With only two weeks left in the 34th season of “Dancing with the Stars,” the competition is tightening and fans are eagerly anticipating who will take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy as the show enters the semi-finals.
Following a mixed reaction to the 20th anniversary episode that saw fan favorite comedian Andy Richter and pro Emma Slater eliminated, six couples remain to compete in the semi-finals: TikTok influencer Alix Earle and pro Val Chmerkovskiy, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and pro Witney Carson, reality-TV star Whitney Leavitt and pro Mark Ballas, TV personality Dylan Efron and pro Danielle Karagach, actress Elaine Hendrix and pro Alan Bersten and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and pro Ezra Sosa.
In the most recent episode, which premiered Nov. 11, Irwin, Efron, Earle and Leavitt all earned a perfect 40/40, receiving straight 10s from the judges.
Chiles, Hendrix and Richter rounded out the bottom of the leaderboard. Eliminations are determined by a combination of judges’ scores and fan votes, and this past week, the “people’s princess” Richter was sent home after a wave of mixed reactions from viewers.
While some fans adored his presence, others felt his run should have ended weeks earlier. Still, his departure underscores just how intense and competitive the season has become as we head into the final stretch.
Next week is Prince Week, honoring the work and legacy of music icon Prince. For the semi-finals, each couple will perform two dances, one in a style which they’ve never performed before and another redemption dance from a style they’ve previously done.
Earle and Chmerkovskiy will perform an Argentine tango and Viennese waltz. Irwin and Carson will dance a jive and Viennese waltz. Leavitt and Ballas will do a cha-cha and Viennese waltz. Efron and Karagach are performing a tango and cha-cha. Hendrix and Bersten will perform a Foxtrot and a Paso Doble. Chiles and Sosa will perform a jive and Argentine tango.
We can expect standout performances from Irwin, Earle and Leavitt, who have all demonstrated polished technique from the very beginning and only continue to elevate their skills as the competition progresses.
Irwin has showcased an impressive stage presence all season, consistently winning over both audiences and judges. While performance quality can sometimes outweigh pure technique, Irwin brings both: strong dance ability paired with charismatic, expressive storytelling.
His partnership with Carson is one of the strongest in the competition and fans look forward to what they’ll bring to the table each week. His story also resonates deeply. The Irwin family inspires an emotional connection among viewers, and during dedication night and last week’s episode, the heartstrings were pulled.
The affection the public holds for the Irwin family undoubtedly gives him an added boost of fan support. Overall, his blend of skill and showmanship makes him one of the strongest contenders heading into the finale. He is my pick to take home the Mirrorball.
A tight runner-up is Earle. She has brought nothing but dedication to her time on the show, and her progress has not gone unnoticed.
Her growth from her first dance to now is remarkable, as she has truly embraced what it means to be both a captivating performer and a strong dancer. Each week she pushes herself to improve and fans love seeing that genuine drive to grow rather than to simply compete to win the trophy.
With Chmerkovskiy’s guidance, it is certain their upcoming performances are going to be top-tier. Her loyal fan base gives her another major edge, with 7.8 million followers on TikTok, she has undeniable voting power. With her consistently high scores and massive following, Earle and Chmerkovskiy are absolute contenders for the finale.
Leavitt, known from “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” has sparked some mixed reactions online regarding what some viewers believe is an unfair advantage. Leavitt has a strong dance background; she majored in it in college, and rumors have circulated that her pro partner, Ballas, specifically chose her because of her experience.
After winning Season 31 with TikTok star Charli D’Amelio, Ballas announced his retirement following 20 seasons on the show. However, speculation grew that he’d only return if paired with another seasoned dancer, like D’Amelio. Whether or not these rumors are true, many fans aren’t thrilled with his stacked deck.
Their frustration even showed in their votes: despite earning some of the highest scores of the season, Leavitt and Ballas landed in the bottom three for two weeks in a row.
Still, there’s no denying they’re the strongest technical couple in the competition. However, while technically advanced, their storytelling abilities have been lacking for me compared to Irwin and Earle. They’re about a guaranteed spot in the finale and have a very real chance at taking home the Mirrorball, but the question remains whether judges’ scores will be enough to carry her all the way.
On the bottom half for me we have Chiles, Hendrix and Efron.
While these three couples have generally scored lower than the others, none of them are weak dancers or performers. In fact, they have all shown impressive growth and have earned steady praise from the judges throughout the competition. Their trajectories make next week’s eliminations hard to predict as each of them have proven they deserve to be here.
Chiles, in particular, has a very strong chance of reaching the finale. Her improvement has been remarkable, and her partnership with Sosa continues to deliver exciting performances. Not to mention, Sosa’s choreography has been outstanding lately and I think they could really pull through to the finale.
Their dances are very memorable. I still go back and rewatch their jive from Week Two. Do I think they have a shot of taking home the Mirrorball? No. But they’re firmly in my top four and absolutely capable of making the finale.
Efron and Hendrix have also been strong contenders, consistently delivering polished, enjoyable performances. They’ve both made significant progress since episode one, but for me, none of their routines have truly been standout or unforgettable.
Efron benefits from dancing alongside Danielle Karagach, and at times, it feels like she carries the routine.
Hendrix, meanwhile, has shown resilience through injuries and setbacks. However, none of her dances stand out to me or are super memorable. They’re both entertaining and clearly talented, but I don’t think they have enough momentum to break into the finale.
The performances in the next episode will play a pivotal role in determining how the rest of the season plays out. At this point in the competition, every detail from choreography and musicality to storytelling and fan engagement can make or break a couple’s momentum. Next week’s routines will reveal who can rise to the occasion and inch one step closer to winning the Mirrorball.
