ANGKOR TOUR

The competition on “DWTS” is heating up as the show enters its final stretch. The November 19 semifinals saw the remaining five contestants take the floor twice, performing one ballroom and one Latin routine in a bid to claim a coveted spot in the finale.

The evening opened with a vibrant pro and troupe performance to Dua Lipa’s “Dance The Night,” choreographed by Sasha Farber and Ezra Sosa. Adding to the night’s highlights a special performance of Tate McRae’s “Greedy (Acoustic).”

Choreographed by Mandy Moore, the routine showcased dancers set to hit the road for the “DWTS Live 2025 Tour.” Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough offered advice and critique as they delivered their second-to-last scores, keeping emotions high throughout the night.

The semifinals took an unexpected turn, leaving fans talking. In a twist that surprised many, no one was eliminated this week. Every contestant was declared safe, setting the stage for a five-person showdown in next week’s finale.

As the news sank in, social media lit up with divided reactions. “I think it’s corny doing a five-person finale two years in a row 😭,” lamented one viewer. Another user, clearly unimpressed by the outcome, labeled the episode “POINTLESS.”

The critiques didn’t stop there. Some fans expressed frustration over the finalists, with one commenting, “Two mediocre men in the finale is such a slap in the face.” Others channeled their disappointment into humor, with one user posting, “Pls let there be an elimination” on repeat like a mantra.

Despite the wave of criticism, not everyone was upset with the semi-finals. Some fans embraced the unexpected outcome and cheered for the chance to see all five pairs compete again.

“I love it that no one went home!” one viewer gushed. Another shared, “I had tears. I didn’t want Ilona or Stephen to go home tonight. So happy everyone gets another chance!” The stress of the night even turned into relief for some. “I was so stressed! This made me so happy! All 5 pairs again next week!” exclaimed one commenter.

Others found a silver lining in the drama.“I wanted someone eliminated tonight, but by the end, I realized I wanted Chandler in the final so bad. I was fine with no one going home if it got her there lol, [sic]” admitted one person.

Defenders of the decision also chimed in. “Idk why everyone is hating on a 5-person finale,” one person argued. “The votes and scores still carry over so it still does matter. And now you just vote for your fav to win. It’s fun! [sic]”

The twist might have sparked a debate, but it certainly kept the conversation alive. Here’s how the semifinal stars lit up the ballroom and impressed the judges.

First up, Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson dazzled with their elegance in a Foxtrot to “I Won’t Dance” by Erin Boheme featuring District 78. They then turned up the intensity with a fiery Paso Doble to “Come Together” by The Beatles, securing an impressive 58/60 and setting a high bar for the evening.

Matching their energy, Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong brought a spicy touch with their Salsa to Jason Derulo and Michael Bublé’s “Spicy Margarita.” They followed it up with a captivating Foxtrot to Hozier’s “Too Sweet,” earning another 58/60.

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten combined grace and drama in their performances. Their Viennese Waltz to JVKE’s “Golden Hour” was a vision of elegance, while their orchestral Paso Doble to Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ “Unholy” brought a bold edge. Their efforts earned them 57/60, keeping them firmly in the competition.

Danny Amendola and Witney Carson shifted gears, blending emotional depth with infectious energy. Their Viennese Waltz to John Mayer’s “Gravity” was poignant and smooth, while their Salsa to “I Like It” by Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin brought the party vibes, scoring 54/60.

Rounding out the night, Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold kept the audience engaged with their spirited routines. Their Tango to “Sweet Disposition” by The Temper Trap showcased sharp precision. Additionally, their Cha Cha to “Bailar” by Deorro featuring Elvis Crespo was full of fun and flair, earning them a respectable 53/60.

But even with all the contestants advancing, the tension in the ballroom was undeniable. Pro dancer Armstrong found himself under the spotlight for an unexpected reason during his Foxtrot with partner Kinney. Judge Inaba, known for her eagle-eyed focus on ballroom rules, called out Armstrong for lifting his foot off the floor—twice.

She didn’t hold back, pinpointing the exact moments where the mistakes occurred and mentioning it wasn’t the first time she’d flagged this issue for the duo. Armstrong and Kinney exchanged confused looks at the critique, prompting fellow judge Hough to step in with a supportive “You know what it is.”

The awkward moment didn’t go unnoticed, and Armstrong later clarified his reaction to co-host Julianne Hough in the skybox. “I want to clarify—I’m not upset with Carrie Ann,” he explained. “I just didn’t remember her mentioning the lifts with us before. I love you, Carrie Ann!”

Despite the hiccup, Inaba praised their performance and awarded them a solid 9. Meanwhile, Judges Hough and Tonioli each handed out perfect 10s, leaving the pair just one point shy of a flawless 30.

Armstrong, feeling the weight of his slip-up, apologized to Kinney. “I’m sorry for your one point. I cost us one point,” he said, only for Kinney to brush off the concern with reassuring words. The pressure was palpable, especially for Kinney, who had set the bar sky-high by earning perfect scores in last week’s episode.

In their rehearsal video package, she admitted that anything less than perfection felt like a step backward. With the finale just around the corner, the stakes—and emotions—are higher than ever.