DWTS’ Val Chmerkovskiy rehearses with Alix Earle in new video

Dancing with the Stars’ viewers think something’s not adding up on Wicked Night.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, the ABC reality competition dedicated its week 6 to the upcoming Wicked: For Good. To rightfully celebrate the film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, the show used the iconic green and pink colorway for decor and had an opening number choreographed by the film’s choreographer Christopher Scott.

Along with inviting the choreographer to take part in the special, the cast also extended the offer to the film’s director Jon M. Chu, who acted as a guest judge, alongside Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba, who hit back at fans last week after they criticized her for overscoring.

During Jon’s time on the judges’ panel, he watched as contestants and their pro partners performed dances, like the Foxtrot and Quickstep, to the musical’s hit songs like No Good Deed, Defying Gravity and I’m Not That Girl.

While the director focused on how smoothly contestants moved around the dance floor, viewers’ attention wandered when they realized the music wasn’t sung by the film’s stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Dancing with the Stars judges

Dancing with the Stars fans all issue same complaint after seeing Jon M. Chu (Image: ABC)

Dancing with the Stars is known for using cover versions of popular songs for various reasons including licensing, costs, and arrangement customizations.

While fans are usually understanding and aware of the musical format of the show, they had expected more since the director was present.

On X, formerly Twitter, a fan wrote, “the director of wicked in the house but they can’t get the rights to the music ..?”

DWTS' Wicked Night

Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold were eliminated on Wicked Night (Image: ABC)

Another added, “Sponsored night yet we can’t even use the soundtrack.”

A third chimed in, “they’ve got john m chu there and cynthiana in the intro and they couldn’t get the rights to the soundtrack.”

While fans might not have been the happiest with production, they did not let that impact how they felt about the director. In fact, they praised his presence and judging skills, with one saying, “Mr Jon M. Chu, I was unfamiliar with your game! The accurate critiquing and scoring???? We might need you every week.”

Jon M. Chu

Director Jon M. Chu made a guest appearance on DWTS (Image: Getty)

Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold were eliminated at the end of the night after performing a contemporary routine to The Wizard and I.

Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Dylan Efron and Jen Affleck are amongst the season’s contestants who are still in the running for the Mirrorball Trophy.

The Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei and his partner Jenna Johnson were the last duo to win the iconic prize. Their season left big shoes to fill as it attracted the highest total viewership in over three years, with 7.95 million viewers watching the finale.