Dancing With the Stars Season 34’s Dedication Night on Tuesday, October 14, was a rollercoaster of emotions, featuring unprecedented celebrity participation, heartfelt tributes, and a shocking twist: despite a record-breaking 50 million votes, no couple was eliminated, sending waves of relief and anticipation through the ballroom.
Week five of Dancing With the Stars Season 34, dubbed Dedication Night, was nothing short of extraordinary. The evening, which aired on Tuesday, October 14, saw the remaining ten celebrity couples perform deeply personal routines, each dedicated to someone who profoundly impacted their lives. This season marked a significant first for the show, as the honorees — cherished friends and family members — were invited to join their stars on the ballroom floor, adding an unparalleled layer of emotion to the performances.
The judges’ panel, consisting of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, welcomed back former pro Kym Johnson-Herjaveck as a guest judge. Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough guided viewers through the evening, emphasizing the importance of judging the stars’ performances while acknowledging the profound meaning behind each dance. The night was a cascade of tears, not just from the contestants and their guests, but also from the judges and audience members, making it one of the most memorable episodes of the season.
The Plot Twist That Stunned the Ballroom
As the emotional night drew to a close, a surprise announcement left everyone in awe. After a record-breaking 50 million votes were cast by viewers, hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough revealed an unprecedented plot twist: no one was going home. “We couldn’t send anyone home tonight on such a special night,” Julianne Hough explained, adding that all scores and votes from the evening would carry over to the following week. This decision brought a mix of relief and elation to the contestants, with actress Elaine Hendrix exclaiming that the revelation “means everything to me.”
Star-Studded Tributes and Nostalgic Moments
The integration of honorees into the routines provided many of the night’s most touching and nostalgic moments. Fans were particularly delighted by the appearances of beloved figures from classic television and film:
- William Daniels (Mr. Feeny): Danielle Fishel, known for her role as Topanga Lawrence in Boy Meets World, dedicated her jive to her co-star, William Daniels, who famously played Mr. Feeny. Daniels, 98, made a rare TV appearance, reprising his iconic role by standing at a desk with an “A+” paper at the routine’s conclusion. Fishel praised Daniels as a professional and mentor, stating, “I don’t think I would have been the professional that I am today without having watched him all those years.” The performance was a huge hit with nostalgic fans, confirmed by Us Weekly.
- Lisa Ann Walter (The Parent Trap): Elaine Hendrix, paying tribute to her best friend and The Parent Trap co-star, Lisa Ann Walter, performed a foxtrot to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love),” a song featured in their classic film. Walter joined Hendrix and professional partner Alan Bersten on the dance floor, and their on-screen fiancé from the movie, Dennis Quaid, was spotted in the audience, cheering them on. Their enduring friendship was highlighted, with Hendrix sharing how Walter supported her after her mother’s passing, promising she’d “never be alone” as detailed by Us Weekly.
- Zac Efron’s Musical Nod: Dylan Efron dedicated his contemporary routine to his younger sister, Olivia. The performance was set to “Rewrite the Stars,” a song from The Greatest Showman, performed by his older brother, actor Zac Efron, and Zendaya. Dylan’s tribute was a sweet homage to Zac’s selfless nature and his desire to be a role model for Olivia, as reported by Us Weekly.
Emotional Journeys on the Dance Floor
Beyond the celebrity cameos, the night was defined by raw, personal stories that resonated deeply with viewers:
- Robert Irwin’s Tribute to Terri: Robert Irwin dedicated his contemporary dance to his mother, Terri Irwin, calling her his “absolute hero.” Robert, who was only two years old when his father Steve Irwin passed away, broke down in tears discussing his immense gratitude for his mother’s strength and for keeping his father’s memory alive. His sister, Bindi Irwin, a former DWTS champ, was in attendance to support him. The performance was one of the night’s most poignant, leaving judges like Derek Hough speechless and Bruno Tonioli fighting back tears.
- Alix Earle’s Sisterly Bond: TikTok star Alix Earle dedicated her contemporary dance to her younger sister, Izabel. Earle shared how Izabel helped blend their family after her parents’ divorce and her father’s remarriage, changing her perspective on family. Izabel joined Alix during the performance, showcasing their strong bond.
- Scott Hoying’s Love Story: Scott Hoying of Pentatonix dedicated his foxtrot to his husband, Mark, revealing their exciting news that they are expecting a baby via surrogate. Hoying sang his own song, “Parallel,” written about the night he fell in love with Mark, before dancing with professional partner Rylee Arnold.
- Jen Affleck’s Warrior Mom: Jen Affleck dedicated her Viennese Waltz to her mother, Maria, an Ecuadorian immigrant who worked tirelessly to provide for her family. Affleck shared her newfound appreciation for her mother’s sacrifices after becoming a mom herself.
- Whitney Leavitt’s Marital Strength: Whitney Leavitt dedicated her contemporary routine to her husband, Conner, who sacrificed his job to move their family to Los Angeles for her DWTS journey. Conner joined her and pro Mark Ballas in a powerful dance that depicted overcoming challenges in their relationship.
- Jordan Chiles’ Father-Daughter Dance: Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles dedicated her Viennese Waltz to her father, Timothy, who encouraged her to pursue gymnastics to manage her ADHD. Timothy joined Jordan on the dance floor for a touching father-daughter moment.
- Andy Richter’s Family Joy: Comedian Andy Richter dedicated his salsa to his five-year-old daughter, Cornelia, whom he adopted after marrying his current wife. Cornelia delighted the audience by joining Richter and pro Emma Slater for part of the dance.
Week 5 Scores at a Glance
Despite the emotional intensity, the judges still provided their critiques, with scores out of a possible 40 points. Here’s how each couple fared:
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach (Contemporary): 36/40
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy (Contemporary): 35/40
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson (Contemporary): 35/40
- Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas (Contemporary): 33/40
- Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa (Viennese Waltz): 32/40
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten (Foxtrot): 30/40
- Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold (Foxtrot): 30/40
- Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov (Jive): 29/40
- Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik (Viennese Waltz): 29/40
- Andy Richter & Emma Slater (Salsa): 24/40
Looking Ahead to ‘Wicked’ Night
With no elimination this week, all couples carry their scores and votes into the next round. Fans can look forward to “Wicked Night,” which will feature Wicked director Jon M. Chu as a guest judge, promising another themed evening filled with magic and competition. Dancing With the Stars continues to air on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
