Dancing with the Stars Season 32: Music Video Night Preview — Guest Judge Paula Abdul, Team Dances, Styles and Song Choices
In Week 7 of Dancing with the Stars Season 32, the competition turns into Music Video Night as the eight remaining couples perform routines inspired by some of the most iconic music videos. The episode airs TUESDAY, NOV. 7 (8:00–10:01 p.m. EST/PST, 7:00–9:01 p.m. CST), simulcasting live on both ABC and Disney+ in local time zones, with episodes available the next day on Hulu. Expect high-energy production numbers, inventive choreography, and interpretations that nod to the visuals and spirit of classic music videos.
Special guest judge Paula Abdul will join the panel for this episode and makes her entrance to her hit song “Forever Your Girl.” Paula Abdul is a multi-talented singer, dancer and choreographer known to many as one of the original American Idol judges. She has also appeared as a guest judge on Dancing with the Stars previously and has served as a panelist on shows such as So You Think You Can Dance and The Masked Dancer. Her early career includes high-profile choreography work with The Jacksons and Janet Jackson, bringing an insider’s perspective to tonight’s music video-inspired performances.
Longtime judge Bruno Tonioli brings his own music-video credentials to the table: he once appeared as a background dancer in Elton John’s “I’m Still Standing” video. That connection adds extra interest to Barry Williams and pro Peta Murgatroyd’s Quickstep to Elton John’s classic, and will likely be a talking point during critiques.
Vote
Viewer participation is a key part of the competition. Fans can vote during the live simulcast in the EST and CST time zones. Online voting is available to fans across the U.S., its territories and Canada through the show’s official voting portal (dwtsvote.abc.com). U.S. viewers with participating wireless carriers can also cast votes via SMS/text, though this option is not available for fans in Canada. Live viewer votes are combined with the judges’ scores to determine which couples could face elimination each week.
Team Dances
The team dance competition returns this week, giving couples the opportunity to showcase group choreography in addition to their individual routines. Team performances will be scored and those points will factor into the couples’ overall totals, adding another strategic layer to the night.
Team 4 Everybody – “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by Backstreet Boys
Alyson & Sasha, Jason & Daniella, Ariana & Pasha and Barry & Peta
Team Young’n Style – “Gangnam Style” by PSY
Harry & Rylee, Lele & Brandon, Xochitl & Val and Charity & Artem
The eight remaining couples: dance styles and song choices
- Alyson Hannigan and pro Sasha Farber — Quickstep to “Candyman” by Christina Aguilera. Expect a bright, upbeat Quickstep that channels the pop energy of the song and its visual themes.
- Xochitl Gomez and pro Val Chmerkovskiy — Jazz to “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani. Their Jazz routine will aim to capture the bold attitude and rhythm of the track while translating it into dynamic choreography.
- Ariana Madix and pro Pasha Pashkov — Cha Cha to “I’m A Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears. This Cha Cha promises sultry movement and precise footwork paired with a song famous for its steamy visuals.
- Lele Pons and pro Brandon Armstrong — Salsa to “Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira. The Salsa should highlight Latin rhythms and the kind of hip-driven choreography associated with Shakira’s music videos.
- Charity Lawson and pro Artem Chigvintsev — Jazz to “All For You” by Janet Jackson. Their Jazz routine will likely emphasize syncopation and stylized, groove-based movement that matches Janet Jackson’s trademark style.
- Jason Mraz and pro Daniella Karagach — Jazz to “Take On Me” by a-ha. An inventive Jazz interpretation of this synth-pop classic could lean into theatricality and playful visual references.
- Harry Jowsey and pro Rylee Arnold — Jazz to “It’s Gonna Be Me” by *NSYNC. Expect a nostalgic, boy-band-flavored Jazz routine that channels early-2000s pop choreography.
- Barry Williams and pro Peta Murgatroyd — Quickstep to “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John. Their Quickstep will draw on the uplifting spirit of Elton John’s anthem and may nod to the music video connection shared by judge Bruno Tonioli.
Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough return as co-hosts of Dancing with the Stars, while Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough complete the judging panel alongside guest judge Paula Abdul. The live, audience-filled show is produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles Productions, and this Music Video Night episode promises to blend nostalgia, contemporary pop culture, and competitive ballroom dance as the season moves toward its later rounds.