DWTS Halloween Night recap : The ballroom of Dancing with the Stars transformed into a spooky spectacle on October 28, 2025, for the highly anticipated Halloween Night episode of season 34. With just nine couples remaining, the competition ramped up, delivering eerie performances filled with haunting choreography and thrilling suspense. This episode also featured the much-loved return of the “Dance Monster-thon,” a dance marathon challenge that tested stamina and style under the watchful eyes of the judges.
Spooky Celebrations and Themed Performances
The couples dazzled audiences and judges alike with costumes and choreography that paid homage to the eerie spirit of the holiday. Dances ranged from Argentine Tango and Paso Doble to Contemporary and Jazz, all performed with a spooky flair.
Singer Whitney Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas won the coveted title of “Dance Monster-thon” king and queen. Judges eliminated couples one by one, awarding bonus points based on how long each pair stayed dancing. Whitney and Mark secured the maximum five bonus points for their endurance and energy, catapulting them to second place on the night’s leaderboard.
Judges’ Panel and Guest Appearance
Adding excitement to the episode was the return of Cheryl Burke, a two-time Mirrorball champion and longtime fan favorite, who joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli on the judges’ panel. Cheryl’s presence added authority and warmth, as she gave insightful feedback drawing from her extensive experience on the show. Her critiques emphasized technical precision, emotion, and storytelling, contributing to the high stakes of the night.
Standout Scores and Performances
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy topped the leaderboard with a breathtaking
- Tango performance to Billie Eilish’s “Bury a Friend,” earning
- an impressive 39 out of 40 from the judges. With an additional four points from
- the dance marathon, their total for the night reached 43, putting
- them in a strong position heading into the next rounds.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson’s Argentine Tango to “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” impressed the judges enough to earn a combined score of 38 out of 40, placing them third overall for the evening. Their chemistry and technical execution were widely praised.
Rough Night for Some and a Shocking Elimination
While many couples soared, others struggled with injuries and tough critiques. Actress Elaine Hendrix suffered a rib injury during rehearsal and was unable to perform live; her prerecorded routine received a score of 32 out of 40. Despite her setback, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro confirmed her commitment to stay in the competition.
Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik, however, faced elimination after receiving the lowest combined total of judges’ scores and fan votes. Jen expressed heartfelt gratitude, sharing that she joined the competition for her children and cherished the experience.
What Lies Ahead
With only four weeks left in the season, the intensity of the competition is increasing. The Halloween Night performances showed the stars stepping up their game, preparing viewers for a dramatic and thrilling road to the finale on November 25, 2025. Fan engagement remains a strong factor, with viewer votes playing a critical role in who stays and who goes each week.
How to Watch and Follow Up
Dancing with the Stars airs live on ABC and streams on Disney+. Fans can catch all episodes and exclusive behind-the-scenes content on the official DWTS social media channels and website. The next episode, airing on November 4, promises new themes and even higher stakes as the competition moves closer to crowning the season 34 Mirrorball champion.
The Halloween Night episode of Dancing with the Stars season 34 combined haunting visuals, powerful performances, and high drama to deliver another memorable night of competition. From the thrilling Dance Monster-thon to Cheryl Burke’s insightful judging, the episode showcased why DWTS remains a fan favorite. As contestants push their limits with just weeks remaining, viewers can expect even more spectacular dances and emotional moments as the quest for the Mirrorball intensifies.
