Dancing With the Stars Grammy Night Delivers Celebrity Performances and Shocking Elimination: Who Went Home? Dancing With the Stars brought music royalty, memorable performances and an unexpected elimination to the ballroom as Season 35 celebrated its first-ever Grammy Night. The special episode featured dances inspired by Grammy-winning and nominated artists, surprise appearances from major music stars and a new competitive twist that gave contestants another opportunity to earn valuable points.
However, despite delivering one of the strongest performances of the evening, a major frontrunner was sent home, leaving contestants and viewers surprised by the outcome.
The Grammy-themed competition required celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners to perform routines inspired by some of the biggest names and songs in the music industry. The episode also introduced a dance-off competition, in which two couples performed the same dance style to the same song simultaneously.
Unlike the regular performances, the dance-off placed contestants directly against one another. Judges selected a winning couple in each matchup, with the winners receiving two additional points added to their overall scores. The competition also featured live musical performances, making the evening particularly special.
Among the biggest attractions were singers Brandy and Monica, alongside Maren Morris and Sheryl Crow, who appeared in the ballroom as the couples competed.
But the biggest surprise came at the end of the episode when Jenna Dewan and professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy were eliminated from Season 35, despite delivering one of the night’s highest-scoring performances.
Their departure was particularly unexpected because the pair had finished with the second-highest individual performance score of the evening. Their elimination highlighted how much viewer voting can influence the competition, even when contestants receive strong marks from the judges.
Jenna and Val performed a jazz routine to Janet Jackson’s hit song “All for You.” The performance carried an additional personal connection for Dewan, who had previously danced for Jackson. Before the routine, the show played a special video message from the pop superstar wishing the actress good luck.
The couple received 28 out of 30 points for their performance, placing them among the strongest performers of Grammy Night. Nevertheless, their combined judges’ scores and audience votes were not enough to keep them in the competition.
Elsewhere, the ballroom welcomed another special guest when Black Eyed Peas member will.i.am appeared to support Tatyana Ali and her professional partner Jan Ravnik. The duo performed a tango to the group’s hit “Boom Boom Pow” and earned 27 out of 30 points.
The result represented their highest judges’ score of the season so far, giving the pair an important confidence boost as the competition entered another demanding stage.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson delivered the highest-scoring performance of the night, earning 29 out of 30 points for their salsa routine to “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. They came closest to receiving a perfect score, although no contestant managed to secure all 30 points.
Harry and Jenna also entered Grammy Night with an advantage. The couple had earned immunity from the dance-off competition following their performance during the previous week’s Disney Night, allowing them to avoid the additional head-to-head challenge.
The dance-off round produced further competition between the remaining contestants. Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, and Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas each won their respective matchups, receiving two additional points.
Despite Jenna and Val winning their dance-off, the bonus points could not prevent their elimination.
Following the latest departure, the celebrities continuing in Season 35 include Tatyana Ali, Ezra Frech, Amber Glenn, Maura Higgins, Harry Shum Jr. and Connor Wood.
The remaining contestants now face increasing pressure as the competition approaches its later stages. Every performance carries greater importance, with judges’ marks and audience support determining who advances and who leaves the ballroom.
The elimination process combines judges’ scores with votes submitted by viewers. Each viewer can cast up to 10 votes per couple through each available voting method, including the official ABC website and text messaging.
Voting takes place during the East Coast broadcast and closes shortly after the final performance. West Coast viewers must submit their votes during the earlier voting window, generally between 5 p.m. and approximately 6:45 p.m. Pacific Time.
Last week’s episode saw Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa eliminated, making Jenna and Val the latest couple to leave the competition.
Full Grammy Night Solo Dance Scores:
- Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach: 27/30
- Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov: 28/30
- Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas: 27/30
- Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy: 28/30
- Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik: 27/30
- Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold: 27/30
- Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson: 29/30
With Grammy Night delivering celebrity appearances, competitive dance-offs and an unexpected elimination, Season 35 continues to demonstrate that strong judges’ scores alone cannot guarantee a contestant’s survival. As the remaining couples compete for the championship, audience voting could prove just as decisive as their performances on the dance floor.
