DWTS: Who Was Voted Off This Season?

Nick Leason

-Oct 29, 2025

Each week on Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), couples compete, but only some advance. Celebrities and their professional dance partners strive to impress judges and viewers. Ultimately, some pairings are eliminated based on a combination of judges' scores and audience votes. The competition showcases dance talent while offering a glimpse into the celebrity's journey.

Key Takeaways

The voting process on Dancing with the Stars involves both judges' scores and viewer votes.
Couples are eliminated weekly until a winner is crowned.
The show features a diverse range of celebrities and dance styles.
The outcome of each week's elimination is a closely guarded secret until the live show.
Fans play a crucial role in determining who stays and who goes.

Introduction

Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) has captivated audiences for years, bringing together celebrities from various fields and pairing them with professional dancers. A key element of the show is the elimination process, where couples are gradually removed from the competition until only the winning pair remains. This process adds a layer of suspense and excitement to each episode, as viewers and contestants alike anxiously await the results.

What & Why

The elimination process on Dancing with the Stars is a blend of professional judgment and public opinion. The judges, typically experienced dancers and choreographers, provide scores based on the technical skill, artistic interpretation, and overall performance of each couple. Simultaneously, viewers at home have the power to vote for their favorite couples. The votes and the judges' scores are combined, and the couple with the lowest combined score is usually eliminated, though there can be variations, such as double eliminations or the judges' save.

The why behind the eliminations is simple: to narrow down the field of contestants and ultimately determine a winner. This competitive structure keeps the show engaging. It forces the remaining couples to continually improve and adapt their performances to win the audience and the judges over. It also allows viewers to become invested in the journey of their favorite celebrities, creating a strong emotional connection to the show. — USPS Smart Parcel Lockers: Your Guide To Secure Delivery

Benefits of the Elimination Process

The elimination process offers several benefits:

Increased Stakes: Every performance matters, creating a sense of urgency and excitement.
Viewer Engagement: Voting encourages viewers to participate actively in the show.
Celebrity Growth: Contestants are pushed to learn and grow as dancers each week.
Variety: Different dance styles and celebrity personalities keep the show fresh.

Risks & Considerations

Unfair Eliminations: Sometimes, a talented couple might be eliminated due to low viewer votes.
Fan Bias: Strong fan bases can sometimes influence the outcome disproportionately.
Emotional Toll: Being eliminated can be tough on the celebrities, who invest a lot of time and effort into the show.

How-To / Steps / Framework Application

Understanding the elimination process is key to following Dancing with the Stars. Here’s how it works:

Performances: Each week, the celebrity-pro couples perform a dance routine. The style varies, from the waltz to the cha-cha.
Judges' Scoring: After each dance, the judges score the performance on a scale, such as 1–10. These scores reflect the technical aspects and artistic merit of the dance.
Audience Voting: Viewers vote for their favorite couples via phone, text, or online platforms. Voting windows are usually open after the performances.
Combined Scores: The judges' scores and the audience votes are combined to calculate the total score for each couple.
Bottom Two/Three: The couples with the lowest combined scores are usually at risk of elimination. The number of couples in the bottom varies depending on the season and the number of contestants.
Elimination: The couple with the lowest combined score is eliminated. In some cases, the judges may have the power to save one couple, or there might be a double elimination.
Progression: The process repeats weekly, with couples eliminated until only the final pair remains.

Examples & Use Cases

To better understand the elimination process, let's look at a few examples from past seasons of Dancing with the Stars:

Season 28: In this season, several high-profile contestants competed. The voting results were often unpredictable, with couples who were strong performers sometimes landing in the bottom two due to lower viewer votes. This highlighted the importance of audience engagement.
Season 30: This season featured several instances of the judges' save, where the judges had the power to save a couple from elimination. This added an extra layer of strategy and drama to the process.
Season 32: The most recent season, which had a wide array of celebrity contestants. The competition saw a mix of established dancers and those with little to no prior experience, making the results highly competitive.

Best Practices & Common Mistakes

To make the most of your Dancing with the Stars viewing experience and understand the eliminations, consider these best practices:

Best Practices

Vote Regularly: If you have a favorite couple, vote consistently each week.
Follow Social Media: Keep up with the show on social media to see updates on voting times and performance previews.
Watch Performances: Watch the performances carefully to understand the judges' scores and the strengths and weaknesses of each couple.
Stay Informed: Read recaps and analyses of the show to stay informed about the competition dynamics and potential elimination candidates.

Common Mistakes

Not Voting: Not voting for your favorite couples, assuming others will.
Ignoring Judges' Feedback: Dismissing the judges' scores without understanding the technical aspects of the dances.
Relying Solely on Popularity: Overestimating the impact of popularity and ignoring the importance of performance quality.
Missing Voting Windows: Failing to vote during the designated voting periods, missing the chance to influence the outcome.

FAQs

How are couples eliminated on Dancing with the Stars? Couples are eliminated based on a combination of judges' scores and viewer votes. The couple with the lowest combined score is typically eliminated each week.
How can I vote for my favorite couple? You can vote via phone, text, or online platforms, depending on the season and the show's rules. Voting details are announced during the show and on their official website.
Do the judges' scores and viewer votes have equal weight? The weight of the judges' scores and viewer votes can vary. Typically, they are combined equally, but the exact formula might change from season to season.
What happens if there's a tie in the scores? If there's a tie, the judges often have to make the final decision. The tie-breaking rules can vary based on the season. — Donald Trump's Government Shutdowns: Explained
Can the judges save a couple from elimination? Yes, in some seasons, the judges have the power to save one couple from elimination. This is typically done when a couple with a high level of talent ends up in the bottom. — WIAA Football Playoffs: Your Complete Guide
When are the voting results announced? The voting results are announced live during the results show. This adds to the suspense and excitement of the program.

Conclusion with CTA

Dancing with the Stars continues to be a highlight for many viewers, thanks to its blend of celebrity performances, captivating dances, and the drama of the elimination process. Staying informed about the voting process, the judges' feedback, and the couples' journeys is part of the fun of watching the show. To stay updated on the latest eliminations and happenings, make sure to watch Dancing with the Stars every week and vote for your favorite couples!

Last updated: October 26, 2024, 14:00 UTC