‘Dancing with the Stars’ Breaks Voting Record on Halloween Night

“Dancing with the Stars” reached a new milestone on Oct. 28, 2025, as the Halloween-themed episode broke all previous voting records. The record-setting night saw fans flood ABC and Disney+ platforms to support their favorite contestants. Season 34 continues to show remarkable engagement as audience participation hits an all-time high.

The spooky special didn’t just deliver memorable performances — it confirmed the show’s unmatched popularity. ABC officials announced that Halloween Night marked the most active voting day in the show’s history, signaling a resurgence in fan enthusiasm and commitment to the long-running competition series.

Halloween Episode Marks Historic Voting Engagement

Season 34 of “Dancing with the Stars” has proven to be one of the most interactive in years. The Halloween Night episode, featuring nine celebrity-pro pairs, inspired millions of fans to cast votes through text and online platforms. The audience’s dedication reflected both the strength of the season’s cast and the show’s growing digital reach.

ABC’s press statement confirmed that voting surged compared to previous weeks, surpassing prior episodes’ totals and setting a new engagement benchmark. Cheryl Burke returned as a guest judge, joining Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. The evening also included the return of the Dance Marathon — a fan-favorite format that kept viewers glued to the screen as couples were eliminated one by one until one pair was left standing.

Fan reactions flooded social media throughout the broadcast. Many celebrated the creative Halloween routines, while others voiced their opinions about perceived scoring inconsistencies. The combination of nostalgia, competition, and real-time interactivity fueled the show’s record-breaking energy.

Cheryl Burke’s Return and Fan Influence Shape the Night

Burke’s return as a judge added a familiar presence and professional insight to the judging panel. Her comments praised dancers’ creativity and emotional expression during the Halloween-themed performances. Contestants such as Jordan Chiles, Robert Irwin, Alix Earle, Danielle Fishel, and Dylan Efron brought unique personalities to the stage, earning both judge praise and massive fan backing.

ABC credited fan engagement for the show’s ongoing success. With voting open throughout the live broadcast, viewers used every available method to support their favorites, often organizing on social media platforms. This collective effort reflects how digital communities now drive real-time entertainment results.

Future Changes Coming to the DWTS Voting System

Following this historic episode, production teams confirmed plans to modernize the “Dancing with the Stars” voting process for Season 35 in 2026. The goal is to enhance accessibility and fairness by introducing integrated social media voting, alongside traditional text and online options. These adjustments aim to reach younger audiences while ensuring vote transparency.

Producers also acknowledged recent debates about judging bias and voting fairness. By embracing a more interactive and transparent system, ABC hopes to maintain viewer trust while accommodating an increasingly digital audience. The proposed updates align with broader trends across entertainment where user engagement drives show success.

“Dancing with the Stars” continues to evolve, blending competition, storytelling, and fan connection like no other live TV event. As Halloween Night proves, the ballroom’s magic still thrives — and fans remain its most powerful force.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who returned as a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars Halloween Night?

Cheryl Burke returned as a guest judge, joining the main panel of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.

Q2: What made this Dancing with the Stars episode historic?

It marked the highest fan voting engagement in the show’s history, reflecting unprecedented viewer participation.

Q3: What changes are planned for future DWTS voting?

ABC plans to expand the system by integrating social media voting and enhancing online accessibility for Season 35.

Q4: Which stars performed on Halloween Night?

Contestants included Jordan Chiles, Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, Danielle Fishel, Dylan Efron, and Whitney Leavitt among others.

Q5: Why is fan engagement so important for DWTS?

Fan votes directly determine which couples advance, making audience participation the driving force behind the show’s outcomes.