DWTS Dedication Night Scores: New Leader Emerges as No One Goes Home in Week 5

The DWTS Dedication Night scores are in, and Week 5 of “Dancing With the Stars” Season 34 brought emotional performances, leaderboard shakeups, and a surprising twist — no eliminations. The special episode aired on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, on ABC and Disney+, with each celebrity dedicating their dance to someone meaningful in their lives.

The heartfelt tributes ranged from parents and siblings to co-stars and children, creating one of the most emotional nights of the season. With live audience voting and judges’ scores combined, all 10 remaining couples advanced to Week 6 as the competition heads into its second half.

DWTS Dedication Night Scores: Dylan Efron Tops Leaderboard With 36

The biggest headline of the night was a new frontrunner emerging. Dylan Efron, known from “The Traitors” and as Zac Efron’s younger brother, claimed the top spot on the leaderboard with a score of 36/40. Efron and pro partner Daniella Karagach delivered a powerful contemporary routine dedicated to his 5-year-old sister, set to “Rewrite the Stars” by Zac Efron and Zendaya. It was the first performance of the season to receive four nines from the judges.

Robert Irwin, son of the late Steve Irwin, was another standout. His touching performance to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart,” dedicated to his mother Terri Irwin, earned 35/40 and moved the entire ballroom to tears. Social media star Alix Earle matched Irwin’s score with another impressive routine.

Whitney Leavitt, who had dominated the leaderboard for four straight weeks, dropped from the top for the first time. Despite a strong showing with partner Mark Ballas, their 33/40 score placed them just outside the top three.

Here’s the full list of DWTS Dedication Night scores for Week 5:

• Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: 36/40
• Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: 35/40
• Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: 35/40
• Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas: 33/40
• Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: 32/40
• Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten: 30/40
• Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold: 30/40
• Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik: 29/40
• Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov: 29/40
• Andy Richter and Emma Slater: 24/40

Notably, Fishel’s performance stood out for nostalgia reasons. She dedicated her jive to her former “Boy Meets World” co-star William Daniels (Mr. Feeny), earning her first eight of the season. Meanwhile, Andy Richter delivered a lighthearted salsa with his daughter, though it left him at the bottom of the leaderboard with 24 points.

No Elimination Twist Keeps All 10 Couples in the Competition

In a rare twist for the show, no one was sent home during Dedication Night. Host Alfonso Ribeiro announced that all contestants would advance, a decision met with cheers from both the audience and the dancers. The scores and votes from this week will roll over into the next episode, making Week 6 even more crucial.

Former pro Kym Johnson-Herjavec returned as the first guest judge of the season, adding extra weight to the scoring decisions. Her presence signaled the show’s growing intensity as the season progresses toward its mid-season mark.

With Hilaria Baldwin eliminated in Week 4’s Disney Night, 10 couples now remain. As the competition tightens, leaderboard positions are more volatile than ever, and a single performance can dramatically shift the standings.

The DWTS Dedication Night scores set the stage for a dramatic second half of the season. With Dylan Efron’s breakout performance and no eliminations, the stakes are higher than ever as the competition heads into Week 6.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who topped the DWTS Dedication Night scores in Week 5?

Dylan Efron led the leaderboard with 36/40 for his tribute performance dedicated to his sister.

Q2: Was anyone eliminated on DWTS Dedication Night?

No. All 10 remaining couples advanced to Week 6 after a no-elimination twist.

Q3: What song did Robert Irwin perform to on DWTS Dedication Night?

Robert Irwin danced to Phil Collins’ “You’ll Be In My Heart” in tribute to his mother, Terri Irwin.

Q4: How did Whitney Leavitt perform on Dedication Night?

Leavitt scored 33/40, dropping from her four-week streak at the top of the leaderboard.

Q5: When does DWTS Season 34 air new episodes?

New episodes air Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+ and stream Wednesdays on Hulu