The ballroom was absolutely electric tonight, but man, the tension during the final minutes was enough to make anyone's stomach do a backflip. You know that feeling when the music starts to swell and the spotlights begin to roam? It’s gut-wrenching. Tonight was no different. If you’re looking for the short answer on who went home on Dancing with the Stars tonight, the journey ended for Danny Amendola and Witney Carson.
Honestly, it felt a bit like a punch to the gut.
Danny has been this season's dark horse, the guy who started out a little stiff—as many NFL players do—but then found this weird, beautiful fluidity. Seeing him stand there in the bottom two alongside Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson was one of those "is this actually happening?" moments. Joey has been a frontrunner since day one, which just goes to show that nobody is truly safe when the fan votes start pouring in.
The Brutal Reality of the Double Elimination
Tonight wasn't just a standard "see ya later" to one couple. We are deep in the competition now, and the stakes are soaring. Because it was a double elimination, the margin for error was basically zero. We actually saw Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach get the boot earlier in the evening.
Dwight’s exit felt inevitable to some, but it was still sad. He brought so much personality to the floor. Standing nearly seven feet tall, he was never going to have the traditional lines of a ballroom dancer, yet he threw himself into every lift and every shimmy with genuine joy. But when you're up against the technical precision of people like Chandler Kinney, personality only gets you so far.
The elimination of Danny Amendola, though? That’s the one that’s going to have people lighting up the message boards tomorrow.
He had just come off a performance that showed real growth. It wasn't perfect, sure. There were some minor footwork issues that the judges, especially Carrie Ann Inaba, didn't hesitate to point out. But the chemistry between him and Witney was undeniable. Witney has this way of choreographing for athletes that makes them look like they’ve been doing this their whole lives. It just wasn't enough to overcome the massive fanbases of the Bachelor Nation stars or the Disney alums.
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How the Scores Shook Out
If we look at the leaderboard, the technical gap is widening. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong are essentially living in a different dimension. Their scores have been consistently near-perfect. Tonight, they delivered a routine that felt more like a professional showcase than a celebrity competition.
Then you have Stephen Nedoroscik, the "Pommel Horse Guy." He is the literal definition of a fan favorite. Is his technique always on point? No. Sometimes his frame gets a bit wonky because he's used to being horizontal on a piece of gym equipment. But his energy is infectious. When the judges gave him a slightly lower score tonight, the boos from the live audience were deafening.
That’s the thing about this show. It’s 50% what the judges think and 50% who can get people to pick up their phones.
Why Danny Amendola Went Home Tonight
It basically comes down to the "middle of the pack" curse.
When you’re at the very top, people vote for you because they want to see the best dancer win. When you’re at the very bottom, people vote for you because they want to "save" you. But when you’re consistently "pretty good" like Danny, fans sometimes assume you’re safe and forget to hit that submit button.
Also, we have to talk about the competition. This season is stacked.
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- Joey Graziadei: He has the Bachelor Nation voting block, which is historically a juggernaut.
- Ilona Maher: She’s a social media powerhouse. Her "everywoman" vibe and rugby-tough exterior paired with vulnerability is a winning combo.
- Chandler Kinney: Pure, unadulterated talent.
Danny was a great dancer, but he didn't quite have the narrative arc that the others have cultivated. He was the "steady" guy. And steady doesn't always win the Mirrorball Trophy.
The Judge's Role in the Exit
Derek Hough looked visibly frustrated when the bottom three were announced. He’s been a vocal supporter of the "athlete's journey" this season. Bruno Tonioli was, as usual, a chaotic ball of energy, but even he seemed surprised that Danny was the one to go.
The judges have been hammering home the importance of "musicality" lately. It's not enough to hit the steps; you have to live inside the music. Danny was hitting the steps, but maybe he wasn't always feeling them in the way the judges wanted.
What Happens Next for the Finalists?
With Danny and Dwight gone, the herd is thinned. We’re heading into the semi-finals, and the pressure is going to be suffocating.
If you're wondering how to process who went home on Dancing with the Stars tonight, the best thing to do is look at the remaining couples and start picking your horse. The finale is right around the corner. We’re likely going to see a showdown between the technical perfection of Chandler and the sheer popularity of Stephen or Ilona.
It's going to be a bloodbath.
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For Danny and Witney, they can hold their heads high. They outlasted reality stars, actors, and other professional athletes. They provided some of the most memorable masculine performances we've seen in years. But tonight, the ballroom demanded a sacrifice, and the NFL star was the one to take the fall.
Keep an eye on the official DWTS social media channels for the "exit interviews" that usually drop late at night. They often reveal a lot more about the contestants' mindsets than the brief 30 seconds they get on live TV.
If you want to support your remaining favorites, remember that voting opens at the start of the East Coast broadcast. Don't wait until the end. If tonight proved anything, it's that "safe" is just an illusion. Your favorite could be the next one out if you don't stay active.
Check the upcoming themes for next week; word is we might be seeing some classic ballroom styles making a comeback, which will really test the endurance of the remaining non-dancers.
Next Steps for DWTS Fans:
- Review the Leaderboard: Go back and watch the clips of Chandler Kinney's performance. It’s the gold standard for what the finalists need to achieve to win.
- Check the Voting Rules: Ensure you’re using all available methods (SMS and online) to maximize your impact on the results.
- Watch the Replay: If you missed the specific critiques for Danny Amendola, re-watch his final package to see where the disconnect between the judges and the voters might have happened.