This week’s Dancing With the Stars sent a surprise exit to a fan-favorite pair, narrowing the field as the competition hits its midseason stride. On a themed night dedicated to Mariah Carey’s catalogue, one couple bowed out after a closely scored performance that split judges and viewers.
The duo leaving the ballroom were Ciara Miller — known from Bravo’s Summer House — and professional partner Brandon Armstrong. Their jazz routine to Carey’s 1991 hit “Emotions” earned a score that left them vulnerable in the results round; by the episode’s end they were announced as the fifth team eliminated from Season 35.
Scores, songs and the bottom three
Judges’ marks and audience votes combined to place three pairs at risk of departure. The lowest-scoring performance of the night came from Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, while Jackson Olson and Emma Slater tied with Miller and Armstrong on the judges’ scoreboard.
| Couple | Song (Mariah Carey) | Judges’ Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong | “Emotions” (1991) | 21 / 30 | Eliminated (5th) |
| Jackson Olson & Emma Slater | “Without You” (1994) | 21 / 30 | In danger — survived |
| Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson | “Obsessed” (2009) | 13 / 30 | In danger — survived |
Castmates and fans reacted quickly on social platforms after the outcome was revealed. Kyle Cooke, who appears with Miller on Summer House, told media he and others had voted and praised Miller’s commitment to the show, saying she treated her rehearsals with seriousness and showed off some steps while filming earlier this season.
Why this matters now
The elimination tightens a field that is already shaping the season’s front-runners and underlines how theme nights and song choice can swing results. For viewers who follow reality-television crossovers, Miller’s departure removes one of the series’ most visible Bravo faces from the competition and shifts fan voting dynamics going forward.
- Momentum change: With a popular contestant gone, voting blocs may redistribute to other celebrities.
- Judges’ influence: The score gap on theme nights can be decisive, especially when audience votes are split.
- Programming tie-ins: Next week’s episode leans into a “Super Bowl” theme, part of ABC/ESPN’s promotional schedule ahead of the big game.
Producers have scheduled a football-themed episode for the next live show, a clear promotional tie to ABC and ESPN’s upcoming broadcast of the Super Bowl. That pairing could affect music and choreography choices and may draw different voting behavior from sports-focused audiences.
Dancing With the Stars airs live on ABC and streams on Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Local viewers can also access the ABC broadcast over the air with a digital antenna tuned to their affiliate station.
Similar Posts
- Dancing with the Stars drops season 35 roster: full contestant list
- Simon Cowell to miss upcoming AGT live shows: judges rally with support before surgery
- Dancing with the Stars taps ex-juniors standout: see her updated look
- Dancing with the stars lands athlete for season 35: cast gets athletic boost
- Dancing with the Stars spin-off contestant sidelined by injury: withdraws from competition
Hello, I’m River. I inform you about the latest pop trends and viral buzz to feed your curiosity.