Rock legends weren’t the only ones shaking the floor Tuesday night—Dancing with the Stars delivered a show-stopping Week 8 packed with emotional highs, dazzling footwork, and one seriously bittersweet goodbye. With Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night in full swing, the stakes were high, the music was louder than ever, and the Mirrorball Trophy felt just a little closer.
But let’s start with the emotional gut punch of the evening. Danielle Fishel—yes, Topanga herself—shared a raw, powerful moment during rehearsals, revealing her 2024 diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ. That’s stage-zero breast cancer, and although she’s now in remission after surgeries and radiation, the impact on her life was deep.
That emotion poured into her Contemporary routine with partner Pasha Pashkov to Aerosmith’s ‘Dream On,’ a performance that felt more like a love letter to survival than a competition piece. Despite scoring a solid 34 out of 40 and receiving a heartfelt apology from Carrie Ann Inaba, Danielle was eliminated, and let’s just say—shock doesn’t even begin to cover it.
But as the show must go on, so did the competition, and it came in hot. Influencer Alix Earle channeled her inner Bon Jovi with a fiery Paso Doble to ‘Livin’ on a Prayer,’ scoring a nearly perfect 39—thanks in part to an unexpected shoutout video from the rock icon himself. Whitney Leavitt tied her for the top with a brooding Paso to Ozzy Osbourne’s ‘No More Tears,’ which Derek called “perfection.”
Robert Irwin kept his momentum with a bold Paso Doble that had judges calling him a “matador,” while Jordan Chiles flipped—literally—into her Jazz routine, earning praise and a 38-point score after launching into backflips and ending on the judges’ table like the queen she is.
Meanwhile, Dylan Efron made a comeback after a nose-breaking mishap last week, getting his first 10 from guest judge Flavor Flav, who—let’s be honest—might’ve stolen half the show with his quirky commentary.
And then there’s Andy Richter, who continues to win hearts with every humble step. Despite still sitting near the bottom of the scoreboard, his performance was a crowd favorite, fueled by birthday love from fans and emotional support that just can’t be faked.
Elaine Hendrix returned from injury, looking anything but slowed down, scoring a 37 with her elegant Viennese Waltz. Flavor Flav summed it up perfectly: “You don’t move like you was hurt.”
And just when we thought the night couldn’t get more intense, it was time for the team dance showdown. Team Kool, led by Julianne Hough, brought playful energy and strong technique for a 38. But it was Team Chicago—with Danielle Fishel, ironically, in what would be her final performance—who scorched the ballroom with a perfect 40.
With just a few weeks left, the leaderboard is tight, emotions are high, and the Mirrorball is still up for grabs. If this week taught us anything, it’s that Dancing with the Stars is more than just sequins and spins. It’s grit, heart, and yes—even a few rock anthems.
