Professional dancer Rylee Arnold has broken her silence on the “shocking” elimination from Dancing With the Stars, expressing a “heavy heart” after she and partner Scott Hoying exited the competition following their “Wicked”-themed performance. Her heartfelt message revealed deep gratitude for the experience and praise for Hoying’s dedication, resonating deeply within the fan community.
The ballroom of Dancing With the Stars was filled with both magic and heartbreak during its highly anticipated “Wicked Night” on October 21. While couples dazzled with performances inspired by the beloved musical, the evening concluded with a surprising and emotional elimination. Professional dancer Rylee Arnold, 20, and her celebrity partner, Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, 34, found their journey on the show unexpectedly cut short. Arnold, known for her vibrant energy, later took to social media to share her candid feelings, a move that quickly resonated with fans.
A Heavy Heart and Deep Gratitude
In the wake of their elimination, Rylee Arnold opened up in an emotional TikTok video titled “GRWM While I Talk About Last Night on DWTS 🥺🫶🏻” on October 22. Her message was clear and heartfelt, starting with a poignant admission: “This morning I have a heavy heart for sure.” She articulated the sadness of her journey with Hoying coming to an end, while also emphasizing the profound positive impact of their time together. Her reflections quickly became a focal point for fans eager to understand her perspective.
Arnold expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to compete this season and for the blossoming friendship she cultivated with Hoying. She was particularly proud of his commitment and progress throughout the competition. “I was proud of the improvements he was making,” she shared. “I was proud that he was going out there and doing his thing and that’s all you can ask for.” This sentiment highlights the core of the partnership, focusing on growth and effort rather than just scores.
Scott Hoying’s Insane Work Ethic and Partnership Bond
During her reflection, Rylee Arnold lauded Scott Hoying’s “insane work ethic,” painting a vivid picture of his dedication. She recalled how he would consistently put in extra hours: “He would finish our four-hour rehearsals and he would go home and he would practice for hours [and] he would get the steps down [by] the next day.” This level of commitment underscores why their partnership was so compelling to viewers, showcasing a celebrity truly invested in the dance process.
The bond between the partners was equally evident in their post-elimination interview with co-host Alfonso Ribeiro. Hoying reciprocated Arnold’s sentiments, gushing that “Rylee is my favorite person ever.” He shared that the experience was “everything” to him, adding, “I had so much fun. I learned so much. And it’s Wicked Night, that’s a perfect way to go.” Arnold, for her part, affirmed she “couldn’t have asked for a better partner” this season, as reported by Parade.
The ‘Wicked’ Performance and Unexpected Exit
The elimination took place on a special “Wicked Night” episode, which featured guest judge and film director Jon M. Chu. Each couple performed a dance to a song from the hit Broadway musical. Rylee Arnold and Scott Hoying performed a contemporary dance to “The Wizard & I,” a performance that garnered them straight 7s from the judges, totaling 28 out of 40 points. Despite this respectable score, it was among the lower totals of the night, leading to their surprising elimination, particularly since there was no elimination the previous week, as noted by AOL.
Their full performance can be revisited below, capturing the artistry and effort that characterized their final dance on the DWTS stage.
What Comes Next for Rylee and Scott
While their competitive journey on Dancing With the Stars for the season has concluded, fans will not entirely lose sight of Rylee Arnold. She clarified in her TikTok video that she will still be performing in the show’s opening numbers every week. “I’m so grateful for” this opportunity, she said, adding that she’s “glad that I can keep dancing” the rest of the season. This news provides a comforting continuity for her dedicated fanbase.
For Scott Hoying, the elimination, though bittersweet, offered a practical “silver lining.” He is set to kick off Pentatonix’s “Christmas in the City” tour in West Valley City, Utah, on November 8. Hoying admitted in an interview with Extra that he had been “stressing about and losing sleep over” how he would manage to do both the tour and the dance competition simultaneously. The elimination, therefore, allows him to “dive into that” focus on his music career without the added pressure of rehearsals.
The elimination of Rylee Arnold and Scott Hoying serves as a reminder of the competitive nature of Dancing With the Stars, where even strong partnerships can face an early exit. However, their gracious departure and Arnold’s candid reflection reinforce the deep bonds and personal growth that define the unique experience of the show.
