Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars featured a brand-new theme. That’s right: it’s TikTok night! DWTS couples danced to songs that gained popularity on TikTok. And after all, this is a fitting theme since several of this season’s competitors are TikTok influencers. Alix Earle and the stars of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, Whitney Leavitt and Jen Affleck, are all TikTok stars.
Last time, the competitors faced their first elimination, and it was double trouble. Actor Corey Feldman and his partner, reigning champ Jenna Johnson, bid farewell to the ballroom. And NBA All-Star Baron Davis was also eliminated, along with his partner, Britt Stewart. Comedian Andy Richter and Emma Slater avoided being sent home, despite also being at the bottom of the leaderboard.
What happened in Dancing with the Stars Season 34, Episode 3?
What a fantastic night of performances in the ballroom! Viewers were given a variety of dances to enjoy, including the tango, salsa, samba, foxtrot, and cha-cha. There was even a quickstep and jazz routine in the mix!
The opening number, set to Charli xcx’s hit Apple, featured Season 31 Mirrorball champion Charli D’Amelio. This is fitting since Charli is a TikTok superstar. The routine featured moves that Kelley Heyer turned into viral moments.
Later on, Charli joined in with the DWTS troupe to a routine set to Meghan Thee Stallion’s hit, Savage. Britt Stewart and Jenna Johnson choreographed the fun and entertaining routine, which showcased dance moves made popular by Keke Janajah. And, finally, Charli danced with her Season 31 partner, Mark Ballas, to Sam Gellaitry’s song, Assumptions. They are such a treat to watch.
Who was eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 3?
Lauren Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong were eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 3!
This was a real shocker. Actress Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten joined comedian Andy Richter and Emma Slater in the bottom three. Plus, singer Lauren Jauregui and her partner, Brandon Armstrong, also landed in the danger zone. When it was announced that Lauren and Brandon were going home, Emma and Alan were visibly shaken. My jaw was on the floor.
Lauren and Brandon danced to Fifth Harmony’s hit Work From Home featuring Ty Dolla $ign. This was Lauren’s first Latin dance, and judge Derek Hough told the couple that they needed “more fire for Latin.” He also told Lauren, “There is something beautiful about the way you move.” Meanwhile, Carrie Ann Inaba said that she wanted “more dynamics” from the singer. The duo ended up at the bottom of the leaderboard, tied with Andy and Emma.
Last week, Lauren and Brandon tied for third place on the leaderboard when the first two weeks of scoring were combined. Their foxtrot was smooth and elegant, and I was really impressed.
When asked how she felt about being voted off, Lauren replied, “Pissed.” She told Brandon, “Honestly, I am so grateful to have you as a partner.”
Lauren had a great deal of potential, and her ballroom dances were incredible. Given a bit of time to master the Latin dances, she could have made it to the finale. I feel like it wasn’t Lauren’s time to exit.
Who got the top score of the night in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 3?
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa tied with Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas for the highest score in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 3.
There was a shake-up on the leaderboard this week. For the last two weeks, Whitney Leavitt and Mark tied with conservationist Robert Irwin and Witney Carson. This week, Olympian Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa tied with Whitney at the top of the leaderboard. Both couples ended up with a score of 24 out of 30 points.
Once again, Whitney showed out with a sassy and sexy samba to Mystikal’s hit, Shake Ya *ss. “Shake it anymore, and you’re going to cause an earthquake,” judge Bruno Tonioli stated. He also praised Whitney’s samba bounce, which is difficult to sustain. “You ate that dance up!” Carrie Ann added.
Meanwhile, Jordan and Ezra performed a moody and emotional tango to Anxiety by Doechii. This dance was personal for Jordan, who suffers from anxiety. In this routine, Ezra portrayed anxiety as Jordan struggled against him.
And Jordan cried at the end of their performance. “Baby, don’t cry. You’re improvement has been astonishing,” Bruno told Jordan. “Clean, clear, powerful, focused – you’re best dance yet.” Carrie Ann, who also deals with anxiety, thanked Jordan for sharing her story. “I want to say that was an example of how to be smooth and fierce,” she stated.
What were the judge’s scores in DWTS Season 34 Episode 3?
- Jordan and Ezra (Tango) – 24 points
- Whitney and Mark (Samba) – 24 points
- Alix and Val (Quickstep) – 23 points
- Dylan and Daniella (Foxtrot) – 23 points
- Hilaria and Gleb (Samba) – 22 points
- Robert and Witney (Salsa) – 22 points
- Scott and Rylee (Jazz) – 22 points
- Danielle and Pasha (Foxtrot) – 21 points
- Elaine and Alan (Tango) – 21 points
- Jen and Jan (Cha-Cha) – 19 points
- Lauren and Brandon (Cha-Cha) – 18 points
- Andy and Emma (Foxtrot) – 18 points
The competition is tight this season. I loved Dylan Efron’s foxtrot with Daniella Karagach. They somehow turned in a powerful, graceful, yet sexy foxtrot. “That foxtrot was as smooth as silk,” Derek raved. “That was exceptional.”
Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko danced a spicy samba that technically hit all the marks. “Those samba rolls were the most beautiful samba rolls we have ever seen on this show,” Derek said. In a touching moment, Carrie Ann said, “Len [Goodman] would have loved that samba. Like I could feel his presence.” However, the judge praised the dancing but noted that the “musicality was off.”
Plus, influencer Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy performed a quickstep to Pop Muzik by M / Robin Scott. They incorporated moves from choreographer Molly Long, who came into the studio to help. Bruno called the duo’s routine “a sparkling performance. You’re a contender.”
Final thoughts on Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 3
Overall, I enjoyed the TikTok-themed night. I was gasping over Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying and his partner, Rylee Arnold’s, jazz routine to Like JENNIE by JENNIE. It showed off Scott’s charisma and was fun and fresh. “You just owned that floor! You were the king of TikTok Night!” Carrie Ann exclaimed.
And Robert’s shirtless salsa was … epic. Poor Carrie Ann was nearly tongue-tied! I am still stunned by Lauren’s elimination. Yes, she was at the bottom of the leaderboard, but it was clear that she could go far in the competition based on her dance technique. The level of competition for Season 34 is beyond fierce. It is going to be a wild ride!
Get out your Mickey Mouse ears for Disney Night next week, as DWTS celebrates the 70th anniversary of Disneyland.
Dancing with the Stars airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC and Disney+. It will stream on Hulu the next day.
TELL US – WHICH SEASON 34 EPISODE 3 ROUTINE WAS YOUR FAVORITE? WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT LAUREN AND BRANDON WERE SENT HOME?
