The Dancing With the Stars semifinals on November 18, 2025, shocked viewers after what many fans called the most undeserved elimination of the season. Despite record-breaking votes and some of the strongest performances yet, the results left the audience furious, accusing the show of losing credibility.

The night featured six couples performing two Prince-themed routines each. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson topped the leaderboard with 59/60, while several couples followed closely behind with near-perfect scores. Even the lowest-scoring pair, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, earned solid marks — making the final cut especially painful.

When results were announced, four couples were declared safe, leaving Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas eliminated. Many viewers believed she was one of the best dancers of the season, sparking immediate backlash online. Fans slammed the judges — especially Carrie Ann Inaba — and demanded a recount, flooding social media with criticism.

Despite the controversy, Leavitt graciously thanked the show and her partner. Five couples now move on to the finale, but a large portion of the audience insists the “real winner” has already been sent home. The uproar continues to dominate the conversation as the competition heads into its final week.