Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars presented its annual tear-jerking installment, highlighting the backstories of this season’s contestants. Dedication Night featured touching performances dedicated to a friend or family member of each DWTS cast member. And, each person being honored joined in on the performance. I’m not crying – you’re crying!
Last time, Hilaria Baldwin and her partner, Gleb Savchenko, found themselves in the bottom three with Danielle Fishel and her pro, Pasha Pashkov, and comedian Andy Richter and Emma Slater. Hilaria and Gleb’s Star Wars-themed quickstep landed them in fifth place on the leaderboard. However, it failed to impress viewers, and they were voted off.
This dancing duo received some online backlash because of Hilaria’s ballroom background. And Gleb’s contentious split from his Season 33 partner, Brooks Nader, amid cheating rumors, probably didn’t help their cause.
What happened in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 5?
We are down to the top 10, baby! Once again, the dance styles, including the foxtrot, jive, Viennese Waltz, contemporary, and salsa, gave everyone something to enjoy. And joining the judges was two-time Mirrorball champ, the legendary Kym Johnson. I’m so glad to see her back in the ballroom!
Plus, Jenna, Britt, Hailey, and Onye danced a gorgeous routine with Julianne set to Green Light by Lorde. Britt and Jenna choreographed the performance. The Dedication Night performances were emotional, sweet, and touched everyone in the ballroom. I’m sure the viewers were also ugly crying at home.
Who was eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 5?
No one was eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 5!
DWTS did the contestants a solid and didn’t send anyone packing on this emotional night. For the first time, the people being honored took part in the ballroom routines, making the dances even more heartfelt. Something about seeing the honorees participate in the practices and performance was uplifting and sentimental.
Several parents were honored during the evening. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jen Affleck and her partner, Jan Ravnik, invited her mom, Maria, to take part in their Viennese Waltz.
Plus, Robert Irwin honored his mom, Terri, in his contemporary routine with partner Witney Carson. And Olympian Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa paid tribute to Jordan’s father, Timothy.
Who got the top score of the night in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 5?
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach had the highest score in Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 5.
Not only did Dylan Efron and his partner, Daniella Karagach, earn 36 out of 40 points, which was their highest score of the season, but they topped the leaderboard. Dylan dedicated his contemporary routine to his five-year-old sister, Olivia. Dylan and Olivia simply adore each other, and he wants to be a great role model for her. And Olivia was charming.
Their dance was set to his brother’s Zac Efron’s song with Zendaya, Rewrite the Stars. A big nod to his family from Dylan this week. Dylan’s ballroom moments with Olivia were sweet, while his segments with Daniella were powerful.
“The message of this performance was incredible. You made my night!” judge Carrie Ann Inaba stated. “Dylan, Dylan, I hate you. You’re a great guy, you’re in shape, you can dance, and you’re a great brother,” Derek Hough remarked. “Come on, man!”
And guest judge Kym commented, “You are improving and becoming such a great dancer.” This performance was one of my favorites.
What were the judge’s scores in DWTS Season 34 Episode 5?
- Dylan and Daniella (Contemporary) – 36 points
- Alix and Val (Contemporary) – 35 points
- Robert and Witney (Contemporary) – 35 points
- Whitney and Mark (Contemporary) – 33 points
- Jordan and Ezra (Viennese Waltz) – 32 points
- Elaine and Alan (Foxtrot) – 30 points
- Scott and Rylee (Foxtrot) – 30 points
- Danielle and Pasha (Jive) – 29 points
- Jen and Jan (Viennese Waltz) – 29 points
- Andy and Emma (Salsa) – 24 points
While Andy and Emma landed at the bottom of the leaderboard again, his salsa dedicated to his daughter, Cornelia, was a crowd-pleaser. “Positively playful, pure, and full of love,” Derek noted.
Meanwhile, Whitney Leavitt honored her husband, Conner Leavitt, with her stunning contemporary routine to the song Heal by Jamal Roberts. The performance featured plenty of dancing from Conner, who killed it. The judges called out Whitney for being out of sync in a side-by-side sequence. And this marked the first time that she and her partner, Mark Ballas, didn’t top the leaderboard.
In addition, Pentatonix member Scott Hoying performed a foxtrot with his husband, Mark, and his dance pro, Rylee Arnold. They danced to a song that Scott wrote about Mark, and he opened the routine by singing to the love of his life. Not only did Scott earn his highest score of the season, but he announced in rehearsals that he and Mark are welcoming a child via surrogate. Congratulations!
Final thoughts on Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Episode 5
I must say that Robert and Witney’s beautiful contemporary routine gave me all the feels. Robert called his mom an “absolute hero to me.” Robert’s father, Steve Irwin, died tragically when Robert was only two years old. The routine was heartwarming and filled with emotion. All the judges were crying, and Derek could hardly speak.
I also enjoyed actress Elaine Hendrix’s foxtrot with Alan Bersten. She celebrated her friendship with Lisa Ann Walter, her co-star from The Parent Trap. Their routine was fun, upbeat, and bubbly.
And Danielle Fishel brought Boy Meets World to the DWTS ballroom. Not only were cast members in the audience, but she brought in actor and friend William Daniels, who portrayed Mr. Feeny. William stood in a replica of his office while Danielle and Pasha performed their jive. “That was so nostalgic,” Carrie Ann Inaba stated, before criticizing Pasha’s choreography. Yikes!
With this week’s theme, every dance was infused with feeling and connection. Having the honorees participate was a brilliant idea. Next week is Wicked Night, with Jon M. Chu, who directed the films, serving as a guest judge. I hope that you all look good in green.
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 5 ROUTINE WAS YOUR FAVORITE? IS THIS THE MOST EMOTIONAL NIGHT ON DWTS?
