Whitney Leavitt Says Her Dancing with the Stars Elimination “Feels Like a Breakup” as She Tears Up in Emotional Video
Whitney Leavitt never expected to cry on camera again so soon, at least not like this. After weeks of pouring herself into rehearsals, embracing a world far outside her comfort zone, and learning to move under the bright, demanding lights of live television, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star faced a reality that hit far harder than she ever imagined: her time on Dancing with the Stars had come to an end. And in a raw, tearful Instagram video shared with her followers, the influencer and young mom opened up about the emotional toll of her elimination, confessing that it “feels like a breakup” and that she’s still processing the suddenness of it all.
The video, filmed in a quiet corner of her home and posted just hours after the episode aired, showed Whitney with red eyes, a trembling voice, and a vulnerability that felt like the opposite of what viewers usually see from her. Known for her warm, upbeat presence on social media and her role on the hit reality series that explores the lives of Mormon wives navigating marriage, motherhood, and faith, Whitney rarely gives fans a glimpse of the moments when she’s struggling. But this time, she held nothing back.
“I didn’t think I’d be this emotional,” she began, wiping away tears as she spoke. “But it really does feel like a breakup. One minute you’re working every day with someone, seeing them constantly, pushing yourself in ways you never thought you could — and the next, it’s just… over.”
Her voice cracked as she explained that the elimination caught her off guard. Even though she knew the competition was tough and the judging unpredictable, she had built such a deep connection with the experience — and with her dance partner — that the separation hit her in a way she didn’t expect. The long rehearsals, the routines that tested every muscle in her body, the adrenaline of live performance, and the emotional intensity of preparing each week had all shaped a routine that suddenly disappeared overnight.
“I think what people don’t always understand,” she continued, “is how quickly you bond with your partner. You spend hours together every day, working through frustration, celebrating every tiny improvement. They become like your coach, your friend, your motivator… sometimes even your therapist. And then when you’re eliminated, you don’t have that anymore.”
Whitney, who has always been open about her struggles balancing motherhood and personal identity, said that joining Dancing with the Stars was one of the most challenging decisions she’d made in years. Not because she feared the stage, but because she worried about how being away from her children would affect her — and them. But in the video, she said participating in the show gave her a confidence she hadn’t felt in a long time. It reminded her that she could pursue something difficult, something physically demanding, and still maintain the roles that matter most in her life.
“I didn’t realize how much this show would change me,” she said softly. “It made me stronger. It made me feel capable again in a different way. And I’m really, really sad that it’s over.”
Reflecting on the moment her name was called during the elimination, Whitney admitted she tried to keep a brave face, but inside, she felt crushed. The emotions didn’t just stem from leaving the competition — they came from leaving an environment she had learned to love. She talked about the backstage camaraderie, the friendships she formed with other contestants, and the joy of being surrounded by people who shared the same intense, chaotic, exhilarating schedule.
“You build this little family,” she said. “Everyone is nervous, everyone is tired, everyone is doing something really hard. And that brings you together in a way that is so different from anything else.”
Her honesty struck a chord with fans, many of whom immediately flooded her comments with love, encouragement, and admiration for her transparency. Whitney said the support helped soften the blow, but she still felt the emotional ache of saying goodbye to something she cherished deeply.
She also touched on the pressure that comes with performing on a show as big as Dancing with the Stars. Although viewers often see only the polished final performance, Whitney shared that the journey leading up to those 90 seconds on stage is full of fear, frustration, exhaustion, and small triumphs that feel monumental when they happen.
“I’ve never been pushed like that before,” she said, shaking her head as if replaying the rehearsals in her mind. “There were days when I thought, ‘I can’t do this. I’m going to forget everything. I’m going to fall. I’m going to embarrass myself.’ And then my partner would say, ‘You’re doing it. Keep going.’ Those moments kept me going.”
One of the most touching parts of her message was when she spoke about her children watching her dance. She shared that one of the most meaningful things she gained from the show was the chance to show her kids what it looks like to take risks, work hard, and follow through even when things feel impossible.
“I hope they saw me trying,” she said through tears. “I hope they saw that it’s okay to do something scary. I hope they know that even when you lose, even when something ends sooner than you want it to… it’s still worth it.”
Whitney made it clear that she does not hold any resentment toward the show, the judges, or the voting system. She said she felt grateful for the time she had and proud of the routines she performed. But the sadness she feels, she explained, is simply part of the human experience — part of caring deeply about something and having to let it go before you’re ready.
“It hurts because it mattered,” she said simply.
As she wrapped up her video, Whitney thanked her partner, the cast, the fans who supported her, and the people who sent kind messages after her elimination. She ended with a small smile, one that still trembled slightly, and said she hoped that someday she could look back at this week with nothing but happiness. For now, though, she’s letting herself feel everything — the sadness, the gratitude, the grief, and the pride.
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said quietly. “Even though it hurts right now, I’m glad I did it.”
Her followers praised her vulnerability, with many saying her emotional honesty made them feel closer to her. Others noted that her reaction showed just how transformative the show can be for contestants — how even those who leave early walk away different than when they arrived. Many viewers said they hope the show will bring her back in future seasons for an All-Star round or a special guest performance.
For now, Whitney is taking time to return to her normal life — the one filled with school drop-offs, filming sessions, household routines, and the everyday chaos of motherhood. But even as she settles back into familiar rhythms, it’s clear that her time on Dancing with the Stars left an imprint she won’t soon forget.
“I’ll miss the dancing,” she said. “But I’ll miss the people even more.”
