DWTS Season 35: Ciara Miller Eliminated After Mariah Carey Night

Key points

• Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong were eliminated after scoring 21/30 for a jazz routine to 'Emotions'.
• Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas earned the season's highest score of 25/30 for a waltz to 'If It's Over'.
• Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson posted the lowest score of 13/30 for a samba to 'Obsessed' but survived due to viewer votes.
• This is the second consecutive week of unexpected eliminations, following the previous week's departure of Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart.

Background

Season 35 of 'Dancing With the Stars' began in September 2026 with a star-studded cast including Jenna Dewan, Harry Shum Jr., and Maura Higgins. The show has seen a series of eliminations, including Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills in Week 2, and Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart in Week 3. The Mariah Carey Night was the fourth week of the competition, featuring performances to hits like 'Emotions', 'Fantasy', and 'Obsessed'.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter both reported on the elimination of Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong, noting the 21/30 score for their jazz routine. The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the season's highest score of 25/30 for Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, while Page Six focused on the reaction of 'Summer House' co-star Kyle Cooke to the elimination. All sources agreed on the lowest score of 13/30 for Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, but noted that they survived due to viewer votes. The sources also emphasized the second consecutive week of unexpected eliminations, with Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter both noting the previous week's departure of Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart.

Why it matters

The elimination of Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong marks a significant moment in 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 35, as it is the second consecutive week of unexpected eliminations. The show's high scores and low scores highlight the competitive nature of the competition, and the survival of Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson despite their low score underscores the importance of viewer votes in the elimination process. The Mariah Carey Night also showcased the versatility of the contestants, as they performed to a variety of hits from the singer's discography.

What to watch

The next episode of 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 35 will air on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and will feature a Super Bowl Night theme. The remaining contestants, including Tatyana Ali, Tyler Cameron, Jenna Dewan, Ezra Frech, Amber Glenn, Maura Higgins, Jackson Olson, Guillermo Rodriguez, Harry Shum Jr., Julia Stiles, and Connor Wood, will continue to compete for the title of 'Dancing With the Stars' champion.