Get ready for an emotional rollercoaster on Dancing with the Stars! Pro dancer Emma Slater has issued a heartfelt warning to fans: “have tissues on hand” for Dedication Night. This special episode sees celebrities performing tributes to important people in their lives, with particularly touching routines expected from Robert Irwin honoring his mother Terri, and Andy Richter dedicating his performance to his daughter, Cornelia. The night promises both tears and triumphs, especially as Richter continues his surprising and beloved journey in the competition.
The ballroom is set for one of the most poignant evenings of the season as Dancing with the Stars hosts its much-anticipated Dedication Night. Fans are already bracing for an outpouring of emotion, thanks to a candid warning from beloved DWTS pro Emma Slater, who has urged viewers to “have tissues on hand.”
According to a reel posted by Emma Slater, the atmosphere backstage is already charged with emotion. “I’m the makeup and hair chair, it is Tuesday, it’s dedication night, I just watched pretty much everyone’s dance at this point, you are gonna need tissues,” Slater shared while getting ready for the show. “This night you guys is just amazing [and] incredible, so get your family together, get your friends together, enjoy the evening, get some food, make sure you have some tissues on hand. It really hits you here so this is my warning, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
A Night of Heartfelt Tributes Across the Ballroom
Dedication Night is a staple on Dancing with the Stars, offering stars a unique opportunity to honor individuals who have profoundly impacted their lives. This season’s lineup of dedications promises to be particularly moving, with several celebrities choosing deeply personal tributes.
Andy Richter Honors His Daughter with a Lively Salsa
Comedian Andy Richter, paired with Emma Slater, will be dancing a salsa to Harry Belafonte’s “Jump In the Line,” dedicating the routine to his daughter, Cornelia. Richter has already teased fans with behind-the-scenes photos hinting at Cornelia’s incorporation into the performance. Their performance, which earned them 24 points from the judges, was praised by Derek Hough as “positively playful, pure, and full of love” and by guest judge Kym Johnson who noted, “you connect with people, and America loves you!”
Robert Irwin’s Emotional Tribute to His Mother Terri
Perhaps the most anticipated and undoubtedly emotional dedication comes from young conservationist Robert Irwin. He will honor his mother, Terri Irwin, with a contemporary dance set to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart.” This tribute carries significant weight, especially considering the enduring legacy of Robert’s father, Steve Irwin, who passed away in 2006.
Terri Irwin herself shared her feelings on Instagram, stating, “I’m incredibly honored that Robert thought of me. Steve and I always talked about how much it meant to us to be parents. So much love. This will be a special night.” The judges were visibly moved, with Carrie Ann Inaba describing it as “really beautiful” and Derek Hough expressing, “I have so much love for your family, and the world needs the Irwin family.” Robert and pro Witney Carson scored an impressive 35 points for their heartfelt routine.
Nostalgic Dedications from ’90s Icons
Other stars are also tapping into their personal histories for their dedications:
- Danielle Fishel, known for her role as Topanga on Boy Meets World, will dedicate her jive to Bill Daniels, who famously played Mr. Feeny. Her performance with pro Pasha Pashkov earned 29 points.
- Elaine Hendrix is dedicating her foxtrot to Lisa Ann Walter, her on-screen nemesis-turned-real-life-bestie from The Parent Trap. Elaine and pro Alan Bersten scored 30 points, with Carrie Ann Inaba calling it “a wonderful way to celebrate friendship.”
Other Memorable Performances
The night also featured several other powerful dedications:
- Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas delivered a contemporary dance to “Heal,” earning 33 points despite a minor sync issue.
- Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik performed a Viennese waltz to “Rescue,” scoring 29 points for their passionate routine.
- Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach captivated judges with a contemporary number to “Rewrite the Stars,” achieving a high score of 36 points.
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa‘s Viennese waltz to “Daughters” was profound, garnering 32 points, with Kym Johnson noting the successful risk of incorporating Chiles’s father into the routine.
- Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold performed a foxtrot to Hoying’s own song, “Parallel,” receiving 30 points.
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy closed the night with a technically difficult contemporary dance to “Sparks,” scoring 35 points.
Andy Richter’s Unexpected Journey: More Than Just a Dance Competition
Andy Richter’s presence on Dancing with the Stars has been a compelling subplot this season, challenging the very definition of what it means to succeed on the show. Despite not always receiving the highest scores, Richter and Slater have consistently been saved by fan votes, sparking conversations about the show’s entertainment value versus pure dance technique.
Emma Slater has been a staunch defender of her partner, highlighting the broader appeal of the competition. “Obviously, you get people that comment, ‘you know, this is a dance competition,’ but it is actually so much more than that,” Slater told Us Weekly. “It is an entertainment show, and it is for people that have not done this before, and so it’s beautiful to watch them get a moment in the spotlight and to grow and to see improvement. He, every bit, deserves his place here.”
This perspective resonates deeply with fans who appreciate the journey and growth of celebrity contestants. Richter himself admitted to Parade that he initially dreaded joining DWTS, but the experience has been transformative. “I didn’t even realize how sort of inert I had become,” he confessed, adding that the show has “really has changed my [life].” His story embodies the spirit of DWTS as a platform for personal challenge and unexpected triumphs, proving that anyone can dance and grow, regardless of their starting point.
No Eliminations on This Emotional Night
In a move that surely brought relief to all the couples and their fans after such an emotional evening, it was revealed that Dedication Night was a non-elimination week. This means every star will continue their journey in the competition, ready to tackle next week’s challenges.
Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of DWTS
Dancing with the Stars continues to captivate audiences by blending dazzling choreography with deeply human stories. Dedication Night, with its raw emotion and heartfelt tributes, perfectly encapsulates the show’s enduring appeal. From Emma Slater’s early warning to the moving performances and Andy Richter’s inspiring journey, this episode is a powerful reminder that while dance is at its core, the show truly shines brightest when it touches the human heart.
