Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

If you weren’t seated for Prince Night on Dancing With the Stars, guys… run, don’t walk, because this episode was easily one of the most iconic of the entire season. The ballroom transformed into a full-on purple universe, the celebrities brought every ounce of drama they had left, and the semi-finals delivered twist after twist. Let’s get into it. 👇

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🎶 A Purple, Glittery Fever Dream

The show opened with a massive pro performance to “Let’s Go Crazy,” and the second that beat dropped, you just knew it was going to be that episode. Every couple had to perform two dances — one brand-new style and one style they revisited to show improvement. And of course, all the music was straight from Prince’s legendary catalog. Basically: iconic theme, iconic vibes.

🪩 The Standout Performances

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson

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Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy

From influencer to ballroom queen — the transformation is real.

• Argentine Tango – “Little Red Corvette”: Dark, grounded, and surprisingly fierce.

• Viennese Waltz – “Purple Rain”: Soft and stunning.

Score: 30/30

Her growth curve this season is insane.

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Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten

Serving elegance with a side of drama.

• Foxtrot – “I Wanna Be Your Lover”: Pretty, polished, but the judges wanted more fire.

• Paso Doble – “When Doves Cry”: Oh she GAVE. The intensity. The presence. The looks.

Score: 30/30

One of the most memorable routines of the night.

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Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach

This man really said “finals energy,” and Zac Efron showing up to support was the cutest bonus.

• Tango – “I Would Die 4 U”: Way cleaner and more grounded than earlier weeks.

• Cha-Cha – “Kiss”: Fun, rhythmic, and confident.

Score: 28/30

He’s the definition of a glow-up contestant.

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Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas

This elimination HURT.

• Cha-Cha – “1999”: Judges loved her precision and musicality.

• Viennese Waltz – “Slow Love”: Pretty, flowy, and emotional.

Scores: 29/30 and 29/30

Yet somehow… they were the couple sent home. One of the most shocking cuts of the season.

😬 A Little Judges’ Tension (Because What’s DWTS Without Drama?)

During Whitney’s critique, Carrie Ann commented that she was “seeing the technique,” and Derek immediately disagreed on-air. The ballroom got quiet real fast — you could feel the judge tension from your couch.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Prince Night was everything we wanted from a semi-final episode:

Perfect scores

Fierce performances

Emotional exits

A sprinkle of judge drama

And THE energy of Prince all night long

With the finale coming up, the race for the Mirrorball is officially tight. Robert, Alix, Elaine… they all delivered finale-worthy performances. It’s anyone’s game now.

Who do YOU think deserves the win? 💜