Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

The Tuesday, November 11 episode of Dancing With the Stars was truly one for the books — a sparkling celebration of 20 years in the ballroom! The milestone night brought back familiar faces, emotional tributes, and performances that reminded fans why this show remains such a timeless favorite.

The ballroom was buzzing from the start with Tom Bergeron returning to the judges’ table alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough — a full-circle moment that longtime fans absolutely loved. The night also featured a heartfelt tribute to former DWTS contestants we’ve lost, as well as special appearances from the six original pros, giving the episode a perfect mix of nostalgia and celebration.

But amid the party, the competition was still on. The seven remaining celebs had to perform routines inspired by iconic freestyle dances from past seasons — and later went head-to-head in a relay round with returning Mirrorball champions. Let’s get into all the standout moments, scores, and the emotional goodbye that closed the night.

💃 Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten — Salsa (36/40)

Elaine made her comeback after a rib injury took her out two weeks ago, performing a lively salsa inspired by Mario Lopez’s Season 3 finale.

Tom Bergeron literally jumped from his seat to hug her, calling it “really good,” while Bruno praised her as “the best champagne.” Derek called her “a sizzling salsa queen,” though he hinted at the quarterfinal pressure. Elaine’s resilience shined, earning her straight 9s for a 36/40.

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🐨 Robert Irwin & Witney Carson — Foxtrot (40/40)

Talk about full-circle moments — Robert’s dance paid tribute to his sister Bindi Irwin’s freestyle, with an emotional nod to their late father, Steve Irwin.

It was pure magic. Derek was visibly emotional, telling Robert, “You are not just walking the path he set, you are dancing it.” With 10s across the board, Robert earned the first perfect score of the season and one of the night’s most moving performances.

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😂 Andy Richter & Emma Slater — Quickstep (29/40)

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🕶 Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach — Argentine Tango (40/40)

Channeling Milo Manheim’s freestyle, Dylan’s tango was packed with lifts, control, and intensity. Derek called it his “breakthrough moment by a long shot,” while Bruno crowned him “the Argentinian idol.”

It was sleek, risky, and flawless — another perfect 40!

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🎂 Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa — Cha-Cha-Cha (37/40)

It was Jordan’s 20th birthday party on the dance floor! Inspired by Wayne Brady’s freestyle, her cha-cha brought the energy. Carrie Ann noted a few shoulder issues but loved her strength and charisma. Derek praised her texture and control.

With a 37/40, Jordan continues to be one of the most electric performers of the season.

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✨ Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy — Foxtrot (40/40)

Alix’s Hollywood-inspired foxtrot, drawn from Nev Schulman’s “Singin’ in the Rain” freestyle, was classic ballroom elegance.

Bruno said it best: “You really captured the essence, the class, the beauty, the glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age.” With another perfect 40/40, Alix’s growth and confidence were undeniable.

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💄 Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas — Argentine Tango (40/40 + 2 Bonus)

Whitney closed out the night with a fierce, flawless Argentine tango inspired by Gabby Windey’s “Cell Block Tango.” Derek called it “dripping in elegance and control,” and Carrie Ann said she’d be her “biggest fan forever.”

The dance was passionate perfection — and with her two bonus points from last week’s immunity, Whitney finished with 42/42, the top of the leaderboard.

🕺 Dance Relays — Head-to-Head Showdowns

The second half of the night saw the stars facing off in relay rounds with returning champions:

Jordan vs. Elaine (Quickstep) — Both brought the fun, but Jordan and Apolo Anton Ohno took the win (+2 points).

Andy vs. Dylan (Viennese Waltz) — Dylan and Rumer Willis danced like pros and won (+2 points).

Robert vs. Alix (Jive) — In the tightest call of the night, Robert and Xochitl Gomez earned the win (+2 points).

📊 Final Leaderboard — Week 9

Couple	Score
Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas	42/42
Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach	42/42
Robert Irwin & Witney Carson	42/42
Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy	40/42
Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa	39/42
Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten	36/42
Andy Richter & Emma Slater	29/42

😢 Elimination

When it came time for results, Whitney, Dylan, Alix, and Robert were all called safe first. That left Jordan, Elaine, and Andy waiting nervously.

Sadly, the couple eliminated was Andy Richter and Emma Slater. Though their time in the competition came to an end, Andy left the ballroom with grace, heart, and a whole lot of laughs.

🪩 Final Thoughts

The DWTS 20th birthday bash was a nostalgic, emotional, and historic night that honored everything the show stands for — passion, perseverance, and pure entertainment. Between the return of Tom Bergeron, three perfect scores, and emotional tributes, this anniversary episode was a love letter to two decades of dance.

Next week, it’s Semifinals time, and the competition couldn’t be tighter. With Whitney, Dylan, Robert, and Alix all scoring perfection, it’s anyone’s game heading into the finale!