Welcome to night one of Week Two for season 25 of Dancing with the Stars. Tonight was “Ballroom Night,” which meant each of the thirteen couples performed a classic ballroom style—waltz, foxtrot, tango, quickstep or Viennese waltz. The stakes were high: this episode featured the first elimination of the season, and with another episode and elimination scheduled for tomorrow, the pressure on the competitors is intense.
The premiere set the tone: the judges came down hard with the scores, and only toward the end did several performances begin to stand out. Early polling after Week One indicated two frontrunners: Jordan and Lindsey, who drew the most viewer enthusiasm. Still, several other celebrities showed promise—Nikki, Vanessa and Victoria could easily climb the leaderboard if they keep improving. Tonight’s results and the judges’ comments narrowed the field and offered clues about who may be vulnerable heading into Latin Night tomorrow.
The show moved quickly—thirteen dances and one elimination—so there was little time for spectacle. The pros and their partners opened with brief ballroom sequences that highlighted elegant lines and classic technique.
Debbie & Alan – Quickstep
A solid improvement for Debbie: lively, upbeat and enjoyable to watch. A small misstep in a fast corner turn cost some polish, but the choreography suited her and she looked genuinely happy on the floor.
Judges: Carrie Ann 7, Len 6, Bruno 7
Nikki & Artem – Waltz
A graceful, understated waltz—short but elegant. Nikki’s lines were lovely and the partnership showed genuine chemistry. It was a welcome contrast to last week’s more aggressive routines.
Judges: Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, Bruno 7
Lindsey & Mark – Quickstep
Mark crafted inventive choreography that made an already strong dancer shine. Fast, clean and memorable; Lindsey’s theatrical ability gave the routine extra impact.
Judges: Carrie Ann 7, Len 7, Bruno 7
Tonight the judging remained conservative overall, with many higher marks seemingly reserved for later performances.
Barbara & Keo – Tango
An improvement over last week, though still basic. The tango needed more bite and steadier hold; there were moments of sloppiness, but Barbara made progress and showed more ease in the choreography.
Judges: Carrie Ann 6, Len 5, Bruno 6
Nick & Peta – Foxtrot
A routine that highlighted Peta’s expertise; Nick executed the steps but didn’t quite stand out. A simpler, forgettable foxtrot unless you were watching Peta’s polished performance.
Judges: Carrie Ann 7, Len 6, Bruno 6
Drew & Emma – Quickstep
Markedly better than last week. Dancing through a hamstring issue, Drew showed energy and improved confidence. Some frame looseness at his height, but an entertaining and spirited quickstep.
Judges: Carrie Ann 7, Len 6, Bruno 7
Vanessa & Maks – Foxtrot
A glitzy, old-Hollywood foxtrot with sultry flavor. Vanessa looked elegant, though she wobbled a bit in hold during faster moments. Clean up the center and this routine could have scored even higher.
Judges: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, Bruno 8
Frankie & Witney – Tango
A fierce, precise tango and a clear step up from the premiere. Frankie sometimes looks like he’s anticipating the next move, but his footwork and intensity made this a strong showing.
Judges: Carrie Ann 8, Len 7, Bruno 8
Terrell & Cheryl – Foxtrot
A controversial choice of styling: more sensual than ballroom, leaning toward rumba territory. The package included an awkward remark from Terrell about a fellow contestant that felt unnecessary. Choreography was bold, but the style didn’t always match foxtrot expectations.
Judges: Carrie Ann 7, Len 6, Bruno 7
Sasha & Gleb – Viennese Waltz
A notable rebound. Sasha looked more confident and relaxed than in Week One, delivering an elegant and well-acted Viennese waltz with good lines and improved presence.
Judges: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, Bruno 7
Victoria & Val – Tango
A hardworking, dramatic tango that played well to Victoria’s strengths. Not flawless, but controlled with commendable frame and a strong narrative. One of the evening’s more encouraging performances.
Judges: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, Bruno 8
Derek & Sharna – Foxtrot
A charming foxtrot with enjoyable choreography and a clear story. Technique could tighten up—particularly posture and finishing lines—but the performance had personality and heart.
Judges: Carrie Ann 6, Len 6, Bruno 7
Jordan & Lindsay – Viennese Waltz
A standout: controlled, elegant and technically strong. Jordan’s turns and lines impressed, and Lindsay’s choreography balanced style authenticity with breathtaking moments.
Judges: Carrie Ann 8, Len 8, Bruno 8
Week Two Leaderboard (out of 30)
Jordan – 24
Vanessa – 24
Victoria – 24
Sasha – 23
Frankie – 23
Lindsey – 21
Nikki – 21
Drew – 20
Terrell – 20
Debbie – 20
Derek – 19
Nick – 19
Barbara – 17
After the judges’ scores and viewer votes were combined, the two couples placed in jeopardy were Terrell & Cheryl and Barbara & Keo. The rest of the field was declared safe.
Eliminated tonight as the first couple sent home on DWTS Season 25 were:
Barbara & Keo
Barbara expressed heartfelt gratitude to Keo, calling the experience an honor and the most exciting thing she’s done. They will appear on GMA tomorrow before saying their final goodbyes on the ballroom floor.
Night one of this two-night event concluded with a reminder that the show returns tomorrow at 9 p.m. Eastern for “Latin Night,” when another couple will be eliminated. New polls and reaction content will be posted shortly based on tonight’s results. Thanks for following this recap—see you in less than 24 hours.