DWTS Season 34 Week 9 Spoilers & Predictions: 20th Birthday Night Celebration

“DWTS” Season 34 returns tonight for its 20th Birthday Party Night, marking two decades of ballroom competition and celebrity performances. Tom Bergeron will make a one-night return as guest judge to honor the milestone, while the remaining seven couples compete for semifinal spots.

Last week’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night sent Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov home in one of the season’s most surprising eliminations. Their departure leaves the leaderboard tight heading into tonight’s episode.

Inside Week 9’s Birthday-Night Format

The 20th Birthday Party theme promises nostalgia and surprises. Producers have teased the return of fan-favorite professional dancers, special guest appearances, and a “relay dance” twist awarding bonus points that could shift rankings dramatically.

Each couple will perform new routines tied to classic songs from the show’s history. According to production insiders, the relay element could separate contenders from the bottom tier as the competition narrows. Small point differences now decide survival.

Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas enter as top scorers after earning 79 of 80 points last week. Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa follow close behind with 78, while Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy remain steady with 77. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, along with Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, both scored 76, keeping them near the middle of the leaderboard. Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten trail slightly at 75, with Andy Richter and Emma Slater last at 68.

Fan votes will once again combine with judges’ scores to determine who advances. The live results, revealed by co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, will close out the celebration.

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Predictions: Who’s Safe and Who’s on the Bubble

Safe Picks: Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas and Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa have built consistent momentum with strong technical feedback. Their recent performances make them near-locks for semifinals.

Potential Middle-Pack Risks: Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy, Robert Irwin & Witney Carson, Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach, and Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten remain vulnerable. A minor scoring slip or dip in audience votes could put any of them in jeopardy.

Elimination Prediction: Andy Richter & Emma Slater are likely next to leave. While Richter has charmed viewers with humor and heart, his technical gap compared to the field is significant. Without a breakout performance, their run probably ends tonight.

Birthday Nostalgia and the Road Ahead

Tom Bergeron’s return gives longtime fans a sense of full-circle closure as the series celebrates its legacy. Expect emotional tributes, archival montages, and plenty of glitter-filled callbacks to early seasons.

But beneath the celebration lies the intensity of competition. Relay round bonuses and audience votes could deliver a shock result if fan bases mobilize. With semifinals only one week away, the margin for error is nearly gone.

Final Take: Tonight’s 20th Birthday Party Night on “Dancing With the Stars” will blend nostalgia with high-stakes drama. Expect standout performances from Leavitt & Ballas and Chiles & Sosa, but look for Richter & Slater to face elimination as the semifinals loom.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)

Q1: What is the theme for DWTS Week 9?

It’s “20th Birthday Party Night,” celebrating 20 years of the series with special guests and nostalgic routines.

Q2: Who returned as guest judge for Week 9?

Former longtime host Tom Bergeron returned as a one-night guest judge for the anniversary special.

Q3: Who was eliminated last week?

Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov were eliminated after Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night.

Q4: Which couples lead the current leaderboard?

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas lead with 79 points, followed by Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa with 78.

Q5: Who is most likely to go home tonight?

Based on scores and audience momentum, Andy Richter & Emma Slater are the top candidates for elimination.