Dancing with the Stars 2025 is firing on all cylinders! Season 34 has assembled a cast of reality stars, an Olympian, social media influencers, actors, and singers. I suspect that every DWTS fan has someone to root for, which always makes for a fun season.
Our trusty judges, Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, have been sizing up the competition, and it is fierce. The scoring during Episode 1, when Carrie Ann was unable to attend due to illness, was a bit wild. However, nearly every contestant has improved their scores and presented a better performance during week two.
During the first elimination of the season, two contestants quickstepped out of the ballroom. Actor Corey Feldman and his partner, Jenna Johnson, got the boot after being at the bottom of the leaderboard for two weeks. In a surprising twist, NBA All-Star and successful entrepreneur Baron Davis and his partner, Britt Stewart, were sent home. The couple was tied for eighth place on the leaderboard, above comedian Andy Richter and Corey.
Dancing with the Stars 2025 has five leading couples
Season 34 of DWTS has a tight field of competitors. Ten couples on the leaderboard have a score of 30 or higher after a combined two weeks of competition. The highest score on the leaderboard is a tie, held by Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson, along with Whitney Leavitt and her pro, Mark Ballas, is 37 points. So, unlike some other seasons, the celebrities have plenty of potential. After all, to stay in the running for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, the competitors are depending on votes from their fans. Dancers cannot thrive with just excellent scores from the judges.
While this season is extremely competitive, five couples stand out from the pack. These leading couples have what it takes to take home that glittering Mirrorball. Some duos are already front-runners, while others have the potential to make it to the finale. Check out our picks for the five couples to watch on DWTS 2025.
Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
During the DWTS Season 34 premiere, influencer Alix Earle and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy danced a cha-cha. While Alix appeared stiff at times during the dance, her flirty connection and chemistry with Val were on full display.
During One Hit Wonder Night, the duo danced a sexy jive to Lou Bega’s Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of … ). Derek raved about the couple’s “powerhouse partnership.” Not only is Alix a good dancer, but she has a great presence and energy. Val and Alix landed in a three-way tie for third place on the leaderboard.
It was obvious that Alix was more comfortable in front of an audience during week two. If she can continue to keep any nerves and injuries at bay, she has a solid chance of making it to the finale. Plus, Val is a seasoned pro with three Mirrorball wins under his belt. So far, this couple’s chemistry has been one of their biggest assets.
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas
Whitney, who stars on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, loves to dance in her TikToks. Plus, she has prior dance experience and participated in dance competitions when she was growing up. Of course, just about every season of DWTS has someone with dance experience.
Meanwhile, Mark, who thankfully came out of retirement for Season 34, is already creating ballroom magic with Whitney. Their week one tango was fierce and earned praise from the judges. For Episode 2, the duo danced a sexy, sizzling cha-cha that showcased their connection and chemistry. Once again, Whitney is paired with an experienced, three-time Mirrorball champion.
DWTS viewers can tell how much Whitney loves to dance, and that joy shines through in her performances. She and Mark were locked in a first-place tie with Robert and Witney for the first two shows. There is no doubt that Whitney is one of the front-runners this season.
Jordan Chiles and Brandon Armstrong
Olympic medal-winning gymnast Jordan Chiles hasn’t had the easiest start on DWTS. It usually takes a while for some gymnasts to get used to ballroom dance. During the Season 34 premiere, Jordan and her partner, Ezra Sosa’s salsa earned 10 points out of 20.
However, her jive routine for One Hit Wonder Night was furious, fast, and fun. She leapt over Ezra’s head and kept dancing without missing a beat. This time, she scored 22 out of 30 points.
Jordan has a lot of tools in her back pocket. As an athlete, she is disciplined, hard-working, and thrives on feedback. She is also very competitive. I enjoy her enthusiasm, and I applaud when her personality becomes part of the routine. While she may have had a slower start than some of the other competitors, I still think that Jordan and Ezra have a good chance of making it to the season finale.
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
Robert has been the biggest surprise of the season. He has zero dance experience, other than watching his big sister, Bindi Irwin, take home the Season 21 Mirrorball. Yet, he exploded on the scene with an entertaining and complicated jive in Episode 1. Then Robert, who is partnered with Witney, followed that up with a tango, complete with a hip-hop-flavored break in the middle of the routine. Somehow, he also channeled his inner leading man during the performance.
Not only does Robert have great technique, but he also exudes enthusiasm, charm, and charisma. His personality shines through, and Witney’s creative choreography is an excellent fit for him. After his first spin on the dance floor, it was clear that he was a front-runner to nab the Mirrorball. The wildlife conservationist’s zest for life is refreshing, as is his humble reaction to his scores. Crikey! Keep your eye on this duo!
Lauren Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong
Lauren Jauregui, who is a member of Fifth Harmony, is dancing with pro Brandon Armstrong. During her week one tango, Lauren impressed with her performance ability and technique. For her next performance, she danced an elegant, smooth foxtrot that screamed Old Hollywood glamour.
“There’s something very mesmerizing about you when you dance,” Carrie Ann told Lauren after her performance. “You draw people in.” While Lauren is mastering ballroom technique, she also commands the audience’s attention by infusing her personality into the dance. Of course, as a member of Fifth Harmony, Lauren is used to being in front of a live audience. So, that is another advantage that she has in the competition.
At the end of Season 34 Episode 2, Lauren was in a three-way tie for third place with Alix and Val, plus Jen Affleck and newbie pro Jan Ravnik. With her elegance and charisma, Lauren could snag the Mirrorball.
Dancing with the Stars is available to stream on Disney+.
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