Reality star Whitney Leavitt and professional dancer Mark Ballas dazzled on Dancing with the Stars Season 34’s Wicked Night, earning the first perfect 10s of the season with their enchanting quickstep to “Popular,” solidifying their status as serious contenders for the Mirrorball Trophy.
The ballroom lit up on Dancing with the Stars Season 34’s highly anticipated Wicked Night, held on October 21, 2025. Among the ten remaining couples, one pair truly defied gravity and expectation: Whitney Leavitt of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives fame, alongside her seasoned pro partner, Mark Ballas. Their vibrant quickstep to “Popular” from the beloved musical Wicked not only captivated the judges but also secured the first perfect 10s of the entire season.
This momentous achievement has sent ripples of excitement through the fan community, positioning Leavitt and Ballas as serious contenders for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
A Glinda-Inspired Quickstep That Earned Top Scores
For Wicked Night, couples performed to songs from the hit movie musical, moving chronologically through its numbers. Leavitt and Ballas channeled their inner Glinda, donning dazzling all-pink outfits that perfectly embodied the character’s effervescent charm. Their quickstep to “Popular” was described as “advanced” and “jam-packed” by judge Derek Hough, who was so impressed he reportedly jumped out of his seat exclaiming, “What?!”
Hough’s praise didn’t stop there, noting, “I feel like we are discovering a star before our eyes.” The routine earned them an impressive 39 out of 40 points from the judges, which included three perfect 10s and one 9. The judging panel for the evening included regular judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, joined by special guest judge Jon M. Chu, the director of the upcoming film Wicked: For Good.
Reactions From the Star and Her Pro Partner
For Whitney Leavitt, earning such high scores was a moment of profound gratification. “It felt like a big reward,” she shared, emphasizing the immense effort behind their performance. “Mark and I worked really hard on that dance. And honestly, at the end of the day, I want to go on that stage and just give it my all, every single time.” She further elaborated that stepping into the role of Glinda felt natural, stating it wasn’t hard to get into character as “it just felt like me” (People).
Mark Ballas echoed her sentiments, expressing his immense pride. “I was very proud. This one was a hustle,” he told reporters, detailing the “lot of work” and “lot of detail” that went into the routine. For Ballas, the ultimate goal is to feel satisfied with the performance, regardless of the scores. “Again, all you can hope for is that you finished the dance and you feel like, ‘Ugh, I couldn’t have done that better,'” he added, highlighting the dancer’s eternal quest for perfection (E! News).
A Strong Partnership and Fan-Favorite Moments
The partnership between Leavitt and Ballas has been a journey of growth, marked by both dedication and lighthearted humor. During discussions about their evolving dynamic, Leavitt playfully revealed a quirky detail: “Mark’s learned that I have very stinky feet.” Ballas, ever the supportive partner, quickly clarified, “It’s just this one pair of shoes,” showing their camaraderie extends beyond the dance floor.
Their journey to the top scores was also aided by previous experiences, including their Week 4 Foxtrot to “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton. Leavitt noted the technical similarities between the foxtrot and the quickstep, which helped her feel more familiar and comfortable with the demanding Wicked Night routine.
Adding to the fan excitement, Whitney’s husband, Conner Leavitt, continued his tradition of supporting his wife with themed costumes. For Wicked Night, he made a splash by painting his entire face green, transforming into the iconic character Elphaba. “Wouldn’t it be so funny if you painted yourself green?” Whitney recalled suggesting to Conner, who initially resisted but ultimately embraced the challenge. This dedication delighted fans and showcased the strong family support behind Whitney’s journey.
This wasn’t Conner’s first appearance in the ballroom; he previously joined his wife and Mark Ballas for a contemporary dance to “Heal” by Jamal Roberts during Dedication Night earlier in the season.
Other Standout Performances and What’s Next
While Leavitt and Ballas celebrated their triumph, they weren’t the only couple to earn the season’s first 10s. Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and her pro partner Ezra Sosa also achieved three 10s and a nine for their rumba to “For Good,” tying with Whitney and Mark at 39 points. For Ezra Sosa, this was a particularly significant moment, marking his first-ever 10 on the show.
With Wicked Night now behind them, all eyes are on the upcoming Halloween Night on Tuesday, October 28. Couples are gearing up for spooky-themed performances, in addition to participating in the “monster night monster-thon” dance relay, promising another thrilling episode as the competition for the Mirrorball Trophy intensifies.
