Welcome to week three of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, where teamwork and adaptability are put to the test. After an emotional week focused on personal storytelling with guest mentor Brandon Armstrong, one hopeful, Benji Castro, was eliminated, leaving nine competitors striving to prove they have what it takes to become a professional on the ballroom stage.
Tonight’s guest mentor is Britt Stewart, who arrives with high energy and a fierce opening number that immediately raises the bar. Britt’s expertise in both solo and group choreography sets the tone: the contestants must work in two teams to produce a unified routine. One team will perform a Tango, the other a Paso Doble, and at the end of the night another dancer will be cut from the competition. Hosts and judges remain the same, with Robert Irwin hosting and ballroom authorities Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas judging the night’s performances.
Britt emphasizes the unique challenges of group numbers—tight spacing, sync, musicality, and storytelling—drawing from the opening production numbers that viewers love on the main show. Contestants immediately face demanding choreography, and rehearsals are tense and revealing. Some performers thrive in the ensemble environment while others wrestle with leadership, timing, and listening.
Several rehearsal moments stand out. Nina struggles with musicality and spatial awareness and has difficulty taking direction, which previously caused friction with Benji. Tristen fights nerves and timing issues, ultimately breaking down in tears when feedback lands harder than expected. Selena, who has strong group experience, often assumes leadership and clashes with Nina, prompting apologies and attempts to smooth tensions. Stephani briefly panics after accidentally striking Natalie during a run-through; Natalie requires medical attention, reminding everyone how quickly rehearsals can go from high-energy to hazardous.
Adding pressure, Britt reveals that contestants have only three hours of rehearsal time before performing in front of Mark and Shirley. With the clock ticking, the cast scrambles to cement formations and musical phrasing, and nerves run high when they’re thrust into on-the-spot judgment.
Britt and Robert later return to split the cast into two teams with captains named: Nina and Tristen. Nina’s picks include Allen, AJ, and Adele, while Tristen selects Stephani, Selena, and Erik. Tristen’s group is assigned the Paso Doble; Nina’s group gets the Tango.
Rehearsals reveal different leadership styles. Nina steps back and lets AJ take creative control, allowing him to showcase his choreographic strengths and take risks. Tristen, meanwhile, wrestles with asserting himself, prompting teammates to encourage him to own the role of captain. Erik, the least commercial dancer on Tristen’s team, listens closely and contributes where he can.
Show night arrives with Natalie still under medical supervision, unable to perform. First to take the stage is Team Paso Doble. The routine earns praise for moments of strength—Tristen appears more confident and Erik shines—but judges note occasional timing and spatial issues and critique the group for feeling like separate individuals rather than a single unit. Britt praises the dynamic opening while Shirley stresses the value of a clear leader.
Next up, Team Tango delivers a polished, dramatic performance that highlights strong facial work and fresh choreography. Despite an early fall by Allen, the team recovers quickly and maintains momentum. Mark compliments Nina’s improvement but urges continued work on timing; Shirley applauds AJ’s standout contribution while cautioning him to temper ego and focus on the ensemble. Britt observes that boundaries were pushed creatively and the team took risks that paid off.
Judges ultimately favor the Tango team for its cohesion and artistry, placing the Paso Doble team in jeopardy. Shirley names Selena as the first dancer at risk, and Mark singles out Tristen as the second. However, before an elimination can be finalized, judges reveal that neither dancer will be sent home tonight. Instead, because Natalie was not cleared to compete, she is eliminated on medical grounds. Natalie appears briefly to receive support and applause from her fellow contestants, acknowledging the disappointment while prioritizing her health.
Week three closes on a poignant note: strong teamwork, leadership lessons, and the bittersweet reality of injury and elimination. Looking ahead, next week’s theme centers on chemistry with special guest Jenna Johnson. Partners will be chosen, emotions may flare, and relationships—both competitive and personal—could influence performances. Tune in Monday night to see how the dynamics shift and which dancers rise to the challenge.