Dancing with the Stars Full Recap: Two Couples Earn Perfect 10s While One Contestant Is Sent Home in an Emotional Wicked Night Episode
It was a magical night in the ballroom as Dancing with the Stars turned into the Emerald City for Wicked Night — a celebration of the hit Broadway musical that brought drama, emotion, and some of the best performances of the season. With green lights, fog, and a soundtrack straight out of Oz, Week 6 of Season 34 was one to remember. Ten couples returned to the dance floor on Tuesday, October 21, each hoping to impress the judges and the fans with their themed routines. By the end of the evening, two pairs made show history with the season’s first perfect 10s, while one fan favorite was heartbreakingly sent home.
From the opening number, it was clear the cast was ready to bring the magic. Dancers glided across the stage in emerald-inspired costumes, and the orchestra’s rendition of songs from Wicked set the perfect tone for the night. The judges — Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli — promised tough love but fair scores, emphasizing that the halfway point of the competition means “every step counts.”
The standout of the evening came when one couple’s Argentine Tango to “Defying Gravity” brought the audience to its feet and even brought Carrie Ann to tears. “That was storytelling at its most powerful,” she said through a visibly emotional reaction, her voice trembling. It was one of those rare DWTS moments that reminded everyone why this show still captivates after so many seasons — the ability to turn a dance into a deeply human expression. Derek and Bruno agreed, praising the performance for its passion and technical brilliance. When the scores came in, the first 10s of the season lit up the scoreboard.
Later in the night, another pair delivered pure joy with a quickstep to “Popular,” earning them the second set of 10s for the evening. Their bright energy and chemistry filled the ballroom with applause and cheers, proving that the competition has reached a level where perfection isn’t just possible — it’s expected.
But as always, the celebration came with its share of heartbreak. The lowest-scoring pair of the night faced elimination, and emotions ran high as their names were called. Tears were shed both on stage and in the audience, as cast members hugged their departing friend. The contestant thanked their partner for the unforgettable experience, calling the journey “a dream come true” and promising to keep dancing even after leaving the show.
Host Alfonso Ribeiro, along with co-host Julianne Hough, kept the energy balanced between laughter and empathy, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the night. “We’ve seen joy, we’ve seen heart, and we’ve seen growth,” Julianne said as the episode closed.
Social media erupted almost immediately after the broadcast, with fans celebrating the perfect scores and expressing shock over the elimination. Many praised the show for one of its most cinematic episodes in recent memory, calling the Wicked theme “pure magic.” Others shared that they were moved to tears by the emotional tango, proving once again that Dancing with the Stars is more than just a dance competition — it’s a show about connection, transformation, and vulnerability.
As the glitter settled, the scoreboard tightened and the competition became fiercer. With only a few weeks left until the semifinals, every dance will matter more than ever. But for one night, Dancing with the Stars proved that even after decades, it still has the power to transport audiences — from the dance floor straight into the heart.
