DWTS Dedication Night: No Eliminations, Double Axing Next Week, and Chmerkovskiy Suspension
On October 20, 2026, 'Dancing With the Stars' Season 35 aired its emotional Dedication Night, resulting in no eliminations. All ten remaining couples performed tributes to loved ones or places, with scores ranging from 32 to 38 out of 40. Co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced that all scores and votes would carry over to next week's 'Horror Movie Night,' where two couples will be eliminated. Pro Val Chmerkovskiy was absent due to a one-week suspension for a controversial social media post referencing the 2022 Oscars slap; he was replaced by Alan Bersten for Jenna Dewan's routine. Tyler Cameron revealed he and fiancée Tate Madden are expecting a baby girl. Julia Stiles honored late co-star Heath Ledger with a cast reunion.
Key points
- No couples were eliminated on Dedication Night; all scores and votes carry over to next week.
- Next week's 'Horror Movie Night' will feature a double elimination, with two couples sent home.
- Val Chmerkovskiy was suspended for one week after posting a TikTok referencing the Will Smith Oscars slap; he apologized and is expected to return.
- Jenna Dewan danced with substitute pro Alan Bersten, scoring 37/40 for a Viennese waltz dedicated to her mother.
- Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov earned the highest score of the night, 38/40, for a contemporary dedicated to Glenn's sister.
- Julia Stiles scored 36/40 for a tribute to Heath Ledger, featuring a reunion of the '10 Things I Hate About You' cast.
Background
This episode marked Week 6 of Season 35, following last week's 'Super Bowl Night' where Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson were eliminated. The show had previously seen eliminations of Conner Leavitt, Sarah Jane Nader, Giada De Laurentiis, Taylor Hanson, Ciara Miller, and Guillermo Rodriguez. The Val Chmerkovskiy suspension stemmed from a post made after judge Carrie Ann Inaba criticized his wife, Jenna Johnson, during the Super Bowl Night episode. Chmerkovskiy's post referenced Will Smith's 2022 Oscars slap of Chris Rock, leading to a BBC Studios statement calling the post inappropriate and suspending him for one week. He has since apologized, and sources indicate he expects to return next week.
How outlets are covering it
All four outlets (Page Six, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Sports Illustrated Lifestyle) reported the same core facts: no elimination, scores carrying over, and a double elimination next week. Page Six and Deadline emphasized the emotional tributes and the Chmerkovskiy suspension drama. The Hollywood Reporter focused on the BBC Studios statement regarding the suspension and the voting mechanics. Sports Illustrated Lifestyle provided detailed breakdowns of individual judge scores, noting that Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov received two 10s and two 9s for their 38/40 score. Deadline highlighted that no couple scored above a 9 on individual judge scores until Kym Johnson gave a 10 to Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach. All outlets agreed on the scores and the outcome, with no significant disagreements on the facts presented.
Why it matters
The decision to skip elimination on Dedication Night and implement a double elimination next week significantly alters the competition's trajectory, potentially eliminating two couples at once. The Val Chmerkovskiy suspension highlights the show's zero-tolerance policy for social media conduct, even when the post is an apology or reference to a past event. The emotional tributes, particularly Julia Stiles' cast reunion and Tyler Cameron's pregnancy announcement, generated significant public interest and media coverage, reinforcing the show's appeal as a platform for personal storytelling and celebrity drama.
What to watch
The next episode of 'Dancing With the Stars' airs on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC and Disney+. This episode will be themed 'Horror Movie Night' and will feature a double elimination, with two couples sent home based on the combined scores and votes from Dedication Night and the new episode. Val Chmerkovskiy is expected to return to the ballroom to dance with Jenna Dewan, pending final decisions from the show's producers.
- Which ‘Dancing With the Stars’ couple went home on ‘Dedication Night’? Page Six
- ‘Dancing With The Stars’ Recap: Dedication Night Features A Lot Of Tears & ’10 Things I Hate About You’ Cast Reunion Deadline
- ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Recap: Dedication Night Brought Tears, a Pregnancy Announcement and an Elimination Shock People.com
- Grab the Tissues, It’s Dedication Night on ‘Dancing With the Stars’: See the Scores, Who Went Home The Hollywood Reporter
- ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 35 Week 6 Live Recap: Dances, Scores and Elimination Sports Illustrated Lifestyle
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