The couple danced to I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus while Rome ate a red lollipop on a couch toward the back of the stage.

Fans took to Reddit to gush about Rome’s appearance, with one person writing, “Stopppp Rome in the ballroom, I’m gonna cry,” as another said, “Rome stealing the show.”

Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Rome

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A third added, “Brb while I cry that I’m single,” as a fourth gushed, “Rome omggg cutie.” A fifth penned to fellow fans, “Who thinking Rome going to become one of the pro in the future.”

A sixth joked, “I couldn’t imagine trusting my toddler to sit still and stay quiet through that,” as yet another chimed in, “Awwww, their son is so cute!!!!!!!”

However, there were a couple of fans who didn’t enjoy the moment, with one person penning, “I’m sorry that was ridiculous.”

Another critiqued, “Them doing a slow version of I saw mommy kissing santa claus is taking me out why was I thinking it’d be the fast version.”

Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson's son Rome

Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson’s son Rome ‘stole the show’ (Image: ABC/DWTS)

The holiday special was announced during the November 25 Season 34 finale.

Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro announced to viewers, “Next Tuesday night, we are decking the halls and the ballroom for our first-ever holiday celebration. We’ll have exciting dances from our pros, surprise guests, and a performance from Pentatonix.”

Along with numerous dance numbers, the special saw past contestants reveal their favorite DWTS moments. There was also a drop-in appearance from Disney’s Stitch.

Valentin Chmerkovskiy, Jenna Johnson, Rome

Fans gushed about Valentin Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson’s son Rome (Image: ABC/DWTS)

The pros who performed on the Dancing with the Stars holiday special included 2025 Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy winner Witney Carson, second place Val Chmerkovskiy, third place Ezra Sosa, Alan Bersten, Britt Stewart, Jenna Johnson, Rylee Arnold, Brandon Armstrong, Emma Slater, Pasha Pashkov, Alan Bersten, Jan Ravnik, and troupe members Onye Stevenson, Carter Williams, Jaxon Willard and Hailey Bills.

While this is the first-ever holiday special, the show has alluded to the holidays in past finales, with several previous years featuring holiday-themed content in their finales.

The holidays appeared to be pushed aside after the show changed from a two-night-a-week format with a results show to a one-night format, but a special holiday number was featured during the Season 32 finale.

The pros, as well as Ribeiro and Hough, all participated in a number set to Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town.