Wait, did that actually just happen? If you're like me, you’re probably still staring at your TV screen in a bit of a daze. The glitter has settled, the judges have tucked away their paddles, and the ballroom feels a little emptier. We finally have the answer to who was eliminated dancing with the stars tonight, and honestly, it’s the kind of exit that’s going to have the Facebook groups in an absolute tailspin for the next forty-eight hours.
The Shocking Departure: Michael Fry Says Goodbye
It was Michael Fry and his pro partner Kylee Vincent who were sent packing.
Yeah. I know.
Most people were looking at the leaderboard earlier in the night and thinking they were relatively safe. They weren't exactly pulling perfect 10s, but they certainly weren't "bottom of the barrel" either. They performed a Samba to Ed Sheeran's 2025 hit Sapphire, and it was... well, it was fun! Michael has this "dark horse" energy that usually carries people through at least the first month. He even pulled a respectable score of 23 from the judges. Brian Redmond called it "strange" in that classic, grumpy-uncle way of his, but the audience seemed to love it.
The problem? The public vote.
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On Dancing with the Stars, your footwork only carries you halfway. If the folks at home aren't picking up the phone (or hitting the website), you're toast. Michael Fry admitted afterward that he was "really scared" to do the show but was glad he did it. It's a bummer to see him go this early—especially since this was a historically early elimination for the series. Usually, we get a "grace period" in week one, but the showrunners decided to turn up the heat immediately this season.
How the Rest of the Leaderboard Shook Out
If you missed the scoring breakdown, here is how the pack is currently looking. It’s a wild mix of "wow, they can actually dance" and "oh no, what are they wearing?"
- Tolü Makay & Maciej Zięba: Absolute fire. They danced an American Smooth to Olivia Dean’s Man I Need and walked away with a 32. It was elegant, it was powerful, and it basically cemented them as the ones to beat.
- Katelyn Cummins & Leonardo Lini: They tied for the top spot. Their Jive to APT. by Rosé and Bruno Mars was high-octane. Katelyn is proving that her Week 1 Tango wasn't a fluke.
- Niamh Kavanagh & Stephen Vincent: A solid 28 for their Quickstep. Niamh has that "theater kid" energy that the judges eat up.
- Jordan Dargan & Rebecca Scott: A 25 for their Viennese Waltz. A bit of a step down from Jordan’s pace last week, but still very safe.
- Amber Wilson & Alex Vladimirov: They survived a scare. Amber was in the bottom three alongside Michael, but her Tango (score of 24) saved her.
Why the Public Vote Flipped the Script
It’s easy to blame the judges, but let’s look at the reality. Who was eliminated dancing with the stars tonight came down to a combination of scores from the last two weeks and the live vote.
Anne Cassin actually had a lower score than Michael Fry tonight. She pulled an 18 for her Paso Doble. By all "logical" accounts, she should have been the one in the car home. But Anne has a connection with the viewers that Michael just hadn't built yet.
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It's a reminder that this show is a popularity contest wrapped in a sequined vest. Michael Fry is a comedian; he's funny, he's self-deprecating, and he’s likable. But in a crowded field of Traitors stars, Olympic gymnasts, and legendary singers, "likable" sometimes isn't enough to get people to stop scrolling and start voting.
What This Means for the Rest of the Season
Losing Michael this early changes the "vibe" of the ballroom. He was the comic relief. Now, the competition feels a lot more "serious."
The real tension is moving toward the middle of the pack. People like Eric Roberts (who got a 22 tonight) and Stephanie Kelly (who got a 19) are officially on notice. If they don't show a massive "transformation" arc by next week, they are the prime candidates for the next chopping block. The judges—especially Oti Mabuse—are getting stricter. Oti told Eric she needed "more drive," and that’s basically judge-speak for "you're boring me."
Expert Take: What Michael Fry Got Wrong
From a technical standpoint, Michael struggled with his bounce. Samba is a notoriously difficult dance for non-pros because it requires a very specific rhythmic hip action that feels unnatural to most human beings.
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He was thinking too much. You could see it in his eyes. When you're a comedian, your instinct is to "sell" the performance with your face, but the judges are looking at your ankles. If your feet are heavy, no amount of charisma can save the score.
Actionable Steps for the Remaining Couples
If the remaining stars want to avoid being the answer to "who got kicked off" next week, they need to do three things:
- Stop over-dancing. The judges are penalizing people for "messy" energy. It’s better to do a simple routine perfectly than a complex routine with three stumbles.
- Milk the packages. The pre-dance videos are where you win the fans. If you aren't showing vulnerability or a "struggle," the audience won't feel invested in saving you.
- Watch the playback. Robert Irwin (who is a frontrunner in the US version) often talks about watching his footage like a pro athlete. These celebs need to start looking at their frame in the mirror instead of just counting steps.
Next week is a theme night, which always brings out the best (and the absolute worst) in these pairings. Grab your popcorn, because if this elimination was any indication, no one is safe.
If you want to make sure your favorite doesn't end up like Michael, you've got to use all your allocated votes the second that window opens. Don't assume the "big names" are safe. History proves they almost never are. Stand by for the next round of rehearsals—things are about to get very sweaty.