Whitney Leavitt eliminated from Dancing with the Stars despite top judge scores

On Tuesday, November 19, 2025, Whitney Leavitt, reality star of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, and her professional dance partner Mark Ballas were unexpectedly eliminated from the semifinals of Dancing with the Stars, despite dominating the judges’ scoreboard for seven of their ten weeks on the show. The shock exit, broadcast live from the ABC Television Center in Los Angeles, left fans stunned and sparked immediate online outcry. Leavitt and Ballas had consistently earned perfect 10s and led the leaderboard—yet viewers’ votes, not judges’ scores, decided their fate. As the cameras cut to Leavitt’s tearful reaction, it became clear this wasn’t just about dance moves—it was about connection, vulnerability, and the unpredictable nature of reality TV.

Why Judges Couldn’t Save Them

The Dancing with the Stars season 29 followed the familiar format: judges award points based on technique, creativity, and performance, but the public vote ultimately decides who stays. Leavitt and Ballas earned a combined 120 out of 120 possible points across their final two routines—a flawless record. Their Viennese waltz to “The Sound of Silence” and their freestyle to “I Will Survive” were widely praised as among the season’s best. But in a twist that echoed past seasons, the public’s emotional connection didn’t align with the judges’ rankings. While Leavitt’s authenticity and charm resonated with some viewers, others seemed drawn to younger contestants or more traditional celebrity profiles. The result? A top-tier pair sent home before the finale.

“You know, I already feel like a winner,” Leavitt told George Pinacchio of KVUE News in Austin, Texas, moments after the elimination. “This show has meant the absolute world for me. It’s changed my life.” Her words weren’t just PR. She’d spoken openly during rehearsals about battling anxiety and finding confidence through dance. Her journey—from a reality TV figure often mocked for her persona to a graceful, emotionally resonant performer—was a quiet triumph.

The Human Cost of Competition

What made this elimination feel different was the raw intimacy between Leavitt and Ballas. A two-time Dancing with the Stars champion, Ballas has danced with celebrities ranging from Olympians to Hollywood stars. But with Leavitt, he told producers, “it felt like home.” Their bond, forged over 12-hour rehearsal days and late-night pep talks, became visible to viewers. In her interview, Leavitt didn’t just talk about losing the competition—she talked about losing a friend. “It almost feels like a bit of a breakup,” she said. “You spend so much time with your dance partner, with people behind the scenes that you don’t see.”

That emotional weight didn’t go unnoticed. Social media exploded with #SaveWhitney and #BallasLeavittForever trending across platforms. Fans posted side-by-sides of her first rehearsal—nervous, stiff, unsure—and her final performance, fluid and radiant. “She didn’t just learn to dance,” one fan wrote. “She learned to believe in herself.”

The Road to the Mirror Ball Trophy

With Leavitt and Ballas gone, only five couples remain in the running for the iconic Mirror Ball Trophy, a 5-pound, 18-inch gleaming prize awarded each year at the season finale. The remaining competitors include a former NFL player, a TikTok dancer, a Broadway star, and two other reality TV personalities. The finale, scheduled for Dancing with the Stars Season 29 Finale on Tuesday, November 26, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time, will feature a live broadcast from the same ABC Television Center in Los Angeles. Each couple will perform two routines: one to honor their journey and another to prove they’re worthy of the trophy.

ABC, under its Disney Entertainment division, has not yet announced whether Leavitt will be invited back for the “All-Stars” special next spring. But insiders say her name is already on the shortlist. “She brought something real,” one producer told Entertainment Weekly. “That’s rare.”

Behind the Scenes: How Voting Really Works

Many viewers assume judges’ scores carry equal weight to public votes. They don’t. In Dancing with the Stars, public votes make up 50% of the final tally, while judges’ scores account for the other half—combined and ranked. The bottom two couples face elimination, and the one with the lowest combined ranking is sent home. Leavitt and Ballas had the highest judge scores, but their public vote percentage dropped sharply in Week 9 after a controversial social media post by Leavitt’s husband went viral. While she never commented on it, the backlash lingered. Viewers who once cheered her now hesitated to vote.

It’s a pattern seen before. In 2018, professional wrestler Drew McIntyre was eliminated despite perfect scores, sparking similar outrage. In 2022, actress Tia Mowry made it to the finals despite low judge scores because of massive fan support. The show thrives on drama—but this season, it exposed the tension between artistry and popularity.

What’s Next for Whitney Leavitt

Leavitt’s social media following jumped 300% overnight after her elimination. She’s already been approached by publishers for a memoir and by wellness brands for代言. Her husband, who had initially opposed her participation, posted a heartfelt video saying, “I’m so proud of the woman you became.”

As for Ballas? He’ll return next season as a pro, but he’s already hinted at a new project: a dance therapy nonprofit for women recovering from emotional trauma. “Whitney showed me what this dance can do,” he told People. “It’s not about trophies. It’s about healing.”