Who Was Voted Off “Dancing with the Stars”? Why “Dedication Night” Surprised the Stars

There’s a moment in reality television when the music cuts, the lights dim slightly, and the host says four words that echo louder than any fanfare:

“No one is going home.”

That was exactly the twist on Dancing with the Stars on Tuesday, October 14, during Season 34’s emotionally charged Dedication Night. In a move few saw coming, the judges spared every remaining cast member—meaning no elimination. It was a night that danced on the edge of heartbreak and celebration, and left fans and contestants alike blinking at the scoreboard in shock.

Let’s step into the ballroom and unpack exactly what happened, how it unfolded, and why this twist felt like both a gift and a gamble.

The Stage Is Set: What Is Dedication Night?

Reality TV thrives on themes, and DWTS’s “Dedication Night” is among the most emotionally vulnerable. On this evening, each celebrity gets to dedicate their dance to someone who changed their life—a parent, a partner, a mentor, a sibling. What’s new this season: those honored were actually invited to join the performance, making the moment literal instead of symbolic.

It’s a night for gratitude. For tears. For revealing the heart behind the choreography.

And it’s precisely the kind of night where sending someone home might feel cruel.

The Numbers Behind the Moves: Who Scored What

Before the twist was revealed, these were the judges’ scores (out of 40) for each pair on Dedication Night:

Celebrity + Pro Dedication To Score (out of 40)

Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach His younger sister 36

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson His mother, Terri Irwin 35

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy Her younger sister 35

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas Her husband 33

Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa Her father 32

Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold His husband 30

Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten Best friend & actor Lisa Ann Walter 30

Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik Her mother 29

Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov Former Boy Meets World co-star Bill Daniels 29

Andy Richter & Emma Slater His daughter 24

Even with the spread in scoring, the judges decided that—on this night—every star deserved to stay in the competition.

The Twist: No One Goes Home (Surprise!)

Imagine the tension. The contestants, hearts pounding, awaiting fate. Then, Alfonso Ribeiro steps forward with:

“All of you! No one is going home tonight.”

The judges explained that Dedication Night was too sacred for elimination—even as they reminded everyone that votes and scores would carry over to the following week’s “Wicked Night.”

It was a beautiful catch: merit and memory intertwined, and the show’s format bent for emotional gravity.

Why Dedication Night Turned Into a Sanctuary

1. The Emotional Weight

Dedication Night isn’t just about dancing—it’s about vulnerability. Contestants open up their lives. Loved ones appear. Personal stories become public. It felt dissonant to punish someone on such a sacred night.

2. A Narrative Reset

Think of this twist like a story arc in a novel hitting a plot turn. It resets expectations. The stakes don’t disappear—but they sharpen. It’s like giving every contestant a second chapter instead of closing someone’s book prematurely.

3. Building Momentum Into “Wicked Night”

By rolling over all votes and scores, the show created a headwind for the next episode. The drama is escalated: more dancing, more tension, more reason to tune in.

4. Rewards for Consistency

In sparing everyone, the show rewarded consistency over a single night’s slip. And in a competition where longevity matters, that’s a powerful message.

Highlights & Heartstrings: Moments That Stood Out

Robert Irwin’s Tribute

He dedicated his dance to his mom, Terri Irwin, embracing the legacy of his late father, Steve Irwin. Terri even joined him on stage. His routine? A contemporary performance to “You’ll Be in My Heart” that brought many to tears.

Danielle Fishel & the Mr. Feeny Reunion

Danielle danced to a Boy Meets World–themed jive, dedicating it to William Daniels (aka Mr. Feeny). He appeared via Zoom—and later in real life—during the performance. The nostalgia was electric.

Dylan Efron’s Sibling Love

Dylan’s most polished performance landed him the top score of the night: 36/40. He dedicated his dance to his younger sister, Olivia, highlighting that even siblings can be your deepest connection.

Who’s Still in the Competition?

Because no one was eliminated, all ten couples remain 🌟:

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy

Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik

Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten

Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa

Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov

Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach

Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold

Andy Richter & Emma Slater

The votes and scores from Dedication Night count heading into the upcoming Wicked Night.

What’s Next & How to Watch

When: Wicked Night airs Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Theme: Wicked — yes, as in the musical/movie.

Voting: Opens again during the live show. Fans vote by app or text, and those votes, paired with judges’ scores, decide who stays.

Streaming: Episodes air live on ABC or can be streamed on Disney+ the same day. Next-day streaming is available via Hulu and bundles with Disney+.

The Big Question: Who Was Voted Off?

Short answer: No one.

The judges exercised a rare non-elimination twist to carry every dancer forward.

Prior eliminations this season included Hilaria Baldwin, Lauren Jauregui, Baron Davis, and Corey Feldman.

Why This Twist Matters (and Why It Works)

1. It Amplifies Emotional Stakes

Dedication Night is emotionally loaded. No elimination felt like honoring the rawness of that display.

2. It Keeps More Contestants in Play

By postponing elimination, the competition stays richer for longer, allowing for more story arcs, rivalries, and surprise growth.

3. It Incentivizes Long-Term Engagement

Votes carry over. If a fan skipped a week, their champion might still win (or lose) next week. It keeps audiences invested.

4. It Reflects the Show’s Humanity

Sometimes, the best moment is to pause the game and let the heart speak louder than the scoreboard.

Looking Ahead: Will This Backfire?

This twist is romantic—like a fireworks show that doesn’t end when you expect. But such moves carry risks:

Expectations reset. Viewers might begin to expect non-elimination episodes as emotional insurance.

Scores matter more. With votes compounding, a weak score tonight could haunt a contestant later.

Pressure mounts. Everything will be magnified on Wicked Night. Any slip-ups might cost more than usual.

Final Thoughts

When Dancing with the Stars chose not to eliminate someone on Dedication Night, it did more than shock a live audience. It sent a message: some nights are too sacred for competition. The dance isn’t always about beating someone else—it’s about beating your own limits, honoring your roots, telling your story.

In that way, Dedication Night was not a break in the game—it was its emotional core.