'DWTS' Recap: Semifinals Bring a Tearful Tribute Dance, 2 Big Announcements and a Double Elimination

Mar. 15, 2025

DWTS Semifinals.Photo: Disney+

It’s semifinals night forDancing with the Stars!

Stakes were high on Monday night as the celebrities entered the second to last week of competition — and with it, came another double elimination.

Ahead of the dances, co-hostsTyra BanksandAlfonso Ribeiroannounced that the semifinals would consist of two rounds of competition: one final ballroom dance style and one final Latin dance style that they haven’t performed yet.

The evening also came with two major announcements: Head judgeLen Goodmanrevealed he would beretiring at the end of this season, while proWitney Carsonshared that she’scurrently pregnant with her and husband Carson McAllister’s second child.

FIRST ROUND

Wayne Brady and Witney Carson

The singer-actor said he could relate to the song choice because he made a mistake once with ex-wife Mandie Taketa and found himself “begging” for forgiveness.

Though they ultimately got divorced, Wayne said the past experience helped him connect him to the dance on Monday. “This is a competition where I know I have technical deficits but I do know if I put my story and put my heart, and you’re vulnerable… you still win, so I have to put it out there,” he said.

After the dance, Len said “the choreography matched the music really well” and called the performance a “great way to start tonight’s show.” Bruno Tonioli also enjoyed the dance, describing it as “strong and stylish.”

But he also received construction criticism.Derek Houghpointed out several things he would’ve liked to see since it was the semifinals, andCarrie Ann Inabaurged Wayne to “ground yourself in.”

Score: 36/40

Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart

Daniel said he was “thrilled” to get 10s last week and now feels like he’s “in the cool club” being at the top of the scoreboard. He also was excited to represent for the deaf community. “I’m really honored… and I hope they’re proud,” he said.

After his routine, Derek called it “impressive” and Bruno noted how “charming” he was on the dance floor. “That was beautiful… the connection between you and Britt is beautiful,” he said.

“That was so special,” Carrie Ann added with tears. “Nothing is ever forced with you. It’s authentic.”

However, Len said he “found it a little bit skippy at times.”

Score: 35/40

Shangela and Gleb Savchenko

The drag superstar said it was “a dream come true” to dance to aLady Gagasong because “every time I see her, she gives me so much love.” Shangela then added, “This is the edge, and now it is time to step over the edge.”

“It is so easy to love you, because everything you do, you do not live in fear,” Carrie Ann said. “You are not afraid to fail. It makes your performances so exciting.”

Len echoed the judges' sentiments, calling it “wonderful,” while Derek praised her for a job “well done.”

Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas

The TikTok star also expressed some self-doubts as she headed into the semifinals. “I can very easily get into my own head,” she revealed. “Ballroom dances are the hardest for me… I want to make sure this dance is perfect.”

“I’m feeling pressure because this has become more than just a dancing show to me,” she added, noting that she’s been able to find pieces of herself that she thought she once lost.

Derek said Charli is the “first celebrity to really look like a ballroom dancer.” Bruno also commended her and said she “dances like an angel.”

Score: 40/40

Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater

His dance, however, didn’t seem to produce the feedback he was hoping to receive as the judges were critical of his performance. Still though, they pointed out how much he’s improved.

“It’s amazing how much you have improved since week one. You have gotten stronger and stronger,” Len said, before noting that his “footwork was a little bit hit or miss.”

Derek said he was “a little flat-footed… but Trevor, you have had an incredible journey. It’s unbelievable to see how much you have improved.”

Bruno also said his “footwork could have improved but I love watching you on the dance floor,” while Carrie Ann called the dance “strong, clean and really confident,” and added, “There’s a reason why we’ve saved you so many times.”

Score: 32/40

“For me, it holds a special place because I did just go through a break up… The end of our relationship happened because we weren’t completely in step and in sync with each other on our common goals or just the way we approach life,” the former Bachelorette said. “We weren’t each other’s best match.”

“But I’m just so grateful that my dad and my stepmom encompass so many fundamentals and values that I look for in a relationship: never placing blame or you did this or that. OK, someone left the microwave dirty. But, like, it doesn’t matter. … I want to channel that kind of everlasting love in this dance,” she added.

Derek later called her dance “flawless” and Bruno praised her ability to use the “changes of pace.” Carrie Ann also called it “very human and wonderfully danced.”

SECOND ROUND

Wayne and Witney

“It resonates with me because I am where I am because of the women in my life,” he said. “Losing my grandmother this year, that almost took me out. She’s the reason why I came on the show so I want to be able to pay homage to her.”

Wayne explained that he was very close to her and she died after a battle with dementia and Alzheimer’s.

“The worst part of it was she was always the loudest, strongest person in the room, so to watch that person be very aware,” he said, before getting choked up with emotion. “To know that she’s losing herself and losing her memories. She would talk to me and say, ‘I know, I know it’s happening.'”

The tribute performance to his grandma began with Wayne singing before they took the dance floor — and earned mass praise from the judges.

Len called it a “polished performance” but noted it “lacked a little bit of content.” Derek said it was “so fantastic to watch” and commended Wayne’s vocals as well. Carrie Ann disagreed and said “a dance is not just technique… you threw everything in and Grandma Valerie is saying well done!”

Wayne was left in tears afterward as he struggled to share just how much the dance meant to him.

Score: 37/40

Daniel and Britt

Daniel reflected on his friendship with Gabe, his interpreter, who he met at aCODApanel. The actor said his costars told them Gabe sounded like him and it was the “first time in my life” that he heard that.

From there, the two were inseparable — and that team has now extended to include Britt. “He takes care of us, he takes care of me… we have perfect chemistry together and I’ve never seen that before,” Daniel said.

The judges all enjoyed the performance, with Bruno noting how it “was one of the hardest dances to do, and you did it very well,” and Carrie Ann praising him for doing the dance with “swagger.”

Daniel later said it was “very difficult to learn two dances this week” but eventually felt comfortable with it. “I’m so grateful to Britt for pushing me. She made me feel great tonight,” he said.

Score: 34/40

Shangela and Gleb

However, “with hard work, I know I can dig deep to push forward,” she said.

As she and Gleb rehearsed, Shangela noted that the “difficulty is [high]” but “I’m listening to Gleb because he has the keys to get me to the mirrorball trophy… I’ve got it inside me so I’ve just gotta let it shine.”

Charli and Mark

“I’ve got to give it my all every second of rehearsal,” she said. “My mom struggled with letting go… I’m going up against a load of actors and people that have a big personality so I have to be on my A game if I want to make it to the finals.”

Nerves didn’t seem to phase Charli, though, as she left the judges speechless with her dance.

Carrie Ann rushed over to Charli to hug her afterward and said her “perfection is another level” while Len called it “fantastic.” Derek said the routine was “absolutely iconic” and Bruno said she “captured the essence of the spirit of Spain.”

Trevor and Emma

Trevor once again expressed disbelief about making it to the semifinals before praising Emma for helping him to make it this far. He even said he was dedicating the dance to her for all they’ve been through.

He then began to push himself even further in rehearsals, despite hitting some hiccups along the way. “I’m gonna do everything I can to make it to the finale because Emma deserves it,” he said.

“This partnership has been so wonderful and so spectacular,” Carrie Ann said, as Derek commended their chemistry. “It was a great dance, you should be really, really proud,” he added.

Speaking about their partnership later, Trevor said, “It’s been everything. I came here with zero dance experience, I came here kinda flailing and I needed someone that I could support and count on and Emma was there every step of the way.”

Score: 33/40

Bruno called it “amazing” and said “that was genius” while Carrie Ann pointed out that she’s “never seen her dance with so much intensity and so much ferocity.”

Results

Then, it was announced that Trevor and Emma had been eliminated from the competition.

This left Shangela and Gleb and Daniel and Britt in the bottom two, with the judges left to choose one pairing to send to the finale.

Bruno, Carrie Ann and Derek all voted for Shangela and Gleb, which sent Daniel and Britt home in the semifinals.

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Dancing with the Starsairs live on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+.

source: people.com