The Shocking DWTS Semifinals Cut: Who Was Voted Off Just Before The Finale?

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The question of "who was voted off Dancing with the Stars" often comes with a degree of predictability, but the elimination that occurred in the Semifinals of Season 34 proved to be one of the most controversial and jaw-dropping exits in recent memory. As of the current date, December 23, 2025, the most recent and dramatic non-finale elimination saw a fan-favorite couple sent home, sparking outrage among viewers who felt the wrong dancer was cut just one week shy of the Mirrorball Trophy.

This shocking turn of events highlights the brutal reality of the competition: even a top-tier performance and a near-perfect score from the judges cannot guarantee safety when viewer votes are tallied. The couple eliminated in the Semifinals (Week 10) was none other than reality star Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner, the legendary Mark Ballas, proving that the combination of judges' scores and public opinion can lead to a truly unpredictable outcome.

The Shocking Semifinals Exit: Whitney Leavitt's Profile

The celebrity at the center of the Semifinals storm was Whitney Leavitt, a personality who had quickly become a compelling figure on the Season 34 dance floor. Her elimination in Week 10 was a major upset, especially considering the high caliber of her performance that night.

Whitney Leavitt: Quick Biography & Profile

  • Full Name: Whitney Leavitt
  • Known For: Reality television star, primarily for her role in the hit series The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.
  • DWTS Season: Season 34
  • Professional Partner: Mark Ballas (a two-time Mirrorball champion).
  • Placement: 6th Place (Eliminated in the Semifinals).
  • Notable Fact: Her elimination was widely considered a shock, with many viewers arguing she was one of the "best dancers" remaining in the competition.

Leavitt’s journey throughout Season 34 was marked by consistent improvement and a strong partnership with Ballas, who returned to the show for this season. Their dynamic on the dance floor and Leavitt's dedication to mastering complex routines had positioned them as serious contenders for the Mirrorball Trophy.

The Scores That Didn't Save Them: Week 10 Performance Breakdown

The Semifinals episode, which aired in November, required the remaining couples to perform two routines. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas delivered a performance that the judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli—praised, yet it wasn't enough to secure their spot in the finale.

The Semifinals Dance and Score

In their final performance on the DWTS stage, Whitney and Mark executed a stunning Viennese Waltz. The dance was set to the romantic track "Slow Love," and it showcased Leavitt's elegance and technical growth throughout the competition.

Their score reflected the high quality of the routine: they received an impressive 29 out of 30 from the judges. This near-perfect score put them in a strong position on the leaderboard, scoring higher than other couples who ultimately advanced to the finale. The judges’ positive feedback, however, was dramatically overridden by the combination of their score and the public's votes, landing them in the bottom two.

The final decision came down to a head-to-head with another couple in the bottom two, but ultimately, the combination of the high judges' scores and the lower-than-expected viewer vote sealed their fate. This scenario perfectly illustrates the unique and often frustrating nature of the DWTS voting system, where popularity can sometimes trump technical skill.

Controversy and The Finalists: Who Survived the Cut

The elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas immediately generated a massive reaction across social media platforms. Viewers expressed "rage" and shock, arguing that she was the "best dancer" left in the competition and did not deserve to go home. This public outcry focused on the perceived unfairness of a technically superior dancer being eliminated over others who scored lower.

The Final Push for the Mirrorball

With Leavitt and Ballas out, the remaining four couples officially became the finalists for Season 34. This elite group moved on to compete for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. The final four couples who survived the Semifinals cut were:

  • Robert Irwin and Pro Witney Carson
  • Alix Earle and Pro Val Chmerkovskiy
  • Dylan Efron and Pro Daniella Karagach
  • Jordan Chiles and Pro Ezra Sosa

The finale was a highly anticipated event, with the competition being incredibly tight. Ultimately, the Season 34 Mirrorball Trophy was awarded to Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson. Irwin, the son of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, continued his family's legacy by taking the title, a decade after his sister Bindi Irwin won Season 21.

The elimination of Whitney Leavitt remains a significant talking point from Season 34. It serves as a potent reminder that the DWTS competition is a delicate balance of dance technique, celebrity popularity, and the emotional connection a star can forge with the voting audience at home. Her exit, despite a near-perfect Viennese Waltz, is a classic example of a shocking result that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats until the very end of the season.

The Season 34 cast, which also included celebrities like Elaine Hendrix, provided a high level of competition, making every week's elimination a high-stakes event. The Semifinals, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, proved to be the most dramatic episode, setting the stage for a memorable finale. The legacy of Whitney Leavitt's "voted off" moment will be remembered as one of the most controversial eliminations in the show's history, where high scores simply weren't enough to survive the public vote.

The Shocking DWTS Semifinals Cut: Who Was Voted Off Just Before the Finale?
who was voted off dancing with the stars
who was voted off dancing with the stars

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