Hey everyone — welcome to week five of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. Last week, guest judge and mentor Jenna Johnson focused on building chemistry, pushing each pair to craft intimate routines that proved how well they connect. After the performances, Stephani Sosa and Tristen Sanders were eliminated, leaving six contestants as the competition reaches its midpoint.
Tonight’s guest mentor is choreographer Daniella Karagach, who challenges the dancers to create “wow” moments. Each pair must incorporate one of Daniella’s signature moves into a contemporary routine and develop an additional standout moment of their own. Host Robert Irwin leads the evening, while judges Mark Ballas and ballroom legend Shirley Ballas return to evaluate performances.
The pressure builds: with half the competitors gone, every performance matters. Shirley emphasizes how little separates the dancers now, and Mark reminds them that pressure can produce diamonds. Nina acknowledges she must use her past bottom-card placement to elevate her work.
Daniella delivers an epic contemporary routine
Daniella opens the show with an impressive contemporary routine, showcasing her strengths as both performer and choreographer. The choreography is inventive and dramatic, with high-flying lifts and striking moments that set the tone for the night. (Credit to the male dancer who executed those lifts flawlessly.)
Daniella tells the contestants their routines must be full of wow moments and include one of three iconic moves from the show while remaining contemporary in style. Robert surprises the group with a trip to Australia Zoo, where the dancers observe animals and draw inspiration from the experience. AJ is nervous around the wildlife, while Nina finds the visit grounding and restorative—a welcome break from the intensity of rehearsals.
Back in rehearsal, Daniella coaches the dancers to be proud of reaching this stage. Allen admits the pressure is intense because everyone dreams of winning. This week the boys choose partners: Allen selects Adele, Erik and AJ both choose Selena, and Selena ultimately chooses Erik, leaving Nina paired with AJ. Nina and AJ face additional pressure—Nina has been in the bottom before, and AJ’s background is primarily ballroom, so contemporary is new terrain for them both.
Allen and Adele work on ambitious lifts inspired by Daniella’s moves, while Selena, in her element, takes the lead with Erik. AJ and Nina draw on the zoo visit for animalistic, visceral moments; Nina, with some musical theater experience, focuses on storytelling. Rehearsals are emotionally intense—Adele struggles without her usual shoes for contemporary work, Allen reassures her of her talent, and AJ breaks down, opening up about how much he’s sacrificed for this opportunity. Nina encourages him to let go and trust.
Daniella urges Allen and Adele to refine their details, counsels Nina to give herself to AJ instead of overthinking, and pushes Selena and Erik to discover a clear wow moment. Erik believes silence and stillness can be the wow; Selena wants a more dramatic statement, creating some creative tension between them.
Show night arrives, and Shirley’s final instruction is direct: show something fresh or deliver a familiar move in an exceptional way.
Nina & AJ – Contemporary
Nina and AJ deliver a controlled, emotionally resonant contemporary. The choreography is smartly constructed with breath-catching moments and genuine emotion. Daniella praises their understanding of the assignment and highlights a playful “koala” moment inspired by the zoo visit. Mark calls the routine great and notes AJ’s emotional openness, while Shirley praises Nina’s musicality and the duo’s effective wow moments. Overall, the judges respond positively to their growth and vulnerability.
Adele & Allen – Contemporary
Adele and Allen present a powerful contemporary with a strong narrative arc. The piece begins softly, builds through dynamic lifts and exchanges, and reaches an emotional peak that sells the story. Allen’s secure partnering allows Adele to trust the more daring choreography, and their chemistry reads as practiced and confident. Mark applauds their speed and technical polish; Shirley goes further, calling Adele one of the best female dancers she’s seen on the show. Daniella praises their seamless connection—another standout performance.
Selena & Erik – Contemporary
Selena and Erik deliver an intense, passionate routine that leans into lyrical and almost balletic moments before shifting into raw, animalistic energy. Their physicality and commitment are compelling, but a few sloppy transitions undercut the overall impact. The judges are split: Mark praises technical elements like knee walks, while Shirley and Daniella expected a clearer, singular wow moment. Because Selena is already seen as a star of the competition, expectations are higher—when a performance doesn’t feel transcendent, the disappointment can seem sharper.
RESULTS
Deliberation is difficult. The judges discuss the presence—or absence—of a true wow moment. Erik and Selena take joint responsibility for a creative choice that emphasized stillness over flash, and Shirley places them both in the bottom two.
With a heavy heart, Shirley announces that Erik is eliminated. Erik says he’s proud of his growth as a dancer and a person. The decision is emotional for the contestants—the competition is tightening and every choice matters. Selena is left disappointed that Erik exited after performing in her preferred style, and the result underlines how crucial it is to deliver something unforgettable when working within your signature genre.
Next week
Next week guest mentor Witney Carson will challenge the remaining five contestants to teach amateurs. Each pro must coach a fan of Dancing with the Stars and prepare a routine under pressure—testing the teaching skills every professional on the show needs. Tune in next week to see who can translate their technique into effective instruction and remain in the running to become the next pro.