By Christa Bashinski · Entertainment Editor
“Dancing with the Stars” has taken over TVs across the nation at 8 p.m. every Tuesday.
From “Boy Meets World” actor Danielle Fisher to GRAMMY-winner Scott Hoying, there’s a celebrity for every fan to cheer on.
The show pairs celebrities from various fields with professional dancers like the well-known Witney Carson and Valentin Chmerkovskiy to put on weekly performances that showcase different dance styles and themed challenges.
A star-studded panel of judges scores each performance on a one-to-10 scale, while viewers at home cast their votes. The combined scores determine which couple must leave the competition each week.
This season has sparked special attention ever since ABC dropped its list of soon-to-be dancers, featuring many familiar faces who are already household names. The buzz likely contributed to the season’s record-breaking debut, with 5.4 million viewers tuning in, a 45% increase from the previous year. Ratings have continued to climb as audiences stay engaged, casting votes for their favorite couples in real time. Each week has outdone the last, with fan participation surging. Week two alone saw a 67% increase in votes from the premiere.
The show has just finished its sixth week, officially passing the halfway point as the remaining contestants face the final five performances. What began as 14 “couples” has slowly been whittled down to the last nine. The most recent episode embraced a popular “Wicked” theme, with pairs doing anything from the tango to the foxtrot as they whirled their way across the stage. Comedian Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater have faced relentless uncertainty as they have consistently earned the lowest scores, constantly expecting to be sent home. And yet Richter has officially entered the second half of the competition to the praises of some and the wails of others. The unwavering support of his fans has propelled him forward week after week, even as he continues to receive a consistent score of six from the judges.
On the other hand, alligator enthusiast Robert Irwin and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt have risen to unexpected glory as they took the world by surprise, proving their skill as capable dancers. They were quick to win over the public’s favor, consistently putting on a show and swiftly taking over the TikTok FYP following each performance. Leavitt currently holds a slight edge over Irwin, having earned the season’s first three perfect 10s, with only a single nine from Derek Hough keeping her from a flawless score. While Leavitt’s dance scored the highest, it was Irwin’s dedication night, honoring his late father, that won the hearts of many.
As demonstrated by the ratings and the conversations surrounding the show, “Dancing with the Stars” is about far more than technical skill. While many of the celebrities are already well known, most enter the competition with little to no formal dance experience, making the journey one of growth. Week after week, viewers witness more than just routines, as each performance often draws on heartfelt tributes and personal stories, turning the dances into an emotional endeavor. The dances the contestants perform stay with the audience far after the music fades.
