Taylor Hanson Exits DWTS Season 35 After Yacht Rock Night

Key points

• Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart were eliminated after scoring 18 points on their foxtrot to 'What a Fool Believes.'
• Amber Glenn and Harry Shum Jr. tied for the highest score of the night with 24 points each.
• Guillermo Rodriguez received the lowest score of 15 points for his foxtrot to 'Escape (The Piña Colada Song).'
• Maura Higgins scored 23 points, a notable improvement from previous weeks, according to TV Insider.
• The next episode, airing October 6, will feature Mariah Carey songs.

Background

Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars premiered on September 15, 2026, on ABC and Disney+. The season features a diverse cast including Olympians, reality stars, and actors. Previous weeks saw eliminations of Alan Bersten, Giada De Laurentiis, Sarah Jane Nader, and Hailey Bills. The judges are Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, with Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough hosting.

How outlets are covering it

Deadline and TODAY.com reported the elimination of Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, noting the emotional reaction from both. TV Insider provided detailed judge feedback, highlighting Amber Glenn's 'ice queen' performance and Maura Higgins' 'Golden Age Hollywood' elegance. All sources agreed on the scores and elimination, but TV Insider emphasized the judges' constructive criticism, while TODAY.com focused on the emotional aspect of the elimination. Deadline noted that some song choices were not strictly yacht rock, a point also raised by a viewer comment.

Why it matters

The elimination of Taylor Hanson marks the first celebrity exit of the single-couple dance phase, signaling the intensifying competition. The high scores for Amber Glenn and Harry Shum Jr. indicate strong performances, while the low score for Guillermo Rodriguez suggests he may be at risk in future weeks. The upcoming Mariah Carey theme will test the contestants' ability to perform to iconic pop songs.

What to watch

The next episode of Dancing With the Stars will air on October 6, 2026, featuring Mariah Carey songs. The remaining 12 couples will perform to hits from the pop superstar. Viewers can expect continued scrutiny from the judges and potential eliminations as the competition narrows.