‘We’re Discovering a Star’: Who Earned DWTS’ First 10 of Season 34 on Wicked Night

“Dancing With the Stars” delivered its most magical episode yet on Tuesday, October 21, as one contestant earned the first 10 of season 34 during “Wicked Night.” The performance that wowed both the crowd and the judges came from reality TV star Whitney Leavitt, whose quickstep to “Popular” made her the new front-runner of the competition.

The theme celebrated the upcoming film sequel Wicked: For Good, with each dance inspired by songs from the hit musical. But it was Leavitt’s vibrant performance with pro partner Mark Ballas that transformed the ballroom and lifted the energy of the night to new heights.

Whitney Leavitt Steals the Show on Wicked Night

Leavitt, best known for her role on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, stepped onto the stage in a sparkling pink ensemble that channeled Ariana Grande’s Glinda the Good. Together with Mark Ballas, she delivered a fast-paced, flawless quickstep that instantly earned a standing ovation.

Judge Derek Hough jumped from his seat, exclaiming, “I feel like we are discovering a star before our eyes.” He praised Leavitt’s expressive performance and polished execution, calling it “so advanced and so fantastic.” Guest judge Jon M. Chu, director of both Wicked film adaptations, described the performance as “the perfect blend of technical prowess, fun, and art.”

Bruno Tonioli called the routine “insanely good” and “Galinda gone ballistic,” while Carrie Ann Inaba noted Leavitt’s “unhinged but perfectly controlled” footwork. Their excitement culminated in three perfect 10s from Inaba, Chu, and Tonioli, while Hough’s 9 left Leavitt with a near-perfect score of 39.

DWTS Season 34 Leaderboard Shakes Up

Before her routine, Leavitt told cohost Julianne Hough that she aimed to bounce back after a stumble in week 5. “I just wanted to get back on top, baby,” she said — and she did exactly that. Her comeback earned universal praise from fans and fellow contestants, pushing her to the top of the leaderboard for the first time this season.

Other notable performances included Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy’s jazz routine to “What Is This Feeling?” and Robert Irwin and Witney Carson’s emotional jazz to “Dancing Through Life.” Yet, neither managed to break through the season’s 9-point ceiling until Leavitt’s breakthrough moment.

Reactions and What’s Next

Social media erupted with applause for Leavitt’s transformation into Glinda, with fans calling it her “star-making moment.” Viewers noted how her energy mirrored the playful charm of Ariana Grande’s upcoming film role, blending Broadway flair with TV-ready charisma.

As Wicked: For Good prepares to hit theaters on November 21, the timing of DWTS’s themed night couldn’t be more perfect. The cross-promotion between ABC and Universal Pictures drew additional excitement, and Jon M. Chu’s presence on the judging panel added a layer of authenticity.

With her Week 6 triumph, Whitney Leavitt has firmly established herself as the one to beat in season 34 — proving that “Wicked Night” truly brought out the magic on the ballroom floor.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who earned the first 10 on DWTS Season 34?

Whitney Leavitt received the first 10s of the season for her “Wicked Night” quickstep to “Popular” with partner Mark Ballas.

Q2: What song did Whitney Leavitt dance to?

Leavitt and Ballas performed a quickstep to “Popular,” originally sung by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo in Wicked: For Good.

Q3: Who were the DWTS judges for Wicked Night?

The panel included Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge Jon M. Chu, the director of Wicked.

Q4: How did other contestants perform on Wicked Night?

Alix Earle and Robert Irwin delivered strong jazz routines but fell short of 10s, keeping them just behind Leavitt on the leaderboard.

Q5: When does Dancing With the Stars air?

DWTS airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the next day.