Dancing With the Stars Shocks Fans With Surprise Elimination Twist on Dedication Night

 

No One Sent Home on DWTS Season 34’s Emotional Dedication Night

In a touching moment that had both fans and contestants tearing up, Dancing With the Stars season 34 took a heartfelt turn on Oct. 14’s Dedication Night — and ended with a major surprise: no one was eliminated.

After emotional performances where each celebrity dedicated their dance to a loved one — from parents to partners and lifelong friends — host Alfonso Ribeiro revealed the unexpected twist.

“The first couple who is safe is…” he began dramatically, before announcing, “All of you! No one is going home tonight.”

Cohost Julianne Hough then explained that “all of the scores and votes from tonight will carry over to next week,” allowing every contestant to continue their DWTS journey.

Actress Elaine Hendrix summed up the emotion of the night perfectly:

“It means everything to me. This is a true second chance of my life — a dream come true, and I’m beyond grateful.”

The remaining season 34 contestants include Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, Whitney Leavitt, Danielle Fisher, Dylan Efron, Jen Affleck, Scott Hoying, and Andy Richter.

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Hilaria Baldwin Reflects on Her Emotional DWTS Exit

Just a week prior, Hilaria Baldwin and her partner Gleb Savchenko were eliminated — but the mom of seven handled it with grace and gratitude.

Speaking to E! News, Hilaria shared what she told her daughter before joining the show:

“I said to my daughter, ‘What happens if I get voted off right away?’ She said, ‘Mommy, at least you tried.’ And I hope they always know that: at least I tried.”

Her husband, Alec Baldwin, also expressed his pride on Instagram, writing:

“I love you, Hilaria. I’m proud of you. It’s been wonderful for the family to support you as you’ve supported us every day. This was a dream come true for you.”

Following her exit, Hilaria addressed online criticism in an Instagram Live, saying she felt she had been “bullied off the show.”

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Behind the Ballroom: How Much Do DWTS Contestants and Pros Really Make?

While emotions run high on stage, Dancing With the Stars is also known for its impressive paychecks. According to past reports from Variety, celebrity contestants can earn up to $295,000 per season, starting with around $125,000 for rehearsals and the first two weeks. The longer they stay, the more they earn.

Former winner Bobby Bones revealed on the Trading Secrets podcast that he made close to $400,000 during his season, explaining, “It ends up being about $50,000 per episode if you last.”

As for the professional dancers, salaries vary — but they’re also guaranteed pay through a certain number of weeks, even if eliminated early. DWTS pro Jenna Johnson explained on The Morning After podcast that while winners don’t receive a million-dollar bonus, they do get “a cute trophy and a finale bonus.”

Meanwhile, troupe members earn less than the main pros. Lindsay Arnold once shared that her salary was “cut more than in half” when she moved from pro to troupe member.

And when it comes to partner pairings, pros don’t get much say. “You get no say — it’s just, ‘Here’s your partner, make it work,’” Lindsay revealed. Pairings are typically based on height, build, personality, and chemistry, ensuring compatibility on and off the dance floor.

Finally, fans might be surprised to know that the pros and stars rehearse up to four hours a day, six days a week, and costumes are designed in just five days or less — complete with hundreds of hand-placed rhinestones.

As costume designer Daniela Gschwendtner put it, “We try to keep everybody fresh and new in something different every week, so it stays interesting.”