Halloween Night on Dancing with the Stars Was Spooky—and Emotional
Halloween Night on Dancing with the Stars proved to be scary in more ways than one, as contestants battled gruesome injuries, public drama, and heartbreaking setbacks. The competition was fierce, emotions ran high, and the night brought exciting performances alongside some challenging moments.
Jen Affleck Bids Tearful Goodbye
Jen Affleck, star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, performed her final dance Tuesday night with former Taylor Swift Eras Tour backup dancer Jan Ravnik. Despite some recent drama involving Jan’s lack of formal ballroom training, they put on a passionate contemporary performance to Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do.” Following her elimination, Jen shared a heartfelt message:
“This experience has meant everything to me. I cannot wait to talk about this in the future with my kids. I did this for my kids and I’m so grateful for the experience. Thank you for everyone rooting for me at home. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me. Thank you.”
Jan added with a smile, “She’s a rockstar, that’s all I’m gonna say.”
Elaine Hendrix Sidelined Following Injury
Actress Elaine Hendrix was absent from the live show due to a rib injury she sustained last week. The show aired footage from her Tuesday morning rehearsal, where Elaine was visibly in pain and had to stop mid-dance. Her partner, Alan Bersten, shared:
“She’s in so much pain that I don’t know if we’re going to dance tonight. It’s just a lot of unknowns. I just hope this isn’t the end of Elaine’s dream to dance again.”
DWTS rules dictate that if a contestant cannot perform live, they are judged based on their last rehearsal. Judges sent well wishes, with Derek Hough adding, “I know Elaine tonight, she would have gone up ten gears.” Elaine received scores of eight from each judge, totaling 32/40.
Andy Richter Celebrates Birthday with Another Week Safe
Tuesday night also marked comedian Andy Richter’s birthday. Despite consistently receiving lower scores throughout the season, Andy survived another elimination. After his paso doble performance dressed as a priest in a creepy cornfield, he joked,
“There were some people asking if I secretly wanted to go home. Did that look like I want to go home?”
He earned a solid 28 out of 40, showing clear improvement and increased confidence, much to the judges’ praise.
Performances and Scores from the Remaining Couples
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas – Jazz
Performing a punk-rock jazz routine to Green Day’s “Brain Stew,” Whitney and Mark brought a Beetlejuice-inspired zombie vibe to the dance floor. Although Whitney admitted feeling overwhelmed and anxious juggling motherhood and reality TV, their energetic performance earned high marks despite a few timing issues.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Derek: 9, Cheryl: 9, Bruno: 10 — Total: 37/40
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa – Contemporary
Jordan aimed to claim the top spot solo with a creative, emotional contemporary dance to “Elastic Heart” by Sia. Featuring a harness that allowed Ezra to pull and spin Jordan through the air, the performance was ambitious but didn’t fully convince all judges.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Derek: 8, Cheryl: 8, Bruno: 9 — Total: 35/40
Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov – Viennese Waltz
Danielle’s murder mystery-themed waltz to “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars was a standout creative piece, blending dreamy elegance with eerie combat moves and a ghostly disappearing act. Judges praised the artistry but encouraged Danielle to show more authentic emotion.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 8, Derek: 8, Cheryl: 8, Bruno: 9 — Total: 33/40
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson – Argentine Tango
Robert channeled a zombie symphony conductor in a precise, dramatic tango to “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This.” This technically strong performance placed them near the top of the leaderboard.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Derek: 9, Cheryl: 9, Bruno: 10 — Total: 38/40
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy – Tango
Alix’s graveyard-inspired tango to Billie Eilish’s “bury a friend” was a fierce, jerky showcase of power and precision. Val pushed Alix hard, and her emotional dedication paid off with near-perfect scores.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 10, Derek: 10, Cheryl: 9, Bruno: 10 — Total: 39/40
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach – Viennese Waltz
After suffering a broken nose due to a rehearsal accident but cleared to continue, Dylan performed a dark vampire-themed waltz to “Can’t Help Falling In Love (DARK).” Judges commended his convincing lead and the sultry mood despite some technical notes.
Scores: Carrie Ann: 9, Derek: 9, Cheryl: 8, Bruno: 9 — Total: 35/40
Group Dance: The Monsterthon
All couples took to the floor for a high-energy group dance called the Monsterthon. This dance mimics a ballroom competition, where all dancers perform the hustle followed by the Lindy Hop simultaneously. Judges tap couples on the shoulder to eliminate them one by one until only one couple remains. The last standing couple earns 5 bonus points to add to their individual scores for the week.
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As the competition intensifies, injuries and drama have added unexpected twists, but the contestants continue striving to impress the judges and win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. Stay tuned for more thrilling performances next week!
https://www.hellomagazine.com/film/864274/dwts-recap-halloween-episode-7-elaine-hendrix-andy-richter-jen-affleck-dylan-efron-jan-ravnik/
