Dancing With the Stars’ Dedication Night Songs: Full List of Performances and Tributes

“Dancing With the Stars” returned on October 14, 2025, with one of its most emotional episodes of the season — Dedication Night. The 10 remaining celebrity contestants took to the ballroom floor to perform heartfelt routines dedicated to the people who mean the most to them.

The beloved ABC competition series turned up the sentiment this week, as each star was joined by a family member or friend they were honoring. From moving tributes to parents and siblings to special dedications to longtime friends and partners, Dedication Night brought viewers closer to the stories behind the celebrities.

Every Song and Dedication from ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Week 5

The special episode opened with a vibrant performance by the troupe to “Mystical Magical” by Benson Boone. Additional professional numbers set the tone for the night, including routines to “Man I Need” by Olivia Dean, “Green Light” by Lorde choreographed by Jenna Johnson and Britt Stewart, and “Back On 74” by Jungle choreographed by Brandon Armstrong.

Adding to the night’s excitement, two-time Mirrorball champion and former pro Kym Johnson joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough as a guest judge. But the spotlight remained on the celebrity contestants and their deeply personal performances.

Here’s the complete list of the couples, their songs, and who they dedicated their performances to:

• Jen Affleck & Jan Ravnik – Viennese Waltz to “Rescue” by Lauren Daigle, dedicated to her mother, Maria.
• Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa – Viennese Waltz to “Daughters” by John Mayer, honoring her father, Timothy.
• Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy – Contemporary dance to “Sparks” by Coldplay, dedicated to her younger sister, Izabel.
• Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach – Contemporary dance to “Rewrite the Stars” by Zac Efron and Zendaya, dedicated to his sister, Olivia.
• Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov – Jive to “Boy Meets World” by Twenty Cent Crush featuring Phil Rosenthal, honoring co-star William Daniels (“Mr. Feeny”).
• Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten – Foxtrot to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” by Natalie Cole, dedicated to her best friend Lisa Ann Walter.
• Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold – Foxtrot to “Parallel” by Pentatonix, dedicated to his husband, Mark.
• Robert Irwin & Witney Carson – Contemporary dance to “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins, dedicated to his mother, Terri Irwin.
• Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas – Contemporary dance to “Heal” by Jamal Roberts, honoring her husband, Connor.
• Andy Richter & Emma Slater – Salsa to “Jump In the Line” by Harry Belafonte, dedicated to his daughter, Cornelia.

The episode will conclude with another elimination, narrowing the field as the competition grows tougher. Last week’s Disney Night sent Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko home, proving that even strong performances can’t guarantee safety without viewer votes.

Emotional Performances Highlight Family Bonds and Personal Journeys

Dedication Night is one of the most anticipated weeks of the “DWTS” season because it offers fans a rare glimpse into the contestants’ lives beyond the ballroom. These performances go beyond choreography — they are love letters, thank-yous, and deeply personal stories told through dance.

Robert Irwin’s tribute to his mother, Terri, was one of the most talked-about moments of the night. The wildlife conservationist reflected on how his mom has kept his late father, Steve Irwin, part of his life. Meanwhile, Danielle Fishel’s nostalgic jive dedicated to William Daniels brought a wave of ‘90s TV memories for “Boy Meets World” fans.

From Jen Affleck’s touching dedication to her mother to Scott Hoying celebrating his marriage through his own music, each routine offered a unique emotional connection. As ABC highlighted, this is the first time celebrities have brought loved ones into their routines, making Dedication Night an even more intimate and heartfelt event.

As Season 34 heads into its second half, the stakes are rising — and Dedication Night reminded fans why they love “Dancing With the Stars”: it’s not just about competition, but about connection, stories, and the power of dance to express what words cannot.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What is Dedication Night on “Dancing With the Stars”?

Dedication Night is a special themed episode where each celebrity dedicates their performance to someone meaningful in their life, often inviting them to join them on the ballroom floor.

Q2: Which song did Robert Irwin dance to?

Robert Irwin and Witney Carson performed a contemporary dance to “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins, dedicated to his mother, Terri Irwin.

Q3: Who was the guest judge for Week 5?

Two-time Mirrorball champion and former pro dancer Kym Johnson joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough as a guest judge.

Q4: Who was eliminated last week on “DWTS”?

Hilaria Baldwin and her pro partner Gleb Savchenko were eliminated during Disney Night in Week 4.

Q5: When does “Dancing With the Stars” air?

The show airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC, with new episodes streaming on Disney+ the following day.