Dancing with the Stars Rock & Roll Night Ends in Chaos — Carrie Ann Inaba Apologizes, One Contestant Cries, and a Guest Judge Sparks Controversy
The ballroom lights dimmed, the guitars roared, and the crowd was ready for a wild night. On Tuesday, November 4, 2025, Dancing with the Stars Season 34 delivered one of its most dramatic episodes yet — Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night. The theme honored the upcoming 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and it brought out every ounce of energy, emotion, and unpredictability the show is known for.
Eight celebrity-pro couples hit the floor, performing to classic rock anthems from Bon Jovi, Elton John, Aerosmith, and more. The audience was on its feet, judges were on edge, and for a brief moment, it felt like the entire ballroom was living inside a music video. But what happened next turned a night of fun into one of the most talked-about moments of the season.
Carrie Ann Inaba, known for her sharp eye and heartfelt feedback, made headlines after publicly apologizing to one contestant following a tense exchange that left emotions raw. Earlier in the night, one competitor had broken down in tears after receiving what many felt was a harsh critique. As the camera cut back to the judges’ table, Carrie Ann took a deep breath and said the words no one expected: “I want to apologize.” The crowd erupted in applause, and for a moment, the ballroom went from glittering to grounded — a reminder that this show isn’t just about perfect scores, but about vulnerability and humanity.
The emotion didn’t stop there. Adding to the unpredictability, guest judge Flavor Flav — yes, the rap legend himself — joined the judging panel alongside Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann. His energy was electric, his reactions over-the-top, and his scoring… a little confusing. During Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy’s fiery paso doble to Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer,” the pair earned three 10s from the regular judges. But when Flav’s turn came, he raised a “9” paddle — and then admitted seconds later he meant to give them a 10 but pressed the wrong button. The moment drew laughter and disbelief across the room. The mis-score went viral within minutes, sparking fan debates online about whether guest judges should have scoring privileges at all.
Despite the chaos, the performances themselves were among the strongest of the season. Alix and Val dominated the floor, their paso filled with intensity and perfect timing. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas brought serious attitude with a paso doble set to Ozzy Osbourne’s “No More Tears,” earning praise from Derek for “precision and power.” Elaine Hendrix, who had been recovering from injury, returned to deliver a haunting Viennese waltz to Dionne Warwick’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love.” It was graceful, heartfelt, and — perhaps unintentionally — one of the night’s most poetic contrasts to the chaos that followed.
The show’s theme lent itself to nostalgia and freedom, but also competition. Rock & Roll Night pushed every dancer to embody rebellion, emotion, and passion — and not all of them could handle the heat. Actress Danielle Fishel, beloved for her childhood TV role, faced elimination after performing a contemporary routine to Aerosmith’s “Dream On.” The dance was raw and heartfelt, but her emotional reaction afterward — tears streaming as she hugged her partner Pasha Pashkov — left the ballroom quiet. Viewers watching at home flooded social media with messages of support, praising her courage and growth throughout the competition.
As host Alfonso Ribeiro reminded the audience, the show’s tension only proves one thing — the stars care deeply about what happens on that floor. Julianne Hough, who co-hosts alongside Ribeiro, comforted several contestants during breaks, while Bruno Tonioli added some levity with his signature exuberance, joking, “It’s rock & roll, darling — it’s supposed to be messy!”
Beyond individual performances, the team dances added a fresh layer of energy. Two groups battled it out, performing medleys to legendary hits: one team took on Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4,” while the other grooved to Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration.” The live band element gave the performances a true rock concert feel. For many fans, this was classic Dancing with the Stars — spectacle, energy, camaraderie, and a touch of beautiful chaos.
But as the music faded and the night wound down, emotions were still running high. Carrie Ann’s apology continued to resonate with both fans and contestants. Some described it as “the most genuine moment of the season,” while others noted how rare it is for a judge to publicly walk back criticism on live TV. Online, fans flooded Twitter with comments like “Carrie Ann showed true class tonight” and “That apology was everything.”
Meanwhile, Flavor Flav’s scoring blunder became meme material. Within hours, clips of him shouting “Yeah boyee!” and holding the wrong paddle had accumulated millions of views across TikTok and Instagram. Some fans found it hilarious; others thought it was unfair to the dancers. Regardless, the incident made Rock & Roll Night one of the most-discussed episodes of the season.
The competition itself is now entering its most critical stretch. With only three weeks left before the Season 34 finale, every mistake matters. The leaderboard remains tight, with Alix and Val leading, Whitney and Mark close behind, and dark horses like Elaine and Alan potentially poised for a late-season surge. For Danielle and Pasha, the journey ended with grace. Danielle thanked fans for their love and said through tears, “This experience reminded me that it’s never too late to try something that scares you.” Her exit was met with a standing ovation.
The night captured everything that Dancing with the Stars has become over nearly two decades — a mix of glamour, grit, vulnerability, and spectacle. Rock & Roll Night may have been chaotic, but it was also unforgettable. In a single episode, viewers saw technical brilliance, heartfelt emotion, and the kind of unscripted humanity that makes live television magic.
Carrie Ann’s apology will likely go down as one of the defining moments of the season — a rare glimpse of accountability and compassion in a competition built on critique. Flavor Flav’s mis-score, while humorous, reminded audiences that DWTS thrives on unpredictability. And the dancers themselves? They reminded everyone watching why this show continues to endure — because at its heart, it’s about courage, connection, and the power of performance.
As the credits rolled and the crowd’s applause faded, you could almost feel the collective exhale in the ballroom. Next week brings a new theme, new dances, and new drama — but for now, Dancing with the Stars fans will be talking about Rock & Roll Night for a long time to come.
