul and how much you love to dance. So I just want to thank you for that,” said Carrie Ann. She explained there was “a bit of a hop” so she had “to mark for that.” But said, “that was outstanding.”

Derek was appalled and questioned Carrie Ann: “A bit of a hop?” He praised Whitney for sharing her dreams and said it was “very courageous” of her to open up.

Whitney began crying as Bruno praised the “quality” of her Viennese Waltz. “Impeccable!” he added.

Whitney cursed while waiting for her scores with Julianne in the skybox. “We’re going to have to bleep that,” said Julianne, with a laugh.

Dylan said that during week 1, he felt like he was “an imposter.” But by last week, he was flipping Daniella in the air — “with a broken nose,” she added.

As they practiced their Cha Cha to “Kiss,” Daniella said she was excited for Dylan to “take over this dance and get those hips rolling.”

Dylan said he was determined to finally “nail” a Latin-style dance and show what he’s learned over the last 10 weeks. “It’s time to sprint, I’m going to do everything I can to make that finale.”

After their hip-rolling performance (that ended with Dylan kissing the camera), the camera cut to his family, with Zac cheering on his younger brother.

“What happened to your hips? You did so much work,” said Bruno, praising his “finish” and complimenting Daniella for helping him.

Carrie Ann said sometimes his arms “got small” and explained she said it so he can work on that for next week.

Derek praised Dylan’s technique. “Your feet were turned out — nobody does that! It was so, so impressive man, you should be so proud.” Derek started adding that there was “a little thing there” before being cut off.

Val said dancing to “Purple Rain” lends itself to a more “emotional performance,” for his Viennese Waltz with Alix. “I’ve gotten more emotionally in turn with myself throughout this,” said Alix.

She began crying saying, “I’m going to be so upset when this is over. I’ve just learned so much about myself, it’s given me a different work ethic.”

She added, “I’ve loved waking up every day and getting to come here and dance and challenge myself.”

Derek said Alix had transformed into a “beautiful dancer” and said he had “no doubt” he’ll see her in the finals. “It was a passionate and stunning Viennese Waltz,” he said.

“You delivered what I wanted, the perfect combination of motion and emotion,” said Bruno. “You felt the music, you trusted [Val] and together you gave us a fabulous [performance].”

Carrie Ann said “a performance like this is going down in history.” She added that Alix delivered a “passionate” routine. “I am so proud of you.”

For Elaine’s last dance to get to the finals, she reflected on her years as an actress. She explained that she’s trained herself to “just keep going” within her profession, and letting the public see her (and not the characters she plays) has been “really scary.”

“Every week, my body is showing up for me and I’m really grateful for that,” she said. Alan said they’re going to perform their Paso Doble to “When Doves Cry” for Elaine’s younger self who wanted to be a dancer growing up.

Carrie Ann jumped out of her seat and hugged Elaine on the dance floor screaming, “That was amazing!” The judge then bowed down to Elaine while the live feed got bleeped as she cursed.

“It was a proper, beautiful Paso Doble,” said Derek, praising her passion. “It was powerful, you filled the room with your energy.”

Bruno unbuttoned his entire shirt while he praised the performance. “That really was an authentic Paso Doble, as it should be done. It was a regal performance. Majestic!”