Fans Divided Over Judges’ Scores After Whitney Leavitt’s Tearful Dedication Dance With Husband Conner

Whitney Leavitt Dancing with the Stars journey took an emotional turn on October 14, 2025, during Season 34’s highly anticipated Dedication Night. The reality star and “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” personality performed a deeply personal contemporary dance with her husband, Conner Leavitt, by her side. The heartfelt performance left the ballroom in tears — but it also sparked intense debate among fans over the judges’ scoring.

The couple, dancing to “Heal” by “American Idol” Season 23 winner Jamal Roberts, earned a total of 33 out of 40 points. It was a strong showing, but not without controversy. Fans praised the raw emotion and choreography, yet some questioned whether the performance was scored fairly — and whether others, like fan-favorite Robert Irwin, were underscored in comparison.

Whitney Leavitt Dancing with the Stars Performance Earns Praise — and Sparks Debate

Coming off a stellar Disney Night routine that put them near the top of the leaderboard, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas had high expectations to meet. Their Dedication Night performance was a tribute to Conner, highlighting not just their relationship but also Leavitt’s emotional journey as a wife, mother, and performer.

In the hours following the broadcast, the official “Dancing with the Stars” Instagram page was flooded with reactions. Many praised the choreography and storytelling, calling the performance “stunning” and “powerful.” Others commended Whitney for sharing such a personal chapter of her life on national television.

But alongside the praise came criticism. Several fans pointed out what they described as an “obvious mistake” during the routine and argued that Carrie Ann Inaba’s decision to award Leavitt a 9 — while not giving the same to Robert Irwin — was inconsistent. One fan wrote, “I like Whitney, but Robert deserved the 9 as well.” The debate quickly spread across social media, with many saying the scoring didn’t reflect the night’s strongest performance.

Emotional Depth and Vulnerability Define Whitney and Conner’s Dance

Before the show aired, Leavitt teased the performance in several Instagram posts — mixing lighthearted videos with deeply emotional reflections. In one video, she tearfully explained the significance of dancing with Conner: “I feel most like myself when dancing … so I am so grateful to share this story through dance.”

Her caption echoed that sentiment: “To my other half, I can’t wait to share this stage with you. I love you so much Conner, this dance is for you.” Fans responded with overwhelming support, praising her vulnerability and willingness to open up about her relationship on such a public platform.

Leavitt has spoken openly about the strength of her marriage, telling People in May 2025: “I have family, I have Conner, and we know what’s real. I can go to sleep at night knowing that I’m with the love of my life, my best friend, and he knows me and I know him, and what else really matters?”

It’s this realness and raw connection that many viewers say made the performance so powerful — even if they disagreed with the score.

Social Media Reaction Highlights ‘DWTS’ Fan Passion

The split reaction to Whitney Leavitt’s Dedication Night dance underscores how emotionally invested fans are in “Dancing with the Stars.” Supporters flooded comment sections with praise, calling the dance “one of the most beautiful performances of the season.” Others expressed frustration, arguing that the judging this season has been inconsistent and subjective.

“It’s a competition, not just a storytelling show,” one fan posted. “I love Whitney’s story, but scores should be about dance, not emotion.” Others countered that the emotion and storytelling are precisely what elevate a routine beyond technical execution.

Regardless of the debate, there’s no denying that Whitney and Conner’s performance has become one of the most talked-about moments of Season 34. With several weeks still to go, all eyes will be on Leavitt to see if she can continue blending emotional storytelling with technical precision — and silence the critics.

As Season 34 continues, Whitney Leavitt Dancing with the Stars remains one of the most compelling storylines. Whether fans agree on the judges’ scoring or not, her heartfelt performance with Conner has already left a lasting impression on viewers and the ballroom alike.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What score did Whitney Leavitt receive for her Dedication Night dance?

Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas scored 33 out of 40 for their contemporary dance dedicated to her husband, Conner.

Q2: Why are fans upset about the judges’ scores?

Some fans believe Robert Irwin deserved a higher score and felt the judging was inconsistent, especially after Carrie Ann Inaba gave Leavitt a 9.

Q3: What song did Whitney and Conner dance to?

They performed to “Heal” by Jamal Roberts, the winner of “American Idol” Season 23.

Q4: What did Whitney say about dancing with Conner?

She said dancing makes her feel most like herself and expressed gratitude for the chance to share their story through dance.

Q5: What did Whitney reveal about her relationship in May 2025?

She told People that Conner is the love of her life and her best friend, and their relationship gives her peace regardless of public opinion.