DWTS: The Next Pro – Week 7 Recap Semi-Final Live Blog
Welcome to Week Seven of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. The competition has reached the semi-finals, and only one week remains before a new professional dancer is crowned. Last week’s mentoring challenge with guest judge Witney Carson tested teaching ability when each contestant partnered with a superfan and taught a ballroom routine. That exercise gave the judges insight into who could step onto the main show as a professional partner. After last week’s performances, Nina Mayster was eliminated and Selena Hamilton narrowly survived in the bottom two. Tonight’s episode is a crucial night: four competitors will each perform two dances and one will be cut before the finale.
Kym Johnson joins the panel as a guest mentor for this semi-final. The four remaining contestants will perform a two-round format: a Latin routine in Round One, each paired with a current Dancing with the Stars pro (Rylee Arnold, Witney Carson, Gleb Savchenko, and Jan Ravnik), followed by a ballroom routine in Round Two when the contestants will dance with one another. Judges Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas return, with host Robert Irwin presiding over the evening.
Pros perform a group number
The show opened with the four DWTS pros performing a lively ensemble number that set an energetic tone for the evening. After the group piece, pairings were confirmed: Allen with Witney, Adele with Gleb, AJ with Rylee, and Selena with Jan. Each pro offered feedback about their contestant’s rehearsal approach and teaching style: Adele and Gleb were described as connecting smoothly, Witney urged Allen to relax and own the moment, Jan praised Selena’s commercial dance instincts and creative choices, and Rylee noted AJ’s tendency toward critical analysis in rehearsals.
Judges listened to the pros’ assessments before the competition shifted into Round One, the Latin dances. Each contestant had to make the most of dancing alongside an experienced pro, and the judges were looking for both technical skill and performance quality.
Allen & Witney – Jive
Allen opened the Latin round with a high-energy jive alongside Witney. The routine emphasized classic jive technique—kicks, flicks, and fast footwork—executed with commitment and performance flair. The judges praised the technical content and Allen’s decision to showcase strong jive fundamentals. Shirley felt Witney had more to offer that Allen didn’t fully use, while Kym agreed the pro was underutilized. Mark, however, called it his favorite jive of the season, celebrating the routine’s consistency and energy.
Selena & Jan – Salsa
Selena and Jan delivered an inventive salsa that stood out for its originality and spirit. The choreography pushed beyond familiar patterns, reflecting Selena’s commercial dance background and Jan’s willingness to break the mold. Judges praised the chemistry, clever choreography, and balance. Kym called Selena a star, Shirley loved the balance and connection, and Mark applauded their execution—an overall strong rebound for Selena after earlier struggles in the competition.
Adele & Gleb – Samba
Adele and Gleb presented an exceptional samba with polished technique, rhythmic precision, and confident partnering. The routine combined substance with showmanship, delivering classic samba elements executed at a high level. Judges admired the musicality and partnership; Mark encouraged a bit more play with musical phrasing, while Shirley wanted an extra “wow” moment to fit the television audience, but overall the performance drew strong approval.
AJ & Rylee – Cha-Cha-Cha
AJ and Rylee’s cha-cha was technically sound but slightly less captivating than the other performances. The routine had the expected cha-cha elements—precise footwork and timing—but it lacked the extra spark that turned several other dances into standout moments. Judges noted AJ’s expressive facial mannerisms as potentially distracting and suggested greater musicality and grit would enhance the performance. Rylee’s partnership moments were highlighted positively, however.
After the Latin round the show moved into Round Two: ballroom. Contestants switched partners and rehearsed intensely. Adele paired with AJ, Selena with Allen, and each competitor prepared a ballroom dance that could secure a spot in the finale.
Allen & Selena – Quickstep
Selena and Allen took on the quickstep with a lively, floor-covering routine full of character and clean footwork. The performance included playful steps and strong posture that helped the pair stand out. Judges praised their charisma and musicality, noting that both displayed the energy and presence needed for television ballroom performance. Mark emphasized their pop and personality as indicators they could succeed on the main show.
AJ & Adele – Foxtrot
AJ and Adele delivered an exquisitely traditional foxtrot, marked by elegant hold, smooth rise and fall, and polished partnering reminiscent of classical ballroom technique. Every detail—from head placement to frame—reflected professional-level training. Judges lauded the couple for embodying classic ballroom style; Shirley called AJ a star and praised their chemistry, while Kym declared the performance near perfection.
Dancing with the Stars Week 7 Semi-finals RESULTS
Results night proved difficult because all four contenders gave consistently strong performances across their two dances. Shirley described the semi-final as exceptional and reviewed each dancer’s growth over the season. Rather than announce a bottom two, the judges made a single, decisive cut. Tonight’s elimination was Allen. Emotions ran high as Allen expressed devastation but pride, and fellow contestants and judges offered supportive farewells. Mark appeared especially moved by the choice.
Looking ahead to the finale: next week’s live studio episode will pair each finalist with a former celebrity competitor, and there will be special dances that include the judges. With a live audience and one final chance to impress, the remaining dancers will give everything they have to become the next professional on Dancing with the Stars. Join us next week for the season finale and the crowning of the winner.