With just three episodes left to air in season 34 of Dancing with the Stars, the competition is ramping up.
This season has been the most-watched-ever and has hit the highest ratings in the show’s 20 year history. It has also broken the fan voting record with over 50 million votes cast in just one night.
The contestants:
After the most recent elimination the 7 couples left are, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, Andy Richter and Emma Slater, Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, and Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach.
In the latest episode, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night, Alix Earle and Whitney Leavitt both scored the highest of the night with a 39/40 for their individual performances. But after the team dance round Whitney ultimately ended on top of the leader board when her team, Team Chicago, scored a perfect 40/40 for their dance, beating out Alix’s team, Team Kool, who scored a 38/40.
Both girls stunned the audience when they delivered their very strong and precise paso dobles. But that’s not to forget that another one of the season’s front runners, Robert Irwin, who also performed a show-stopping paso doble with judge Derek Hough saying, “You didn’t just dominate, you owned this arena”.
Irwin has been adored all season for his charismatic and cheerful personality and with his newfound talent for dance, he certainly has fans captivated. Alongside his professional partner, Witney Carson, who is known for her incredible choreography and outstanding talent on the show, this couple seems unstoppable and with the combination of their high judges scores and viewer votes, they are definitely a contender to win the Mirrorball trophy.
The controversy:
Another fan favorite is Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater. Although they have found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard consistently throughout the competition, he has somehow landed himself a spot in the quarter-finals. This is thanks to his loyal fanbase who vote for him each week.
Fans have expressed their love for Richter because of his endearing personality and dedication to want to improve at dance. They have even created a name for their fandom, the “Fandys”. Creators on tiktok have gone so far as to share their watch parties they have thrown in support of him.
In the most recent episode Richter delivered a tearful response to all his fans saying, “It feels like I’m being held up and carried”.
While he does have many people rooting him on, some resentment has also been shown towards his success on the show. It is no secret that his dance ability is miles behind everyone else on the show and while he has shown some improvement, his performances still have minimal steps and little difficulty in which he often does not execute properly.
He has beaten out couples that are objectively better at dance than him and many viewers have argued that he is taking the spot of a more deserving person.
He isn’t the only contestant that has faced backlash from viewers, Whitney Leavitt has also fallen victim of hate, but for the opposite reason as Richter.
Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner Mark Ballas have been one of the top scoring couples each week of the competition. They have delivered very impressive and undeniably amazing dances throughout the weeks.
But it was too good to be true. It was quickly revealed that she has extensive dance experience, including competitive training and a college degree with a focus on dance.
Many viewers have expressed how they feel this is an unfair advantage in the competition and that she should’ve never had a spot on the show in the first place.
So while she may have the dance talent to win it all, her lack of fan support and votes might cost her the competition.
This season has shown to have many standout stars but there are also some underdogs who aren’t far behind them. Jordan Chiles and partner Ezra Sosa have performed many very impressive and difficult dances that are certainly on par with the top dogs. But many fans agree that Chiles has been underscored by the judges all season.
These lower scores have put them at risk for less recognition and fewer fan votes, but with the finals nearing Chiles is going to make sure everyone knows she’s in it to win it.
Elaine Hendrix and partner Alan Bersten have also been overlooked by the audience this season. Despite being almost 30 years older than most of the other competitors, Hendrix has done a phenomenal job delivering outstanding routines with tough choreography.
The competition shouldn’t forget about her because with the talent she has been showing, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if she snuck into the finals.
Who will win?
The talent this season has been over the top and with viewer votes as a factor, there is no way of knowing who will be taking home the Mirrorball Trophy. But these are some of NA’s guesses for whats to happen next.
