Despite “Dancing With the Stars” co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro teasing throughout the night that one couple would go home, “Dedication Night” resulted in no elimination — a culmination of an emotional night filled with heartfelt performances.
“The first couple who is safe is … all of you! No one is going home tonight,” Ribeiro teased at the end of the episode, which saw judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli joined by guest judge and two-time Mirrorball champ Kym Johnson-Herjavec.
“On such a special night, we didn’t want anyone to be sent home,” Hough added, noting that “all of the scores and votes from tonight will carry over to next week.”
Riberio then delivered a twist about next week, saying, “But this is important: In keeping with ‘Horror Movie Night,’ two couples will be axed.”
Throughout the evening, the 10 remaining couples delivered emotional performances dedicated to, as a press release from ABC explains, “the influential people and places that have shaped their lives.”
As is tradition with “Dedication Night,” friends, family members and special guests of the celebrities were incorporated into each routine.
The night kicked off with Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach performing a contemporary to “Bloodline” by Mon Rovia, for which they scored a 37/40. The routine was dedicated to the Paralympics gold medalist’s mom, Iranian-born actress Bahar Soomekh, who appeared in the Oscar-winning film “Crash” and joined the duo on the ballroom floor.
Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik then took to the ballroom to perform a Viennese waltz to “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson. They were joined by Ribeiro, the actress’ “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” co-star, as they honored their TV dad, James Avery, who died in 2013 at the age of 68 following complications from open-heart surgery. The pair earned a 32/40.
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas scored a 35/40 for their paso doble to ‘I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys, which was dedicated to the “Traitors” alum’s beloved home country of Ireland. Professional Irish dancer Lochlan Howard joined the pair for their routine.
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater earned a 32/40 for their quickstep to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, which was dedicated to the Savannah Bananas star’s mom, Laura, who joined them on the dance floor.
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov’s contemporary to “Breathe Me” by Sia, which was dedicated to the Olympian gold medalist’s sister, Brooke, garnering a 38/40 — the highest score of the night. The sisters shared a special moment together during the performance.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson garnered a 36/40 for their foxtrot to “Stop This Train” by John Mayer, which was dedicated to the “Glee” alum’s wife, Shelby. The actor’s entire family joined him in the ballroom for the special night.
Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold’s Viennese waltz to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” dedicated to the comedian’s dad, Pete, garnered them a 32/40.
“Bachelor Nation” star Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess’ contemporary set to Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers” — and dedicated to mothers — earned them a 32/40. Cameron’s fiancée, Tate Madden.
The “Bachelorette” alum revealed during the performance that he and Madden are expecting their first child together, a baby girl.
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa’s foxtrot to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli scored them a 36/40. The routine was dedicated to the actress’ “10 Things I Hate About You” co-star Heath Ledger, who died of an accidental overdose in 2008 at the age of 28.
After a week of behind-the-scenes drama, all eyes were on Jenna Dewan and temporary partner Alan Bersten — who ultimately earned a 37/40 for their Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers.
They were joined by the “Step Up” actress’ mom, Nancy, who joined them for the routine and was the source of inspiration behind the routine — which judge Carrie Ann Inaba called a “breakthrough” dance.
Bersten, who was eliminated earlier this season with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, stepped in to dance alongside Dewan after her usual partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, was suspended from the competition for one week after he made what producers called an “inappropriate” comment about Inaba.
Following the judge’s tense critique of Johnson during last week’s episode, Chmerkovskiy referenced Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards — one of the most infamous moments in recent Oscars history — regarding Inaba. Chmerkovskiy has since apologized for his social media blunder.
Sources told Page Six that Chmerkovskiy’s suspension took him “by surprise,” but that “he took it gracefully and he understood.”
Our insider added that Chmerkovskiy “fully expects” to be back in the ballroom for next week’s live show.
Previous eliminations this season have included “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Conner Leavitt, “Love Thy Nader” star Sarah Jane Nader, De Laurentiis, Hanson singer Taylor Hanson, “Summer House” star Ciara Miller and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” star Guillermo Rodriguez.
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