‘DWTS’ 20th Birthday Party Night Recap and Full Scores (Week 9, Nov. 11, 2025)

The 20th Birthday Party episode of Dancing With the Stars season 34 brought back beloved faces, fan-favorite dancers, and emotional memories to mark two decades of the hit competition series. The special night aired on November 11, 2025, and featured guest judge Tom Bergeron returning to the ballroom for the first time since 2020. He joined hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough in celebrating the legacy of the show and honoring the late Len Goodman, alongside a tribute to former contestants Aaron Carter, Jerry Springer, and Shannen Doherty.

The episode opened with a show-stopping number choreographed by Derek Hough, featuring six of the original Season 1 pros — Alec Mazo, Ashly DelGrosso, Louis van Amstel, Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jorgensen, and Edyta Śliwińska — performing alongside the current troupe and pros. It was a nostalgic showcase that blended the past and present in one spectacular ballroom celebration.

Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach left no crumbs after that fire Argentine Tango! 🔥 The chemistry, the precision, and the passion were unmatched. DWTS Official X page.

Full Recap and Scores from DWTS Week 9

The quarterfinals pushed the seven remaining couples to deliver their best routines yet. The night saw four perfect scores of 40 out of 40, and a fierce Relay Dance competition that decided bonus points before one emotional elimination. Comedian Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater were eliminated after receiving the lowest overall total of the night.

Main Performance Scores:

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson – Foxtrot to “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis – 40/40 (the first individual perfect score of the season, praised for emotional storytelling and frame)

Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach – Argentine Tango to “Ain’t No Sunshine” by Bill Withers – 40/40 (credited for intensity, control, and complex lifts)

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy – Foxtrot to “Singin’ in the Rain” by Matthew Morrison – 40/40 (judges loved her elegance, posture, and flow)

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas – Argentine Tango to “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago – 40/40 (strong character work and precision impressed all four judges)

Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa – Cha Cha to “Get Up” by Ciara ft. Chamillionaire – 37/40 (energetic and sharp, slightly off-tempo in sections)

Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten – Salsa to “It Takes Two” by Rob Base & DJ EZ Rock – 36/40 (praised for commitment and performance energy)

Andy Richter & Emma Slater – Quickstep to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Robbie Williams – 29/40 (entertaining and theatrical, but marked down for timing issues)

Relay Dance Results and Bonus Points

The Relay Dance segment paired each contestant with a former Mirrorball champion. The couples performed the same style back-to-back, with the judges awarding two bonus points to each winning duo. Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas held immunity after their Week 8 success and automatically received two points.

Jordan Chiles & Apolo Ohno defeated Elaine Hendrix & Rashad Jennings in the Quickstep relay, earning two bonus points.

Dylan Efron & Rumer Willis defeated Andy Richter & Kaitlyn Bristowe in the Viennese Waltz relay, earning two bonus points.

Robert Irwin & Xochitl Gomez defeated Alix Earle & Joey Graziadei in the Jive relay, earning two bonus points.

Leaderboard After Bonus Points

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson – 42 points (40 + 2 bonus)

Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach – 42 points (40 + 2 bonus)

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas – 42 points (40 + 2 immunity bonus)

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy – 40 points (perfect main score, edged in relay)

Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa – 39 points (37 + 2 bonus)

Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten – 36 points (held position after relay loss)

Andy Richter & Emma Slater – 29 points (unable to gain bonus points)

Elimination and Highlights

After the combined votes and scores, Andy Richter and Emma Slater were eliminated from the competition. Richter expressed gratitude, telling Ribeiro that the show had “changed his life” and that he felt like a winner for having come this far. His exit drew warm applause from the audience and fellow contestants alike.

The episode was a reminder of DWTS’ enduring legacy. Bergeron’s return as guest judge added a sense of history to the night, while Derek Hough’s choreography united multiple generations of professional dancers. Fans praised the in memoriam tribute and celebrated the milestone episode on social media, calling it one of the most emotional nights of the season.

Couples Advancing to the Semifinals

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy

Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach

Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa

Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten

Dancing With the Stars returns Tuesday, November 18, 2025, for its Prince Night-themed semifinals, airing live at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was the theme of DWTS Week 9?

The theme was “20th Birthday Party Night,” celebrating two decades of DWTS with returning pros and tributes to the show’s history.

Q2: Who scored perfect 40s during the episode?

Robert Irwin, Dylan Efron, Alix Earle, and Whitney Leavitt each earned a perfect 40 from the judges.

Q3: Who was eliminated from DWTS Week 9?

Andy Richter and Emma Slater were eliminated after finishing with the lowest total score and viewer votes.

Q4: Who are the top scorers heading into the semifinals?

Robert Irwin, Dylan Efron, and Whitney Leavitt tied for the highest total of 42 points after bonus scores.

Q5: When will DWTS return for the semifinals?

The semifinals will air Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.