Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas were shockingly eliminated during DWTS Season 34‘s Prince Night semi-finals on November 18, 2025. Despite scoring 58 out of 60 points, the top contenders didn’t make the cut. Their combined score tied for second place on the leaderboard. This unexpected elimination sent shockwaves through the ballroom and the fan community.

 Quick Facts:

Whitney and Mark scored 58/60 but still got eliminated.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson topped the leaderboard with 59 points.
Five couples advance to the November 25 finale on ABC.
The voting combined judges’ scores and viewer votes.
Zac Efron attended his first live taping to support brother Dylan.

What Happened on Prince Night Semi-Finals

Whitney and Mark delivered two stunning performances on November 18. Their first routine was a cha cha to “1999” that earned 29 out of 30 points. Their second performance was a Viennese waltz to “Slow Love” scoring another 29/30. Combined, they earned 58 total points.

Yet despite the exceptional scores, they didn’t survive the semi-final elimination. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson led with 59 points, while Alix Earle also matched Whitney’s 58-point total. The judges included Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli.

“I already feel like a winner. It’s changed my life and I’ll forever be so grateful to have this experience,” Whitney said after learning the new — Whitney Leavitt, DWTS Contestant

The evening featured emotional moments throughout. Jordan Chiles scored her first-ever perfect score of 30/30 and cried during her interview. Alix Earle broke down in tears over the judges’ praise. The night honored the late Prince with all performances set to his iconic songs.

Why This Elimination Shocked Fans

Whitney and Mark had been considered a top contender all season. Many fans expected them to qualify for the finale easily. Throughout Season 34, they earned consistent high scores and delivered reliable, polished performances.

The combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes determined the elimination. Sometimes viewer votes differ from judges’ opinions. This semi-final round proved that even excellent scores don’t guarantee advancement. ABC’s voting system values both factors equally.

Social media erupted with reactions. Fans expressed their disbelief over Whitney’s elimination across multiple platforms. Many called it one of the season’s most shocking upsets. They questioned if viewer votes favored other contestants more strongly.