Dancing With the Stars’ non-elimination week got here as a surprise to the solid — and a former pro dancer.
“I used to be hoping for an elimination,” Peta Murgatroyd said on the Friday, October 17, episode of her “Penthouse With Peta” podcast, recapping this week’s Dedication Night with fellow alum Sharna Burgess. “Not like that’s a terrible thing to say, but someone’s got to go home.”
In the course of the Tuesday, October 14, live episode, the DWTS couples performed emotional tributes to a special person in each star’s life. At the tip of the night, cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough revealed that there wouldn’t be an elimination and all votes would roll over to next week.
“I do know why they don’t since it’s a tragic situation,” Murgatroyd, 39, noted on her podcast of the choice to avoid eliminating a pair within the wake of such emotional performances. “But, I’m in two minds about it because Elaine [Hendrix] coming down and speaking at the tip with Andy [Richter] was really sweet. They [were] so elated and pleased that everybody made it through.”
While Murgatroyd was equally pleased for Hendrix, 54, Richter, 58, and the remainder of the mirrorball hopefuls, she still was expecting an elimination. (Hendrix and Richter shared a sweet hug on the ballroom floor after Ribeiro’s announcement.)
Burgess, 40, nevertheless, thought the non-elimination was signaling one other twist up ahead.
“Are team dances next week?” Burgess questioned, referring to the pairings splitting into groups to perform a joint routine within the ballroom. “I figured [they decided not to eliminate anyone] because they need a fair variety of couples.”
It’s not known whether season 34 will include team dances, but the celebs were just as confused as Murgatroyd and Burgess when nobody went home on Tuesday. Contestant Jordan Chiles, for her part, exclusively told Us that the twist was “probably the most devastating thing ever.”
‘DWTS’ Dedication Night. Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images
“I feel this was the primary time I used to be like, ‘We’re in elimination and what is occurring?’ Only because we rehearsed it. We rehearsed every part happening,” Chiles, 24, told Us on Tuesday of the pre-show dress rehearsal. “I feel everybody — not even just us — but everybody’s moods were identical to, ‘Are you serious right away?’ I used to be pissed, personally.”
Chiles’ dance partner, Ezra Sosa, was similarly confused by the switch.
“You possibly can’t play these mind games with us. That’s not right,” Sosa, 24, quipped to Us. “It’s almost worse. You’re going to line us up? No, girl. No. Send someone home. Just do it. Come on.”
Dancing With the Stars‘ Dedication Night brought out loads of emotions each out and in of the ballroom — including confusion. Pro Jenna Johnson gave her hot takes about each performance in the course of the Thursday, October 16, episode of the “Dancing With the Stars Official Podcast,” hosted by her season 33 partner, Joey Graziadei. Johnson, 31, […]
Now, Hendrix, Richter, Chiles and the remainder of remaining season 34 partners will return for Wicked Night next week featuring guest judge Jon M. Chu, who directed Wicked and the upcoming Wicked: For Good.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET.
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