Emotional Moments From Dancing With The Stars' Dedication Night

The latest episode of “Dancing With the Stars” was nothing short of a rollercoaster of emotions during “Dedication Night.” Each of the remaining nine couples took center stage, honoring influential figures in their lives through heartfelt performances. This episode, aired on October 15, showcased not only the contestants' dancing skills but also their personal stories, making it a memorable night for audiences. Former pro dancer Mark Ballas returned as a special guest judge, joining the regular panel of Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli.

The standout moment came from Derek Hough and his wife, Hayley Erbert Hough, whose beautiful routine to "Beautiful Things (Acoustic)" by Benson Boone left judges, hosts, and the audience in tears. This performance was particularly poignant as it marked Hayley's return to the ballroom after undergoing brain surgery. The couple's journey was shared in a touching video, detailing their struggles and triumphs during her recovery.

In the video, Derek spoke about the difficult times they faced, including Hayley's battle to regain her strength and learn to walk again after surgery. “It was hard. I was struggling, but every time I walked in that room, Haley had a smile on her face,” he reflected. His admiration for her resilience shone through as he referred to her as his “beautiful miracle.” This episode not only highlighted the dancers' technical skills but also their personal growth and emotional strength, leaving a lasting impact on everyone watching.

What Each Couple Danced To and Their Scores

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong: Contemporary to "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack, dedicated to Chandler’s mother — Score: 32/40
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold: Argentine Tango to "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes, dedicated to men’s gymnastics — Score: 33/40
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson: Contemporary to "Unsteady (Erich Lee Gravity Remix)" by X Ambassadors, dedicated to former NCAA head football coach Mike Leach — Score: 36/40
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach: Rumba to "Shoot For The Stars" by Dwight Howard, dedicated to his children — Score: 29/40
Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy: Rumba to "Because You Loved Me" by Céline Dion, dedicated to Phaedra’s mother — Score: 32/40
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko: Salsa to "Mi Gente" by J Balvin & Willy William, dedicated to Brooks’ sisters — Score: 32/40
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson: Viennese Waltz to "Lose Control" by Teddy Swims, dedicated to his fiancée, Kelsey Anderson — Score: 36/40
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten: Rumba to "My Way" by Yseult, dedicating the routine to Ilona’s U.S. women’s national rugby sevens team — Score: 32/40
Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber: Foxtrot to "The Archer" by Taylor Swift, dedicated to Taylor Swift — Score: 32/40

Elimination Surprises

In a surprising twist, Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko were eliminated despite not being at the bottom of the leaderboard. “It’s been amazing and we’ve had so much fun,” Nader expressed, clearly shocked by the results. Gleb added, “I want to thank you for an amazing season I’ve had,” revealing that he had high hopes for their journey on the show.

Remaining Competitors in the Competition

The competition is still fierce, with several talented couples left striving for the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The remaining contestants include:

Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong
Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold

As the season progresses, viewers are eager to see how each couple will continue to honor their loved ones through dance while striving to secure their place in the competition!