You could feel the tension in the ballroom tonight. Honestly, the air was just different. Everyone knew that after the dust settled on week two, somebody had to go home, and the "earliest elimination ever" tag wasn't just hype. It was a reality that caught some of our favorites completely off guard.
If you’ve been following the journey of this cast, you know the stakes. We aren't just talking about dance scores; we’re talking about the weird, unpredictable magic of the public vote. Tonight, that magic felt a little more like a gut punch.
DWTS Results Tonight: Who Went Home?
The elimination that just happened has the internet in a literal tailspin. Michael Fry and Kylee Vincent were eliminated tonight. It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Michael actually looked like he was finding his groove. He took on a Samba to Ed Sheeran’s "Sapphire" and, despite the technical nightmare that a Samba can be for a non-pro, he brought this infectious energy. The judges weren't exactly cruel, either. He walked away with a 23, which usually keeps a contestant safe this early in the game.
But then there's the math. The show combined scores from the first two weeks with the public's votes, and apparently, the "Fry-day" fans didn't show up in the numbers needed to save him.
💡 You might also like: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
The bottom three was a stressful watch:
- Michael Fry (Eliminated)
- Amber Wilson (Safe)
- Brian Kennedy (Safe)
Basically, Brian Kennedy dodged a major bullet. He had the lowest score of the night—a dismal 13—after a Cha-cha-cha that judge Brian Redmond described as "fragile in its foundation." Usually, a 13 is a death sentence. Somehow, his fanbase pulled him through, leaving Michael Fry to give a bittersweet goodbye speech about doing it "scared" but doing it anyway.
The Leaderboard Shakedown
While Michael was packing his bags, a few others were absolutely soaring. Tolü Makay is officially the one to beat. Her American Smooth to Olivia Dean’s "Man I Need" was, frankly, breathtaking. She pulled a 32, the highest score of the season so far. Oti Mabuse called it powerful and elegant, and it's hard to disagree.
📖 Related: The Entire History of You: What Most People Get Wrong About the Grain
Then you have the Rose of Tralee herself, Katelyn Cummins. She opened the show with a Jive that had so much bounce I thought she might hit the rafters. She tied for the top of the overall leaderboard with a combined score of 59.
It wasn't all sunshine, though. Stephanie Kelly had a bit of a rough go with her Cha-cha-cha to "I'm a Slave 4 U." She missed a few steps, which is easy to do when you're trying to channel 2000s Britney Spears, but the judges liked her sass enough to give her a 19.
Why This Elimination Changes Everything
The "week two" elimination is a new beast for Dancing with the Stars. Usually, the celebs get a "grace period" to shake off the nerves. Not this year. By cutting someone this early, the production has signaled that "potential" isn't enough to stay in the ballroom. You have to deliver immediately.
👉 See also: Shamea Morton and the Real Housewives of Atlanta: What Really Happened to Her Peach
Amber Wilson being in the bottom three was also a huge wake-up call. She’s a talented podcaster with a decent following, and her Tango to "Call Me" was actually quite good (earning a 24). Seeing her standing there next to Michael and Brian proves that no one is safe—not even the middle-of-the-pack dancers who seem "fine."
What to Watch for Next Week
Next week is going to be a different kind of pressure cooker. With the first elimination out of the way, the celebrities know exactly how fickle the audience can be.
- Brian Kennedy's Redemption: He’s on thin ice. If he doesn't improve that footwork, no amount of fan voting will save him from a low score that sinks his average.
- The Rise of Philip Doyle: He quietly put up a 31 tonight with a Salsa. People aren't talking about him as much as Tolü, but he’s becoming a serious dark horse.
- The "Safety" Trap: Contestants like Eric Roberts, who got a 22, might feel safe, but Michael Fry just proved that a 22 or 23 doesn't guarantee a spot in week three.
If you want to keep your favorite in the competition, you've gotta vote the second that window opens. Tonight proved that "good enough" is a dangerous place to be on the leaderboard.
Next Steps for Fans:
Check the official voting portal as soon as the East Coast broadcast begins next week. If you're rooting for an underdog like Brian or someone in the middle like Amber, your ten votes are more than just a gesture—they are the only thing keeping them from the "Red Light of Doom."