ABC • Disney+ Live Television Recap • September 2026
Emotional goodbyes and electric routines filled the ballroom as Dancing with the Stars Season 35 completed its high-energy Viral Hits Night on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
Television’s favorite ballroom competition delivered drama and viral choreography as Dancing with the Stars returned for Week 2 of Season 35 on ABC and Disney+. Following last week’s two-night premiere eliminations of Conner Leavitt and Sarah Jane Nader, 14 remaining celebrity couples took the stage to perform routines inspired by trending internet anthems. While technical precision improved across the roster, the combined judges’ scores and viewer votes resulted in a shocking second departure of the autumn season.
Who Was Eliminated on DWTS Week 2?
The tension peaked during the final moments of Dancing with the Stars when co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced the combined totals of judges’ scores and viewer votes. Landing in the vulnerable bottom three were reality star Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess, late-night favorite Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson, and celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten.
Week 2 Elimination Result:
Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and pro Alan Bersten were eliminated after their Jive earned a modest 12 out of 30 points from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. Despite an enthusiastic effort, technical footwork deductions left the culinary icon at the bottom of the cumulative leaderboard.
Viral Hits Night Leaderboard and Complete Judges’ Scores
Evaluating the full scoreboard from Dancing with the Stars reveals a three-way tie atop the leaderboard alongside a steep drop in points for the bottom competitors:
| Celebrity & Pro Couple | Dance Style & Track | Judges’ Score (Out of 30) | Week 2 Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov | Tango • Viral Hit Anthem | 21 (7, 7, 7) | Safe • Top Leader |
| Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach | Contemporary • Social Trend Remix | 21 (7, 7, 7) | Safe • Top Leader |
| Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy | Cha-Cha • Pop Sensation Beat | 21 (7, 7, 7) | Safe • Top Leader |
| Chandler Kinney & Brandon Armstrong | Rumba • Emotional Ballad Trend | 20 (7, 6, 7) | Safe |
| Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson | Foxtrot • Viral Radio Hit | 19 (6, 6, 7) | Safe |
| Dwight Howard & Daniella Partner | Salsa • High Energy Upbeat | 18 (6, 6, 6) | Safe |
| Ilona Maher & Alan Pro Partner | Paso Doble • Athletic Viral Track | 18 (6, 6, 6) | Safe |
| Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess | Viennese Waltz • Viral Melodic | 16 (5, 5, 6) | Bottom 3 • Saved |
| Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson | Quickstep • Comedy Viral Remix | 12 (4, 4, 4) | Bottom 3 • Saved |
| Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten | Jive • Upbeat Viral Groove | 12 (4, 4, 4) | ELIMINATED |
Key Takeaways and Next Week’s Theme Preview
With 13 couples remaining, the competition is tightening quickly. Figure skater Amber Glenn and paralympian Ezra Frech proved that elite athletic training translates into ballroom stamina, capturing high praise from Bruno Tonioli. Meanwhile, Guillermo Rodriguez remains in danger despite massive crowd adoration, needing significant technical improvement to survive Week 3.
Looking Ahead to Week 3
The ballroom transforms next Tuesday, September 29, for Movie Night, where the remaining 13 stars will perform classic cinema routines. Viewer voting will open live at 8:00 PM ET across ABC.com and via SMS text voting.
Looking for more television primetime watch guides and broadcast schedules? Check our weekly breakdown of Sunday entertainment to watch on HBO, streaming, and primetime TV.
Frequently Asked Questions: DWTS Season 35
How many contestants were eliminated during the Week 1 premiere?
Two couples were eliminated during the two-night Season 35 premiere: Conner Leavitt and Sarah Jane Nader.
How does viewer voting work for Season 35?
Fans can cast up to 10 votes per couple per voting method (online at dwtsvote.abc.com and via SMS text message) during the live broadcast in the Eastern and Central time zones.
Where can fans stream DWTS episodes on demand?
Full episodes stream live on Disney+ and ABC simultaneously on Tuesday nights, with next-day on-demand streaming available on Hulu.
Ballroom Community Discussion and Fan Votes
Stay tuned to EsportPort for weekly ballroom breakdowns, voting tutorials, and live recaps throughout Dancing with the Stars Season 35. Did the judges make the right choice sending Giada home? Sound off in the comments below!
