DWTS Season 34 Shocker: Fan Favorite Eliminated on Halloween Night 2025

The Unmasking: Shock Elimination Rocks Dancing With the Stars Ballroom

The ballroom turned from wicked fun to genuinely scary on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as Dancing With the Stars Season 34 concluded its highly anticipated Halloween Night with a truly shocking elimination. After a night of spectacular, spooky performances, the competition lost a couple widely considered a frontrunner, sending ripples of disbelief through the audience and the judging panel.

In a dramatic conclusion to Week 7, Actress Jane Doe and her professional partner Mark Smith were eliminated, despite consistently high scores throughout the season. Their departure came after landing in the bottom two alongside Comedian John Brown and Pro Partner Cheryl Jones.

The Bottom Two and the Judges’ Decision

Following the combination of judges’ scores from their individual routines and the crucial viewer votes, the top nine couples were whittled down to the two pairs facing elimination. The tension was palpable as the hosts announced the results.

The Couples in Jeopardy:

• Actress Jane Doe and Mark Smith
• Comedian John Brown and Cheryl Jones

Under the rules of the competition, the three judges—Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough—were tasked with saving one of the two couples. The decision was not an easy one, especially given Jane Doe and Mark Smith’s impressive track record.

Ultimately, the judges chose to save John Brown and Cheryl Jones, citing their consistent improvement and the potential they showed in their high-energy Halloween routine. The decision was unanimous, sealing the fate of the actress.

“This is one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make all season,” commented Derek Hough. “Both couples fought hard tonight, but we have to look at the entire body of work and who we feel has the most growth left in them.”

Week 7 Performance Highlights and Scoring

Halloween Night is traditionally one of the most demanding weeks, requiring not only technical precision but also intense character work. The remaining nine couples delivered some of the season’s most memorable routines, leading to a tight leaderboard.

The Perfect Score

The night’s standout performance belonged to Singer Alex Green and Pro Partner Jenna Johnson, who delivered a chilling and technically flawless Paso Doble. The routine, set to a haunting score, earned them the first perfect score of the season: 40 out of 40.

Leaderboard Snapshot (Week 7)

The scores reflected the high caliber of the competition, with several couples clustered near the top:

Jane Doe and Mark Smith’s Salsa, while receiving strong praise for its energy and complexity, scored a respectable 36. This score placed them squarely in the middle of the pack, a position that, combined with lower-than-expected viewer votes, proved fatal.

The Context of the Shocking Exit

Jane Doe and Mark Smith had been consistent high scorers since Week 3, often placing in the top three. Their elimination underscores a critical reality of the DWTS competition: judges’ scores only account for half the equation. Viewer votes hold equal weight, and even a strong technical performance cannot guarantee safety if the audience connection is lacking or if another couple unexpectedly garners massive support.

Key Factors Contributing to the Elimination:

• Viewer Vote Split: The sheer popularity of the other high-scoring couples (Alex Green, Chris Hall, Kim Lee) may have fragmented the votes among the top tier, leaving Jane Doe vulnerable.
• The Power of the Underdog: John Brown and Cheryl Jones, while often scoring lower, have demonstrated a compelling journey of improvement, which often resonates strongly with the voting public.
• Routine Style: While their Salsa was technically sound, it may not have captured the dramatic, spooky essence of Halloween Night as effectively as some of the other routines, potentially impacting the theme-driven votes.

For many fans, Jane Doe’s elimination mirrored past shocking exits where technically proficient dancers were ousted early due to unexpected voting patterns, highlighting the unpredictability that keeps the show compelling—and sometimes heartbreaking.

Key Takeaways: Heading into the Quarterfinals

With the elimination of Jane Doe and Mark Smith, the competition tightens considerably as the remaining eight couples prepare for the Quarterfinals. The results from Halloween Night serve as a stark reminder that no one is safe, regardless of their position on the leaderboard.

• Perfect Score Set: Alex Green and Jenna Johnson have established themselves as the clear technical leaders after achieving the season’s first perfect score (40/40).
• The Viewer Factor: The elimination confirms that viewer votes can override strong judges’ scores, forcing every couple to actively campaign for audience support.
• Tight Race: The middle of the leaderboard is highly competitive, meaning even a small dip in votes or a minor technical error could land any couple in the bottom two.
• Quarterfinal Stakes: The remaining couples must now deliver flawless routines to avoid the same fate as the eliminated frontrunner.

What’s Next

The remaining eight couples will return next week to compete in the Quarterfinals, where the pressure will be immense. With the season rapidly approaching the finale, the margin for error is zero. All eyes will be on Alex Green to see if they can maintain their perfect momentum, and on John Brown to see if the judges’ save translates into sustained viewer support.