DWTS: The Next Pro – Week 6 Recap Live Blog
Welcome to Week Six — the quarter-finals — of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro. Last week’s mentor, Daniella Karagach, challenged the contestants to create routines with standout “wow” moments. Some rose to the occasion, while others struggled. After last week’s performances, Erik Linder was eliminated and Selena Hamilton landed in jeopardy. Tonight’s focus shifts to teaching: the competitors must prove they can coach a celebrity superfan in just two days.
Host Robert Irwin returns, and judges Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas will evaluate each pairing. Guest mentor Witney Carson joins the panel and demonstrates the core skill of the series — turning non-dancers into reliable partners on the ballroom floor. The remaining five contestants will each teach a social media personality a ballroom routine; the pairings and dance styles were drawn at random.
Mark emphasizes mental stamina and dramatic intention, while Shirley stresses the fundamentals of partner work. Witney performs a tango with a male dancer, setting a high bar and reminding the contestants what polished teaching should look like.
Witney Carson & Jarryd Byrne dance a tango
Over two days, the pros must simplify steps, teach posture and frame, and build confidence in their celebrity partners. The five superfans vary in experience — some have dance backgrounds, most do not — and each pro tailors their approach. Adele pairs with Anthony, who has some dance experience but not in ballroom; she focuses on precision. Selena, teaching ballroom for the first time, drills basics over and over. Jeremy is tentative about traditional technique and had hoped for lifts; Allan relies on a calm teaching style and praises his partner Zaira’s rapid progress.
AJ moves quickly through choreography, which frustrates his partner Bailey at times, but his coaching experience, including time on Strictly Come Dancing, shows. Nina breaks down posture and nuance but worries she hasn’t finalized choreography. As the second day unfolds, judges and Witney observe rehearsals. Shirley is concerned some routines lack enough of the assigned dance’s essential content — for example, Selena’s quickstep needs more traveling. Witney urges competitors to manage time better, and praises those who demonstrate trust-building with their partners.
Before the performances, Witney asks each superfan to rate their confidence. Scores range widely, from a high of 8 to as low as 4. Low confidence from a partner can undermine even the strongest teaching plan, and several pros work late into the night to shore up their partners’ self-belief.
Show night arrives and the ballroom is dressed and ready. The five pairs perform in the following order.
Nina & Jay Wyson – Foxtrot
Nina’s Foxtrot is earnest and charming. Jay gives everything he has despite limited ballroom experience, and Nina succeeds in teaching both fundamentals and performance quality. The slow pace reflects Jay’s novice status, but the couple convey the routine’s mood. Shirley praises Jay’s personality while noting technical issues with hold and footwork. Mark points out frame problems, and Witney appreciates some modern touches but wishes time management had been tighter.
Adele & Anthony Riccardo – Tango
Adele delivers a fierce tango and Anthony commits fully, maintaining intensity from start to finish. Strong posture and clear tango technique make this a memorable performance; the pair present convincing dynamics and dramatic intent. Mark applauds the movement and contrasts, Shirley calls it “fierce and fair” but would have liked a touch more levity, and Witney is surprised by Anthony’s transformation from rehearsals to performance.
AJ & Bailey McKnight – Viennese Waltz
AJ’s experience shows in a technically sound Viennese Waltz. He carefully teaches rise and fall, posture and turning technique, and Bailey absorbs the lesson quickly. The result is a polished routine with strong fundamentals. Witney praises the technical integrity, Mark recognizes AJ’s expertise, and Shirley calls the two-day preparation “miraculous.” The judges note a wish for more emotional connection, but the execution is impressive.
Allan & Zaira Ladisla – Waltz
Allan presents a simple, emotional waltz that reads like a fairytale moment. The routine focuses on connection and feeling rather than flashy technique, which makes it visually beautiful. Shirley appreciates the partnership and emotional clarity while asking Allan to tighten his basics. Witney highlights the trust he built with Zaira and Mark calls the performance solid overall.
Selena & Jeremy Urann – Quickstep
Selena’s quickstep is pure joy — fast, playful and full of personality. Jeremy’s charm and energy light up the floor, and the routine captures the old-school fun of quickstep. Witney would happily have Jeremy as her partner; she notes Selena could have included more quickstep-specific content. Mark calls the performance musical and enjoyable but points out it could have traveled the floor more. Shirley reiterates that the challenge was coaching and wanted more emphasis on covering the floor, per the brief.
After the critiques, it becomes clear which competitors are at risk. The judges deliberate and announce the two dancers up for elimination.
RESULTS
Shirley reflects on how much was learned by both competitors and superfans tonight. Mark names Nina as the first dancer in jeopardy and places Selena in the second spot. Both judges praise the effort but emphasize missing technical elements and floor craft. Ultimately, Shirley delivers the decision: the last dance for Nina. Nina expresses disappointment but gratitude for how much she’s grown since the competition began. Her partner Jay is visibly sad, and the group shares the customary hugs as she exits.
Looking ahead, next week’s semi-finals bring guest mentor Kym Johnson and a tougher format: the remaining pros will perform two routines alongside four Dancing with the Stars professionals for a place in the finals. With just four contestants left, every lesson in teaching and partnership will matter even more. Join us next Monday for the semi-final competition and more ballroom drama.