Dancing with the StarsFull Recap: 1 Contestant Fogs Up Gene Simmons' Glasses and Another Sheds Tears

Mar. 15, 2025

Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (left) and Sasha Farber and Jenn Tran.Photo:Andrew Eccles/disney (2)

Andrew Eccles/disney (2)

Dancing with the Starsis ready to get wild!The competitive dance show is back with its second show of the week after fans were treated to a pre-taped episode on Monday, Oct. 7 after a short break for thevice presidential debate.While there were no eliminations in last night’s episode, hostsAlfonso RibeiroandJulianne Houghrevealed that two couples would be going home on Tuesday’s Hair Metal Night.On Oct. 3, PEOPLE exclusively confirmed that rock legendGene Simmonswould make his debut on the show as a guestjudgealongsideCarrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli andDerek Houghfor Hair Metal night.The 11 pairs will face off on the dance floor with routines to iconic rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Ahead of the exciting episode, judge and former pro Hough coached the dancers on the ins and outs of lifts and tricks required in the genres of dances for the night.Read along to find out who rose above the rest on Hair Metal night.(Note: the most recent updates appear at the top, so scroll all the way down to start from the beginning of the show.)

Dancing with the Starsis ready to get wild!

The competitive dance show is back with its second show of the week after fans were treated to a pre-taped episode on Monday, Oct. 7 after a short break for thevice presidential debate.

While there were no eliminations in last night’s episode, hostsAlfonso RibeiroandJulianne Houghrevealed that two couples would be going home on Tuesday’s Hair Metal Night.

On Oct. 3, PEOPLE exclusively confirmed that rock legendGene Simmonswould make his debut on the show as a guestjudgealongsideCarrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli andDerek Houghfor Hair Metal night.

The 11 pairs will face off on the dance floor with routines to iconic rock ‘n’ roll anthems. Ahead of the exciting episode, judge and former pro Hough coached the dancers on the ins and outs of lifts and tricks required in the genres of dances for the night.

Read along to find out who rose above the rest on Hair Metal night.

(Note: the most recent updates appear at the top, so scroll all the way down to start from the beginning of the show.)

The Results Are InOctober 08, 2024 10:04 PM EDTCopy The Link To This Blog PostAfter the final dance of the night, America voted to keep their favorite couples in the running for the coveted mirrorball trophy.Alfonso announced that the first five pairs who would be safe were: Joey and Jenna, Brooks and Gleb, Stephen and Rylee and Chandler and Brandon.Julianne continued and revealed that Jenn and Sasha, Phaedra and Val, Danny and Witney and Dwight and Daniella would be moving on to the next round.This left Eric and Britt, Reginald and Emma and Ilona and Alan on the chopping block. America voted to keep Ilona and Alan in the running for the grand prize and sent Eric and Reginald home.When asked about his experience on the show, Reginald told the audience about his partnership with Emma, “This has been a very special, best occasion, and she’s been very special to me.“As for Eric, he replied, “I have never had a better working experience in my entire professional life.”

The Results Are In

October 08, 2024 10:04 PM EDT

After the final dance of the night, America voted to keep their favorite couples in the running for the coveted mirrorball trophy.

Alfonso announced that the first five pairs who would be safe were: Joey and Jenna, Brooks and Gleb, Stephen and Rylee and Chandler and Brandon.

Julianne continued and revealed that Jenn and Sasha, Phaedra and Val, Danny and Witney and Dwight and Daniella would be moving on to the next round.

This left Eric and Britt, Reginald and Emma and Ilona and Alan on the chopping block. America voted to keep Ilona and Alan in the running for the grand prize and sent Eric and Reginald home.

When asked about his experience on the show, Reginald told the audience about his partnership with Emma, “This has been a very special, best occasion, and she’s been very special to me.”

As for Eric, he replied, “I have never had a better working experience in my entire professional life.”

Joey Graziadei is a Bone Fide Rockstar

October 08, 2024 09:54 PM EDT

Before taking the stage, Alfonso told viewers that the songs were chosen weeks before and acknowledged how the selection could be sensitive as Hurricane Milton intensifies.

Joey began his electrifying dance with a drum solo and stunned audiences as he did backflips and hit every deliberate move. The couple received a standing ovation and well as high reviews from judges.

“You are the leader of the pack!” Bruno screamed after Derek admitted his performance may have been “the best tango I’ve seen from a male celebrity ever.”

Score: 36/40

October 08, 2024 09:45 PM EDT

In rehearsal footage shared before their dance, Phaedra admitted that she knew “what you give a love a bad names means because I went through a bad divorce.”

After channeling her inner baddie, the reality star took the stage and wowed audiences despite making a few mistakes.

“I thought that was pretty dynamic,” Derek said, adding that he was digging Phaedra’s Tina Turner vibe. “Yes, there were a few little things here and there, but we want to match the energy a little bit moving forward. But overall, well done.”

Score: 26/40

Jenn Tran Won’t Be Contained!

October 08, 2024 09:37 PM EDT

“I know I keep saying this, but every time you get on the floor, you’re so exciting because you’re really unpredictable,” Carrie gushed. “You really dance on the edge, and I’m never quite sure if you’re gonna hit but you hit it!”

Score: 31/40

Ilona’s Performance Gets Her Emotional

October 08, 2024 09:30 PM EDT

Ilona shimmied, shook and grooved toQuiet Riot’s “Cum On Feel the Noize” as she performed the Jive with her partnerAlan Bersten.

Though the couple started their performance on a high, Ilona missed a few steps but completed their routine. As she awaited the judges' feedback, the Olympian became emotional and cried, feeling disappointed.

“When things go wrong on the field, you sort of regroup and come back next week and you come up strong,” Derek reassured her. “I have no doubt for to come back and be fantastic.

“This was a really tough dance for me, and this whole week’s been really tough,” Ilona confessed. “And you do it so well in dress rehearsal, and then you come out and you mess it up. So it’s really hard.”

Eric Roberts Turns His Pain Into Art

October 08, 2024 09:16 PM EDT

“Well, the ’80s were life changing for me. In 1981, I was in a car accident,” he recalled during rehearsals. “My car hit a tree and I almost died. I was in a coma for two weeks, and I had broken ribs. My right side was paralyzed. I thought it was gonna beat me, so I got very angry, and I use it as my motivation.”

While Eric got frustrated working through the steps in rehearsals, he delivered with his high energy performance.

The judges noted that there were a few mistakes in his dance but gave him props for the amount of effort and determination he was putting into his journey.

“As far as I’m concerned, everything begins and ends with your heart,” Gene said. “You’ve got a big heart my friend, you’re a real rock star. Despite whatever excuses everybody talks about, you stepped up there [and] took your pretty girl in hand. Your attitude and your intent are absolutely brilliant.”

Score: 22/40

Dwight Howard is a Fighter!

October 08, 2024 09:08 PM EDT

After receiving less than ideal feedback from judges on Monday’s episode, the former NBA pro vowed to come back with a vengeance!

“As an athlete, you know, I understand it’s gonna be some bumps in the road,” Dwight told cameras during rehearsals. “But you come back the next day, it’s all about consistency. We need a redemption now.”

“Tonight, my man, you were the comeback kingYou came out strong, you came out confident. You came prepared,” Derek said. “I hate to say it, but this could paso-do-be your best dance!”

Score: 29/30

Pommel Horse Guy Releases His Rocking Alter Ego

October 08, 2024 08:57 PM EDT

Stephen and Rylee impressed the judges and audience alike with their spectacular moves and received glowing reviews! The couple’s hard work paid off in spades when the judges acknowledged all of the changes Stephen made with his form.

“I put the hours in,” Stephen told cameras as he awaited his scores. “I tried my absolute hardest to fix that. Hardest to fix that frame, figure out what works for me, and Riley’s just a great coach. She’s able to get me to do it.”

Score: 32/40

Things Get Steamy Between Brooks and Gleb

October 08, 2024 08:47 PM EDT

Her chemistry with Gleb was undeniable as they flew across the dance floor and hit dips, flips and splits! The two even shared an onstage kiss when they touched tongues as they came up from a move with a lick.

When the results came in, the judges agreed this was their best performance yet!

“If you did something more technically proficient and so on, you’d wipe the floor with everybody, but your vibe, your personality, out of this world!” Gene gushed.

Score: 33/40

Chandler Kinney Isn’t Going to Take It!

October 08, 2024 08:37 PM EDT

After Derek said Chandler was “in a league of your own” and Gene admitted the performance “fogged up” his sunglasses, Bruno called her a rock “diva” and pointed out that the actress needed to work on keeping her energy up and staying on rhythm.

“I have high expectations for you, because on week one, you showed us you can dance,” Carrie added. “Give us your best, because this show is also about transformation – and even you – who is beautiful and wonderful, we still want to you grow too.”

Reginald VelJohnson Pushes Through The Pain

October 08, 2024 08:24 PM EDT

In rehearsal footage shared before their dance, Reginald admitted he didn’t “feel too good” and his legs were in pain.

“I can’t dance as good as the youngsters can in the show. I had my knee replaced about a year ago so doing all those steps is kind of hard,” he told Emma, who encouraged him, and replied, “You are still young enough to do this!”

After the duo struck powerful moves and facial expressions, the judges gave the two glowing reviews but noted that Reginald needed to support Emma more when she performed dips in their routine.

“My friend, again, your upper half was fantastic,” Derek praised. “You hit all the moves. You’re right on time. It was great. Well done.”

Score: 21/40

Danny Channels Jon Bon Jovi

October 08, 2024 08:15 PM EDT

As they wowed audience with their striking moves, cheers erupted from fans when Danny took off his jacket in a sultry move. The judges thought Danny rushed some of his moves but all agreed on one thing – he and Witney were “hot, hot, hot!”

“Danny, I’m telling you, you’re right next to somebody, one of the more beautiful women on the planet. She makes you look good,” Gene said of the duo’s chemistry as cameras panned to Witney with a bewildered look on her face.

The musical artist joked, “But buddy, you got to hit the gym. You got to get in there!”

Score: 30/40

Hair Metal Night Kicks Off with a Bang!

October 08, 2024 08:07 PM EDT

After a short infomercial-style introduction featuring all of the contestants, the pros kicked off Hair Metal night with a special performance to “Rock and Roll All Nite.”

Shortly after Gene Simmons made his entrance, Julianne asked what he’d was looking for as a judge and he replied, “I want to see is every one of these great contestants to step up, channel your inner rock god and release the kraken!”

Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko Etch Their Relationship in Ink

October 08, 2024 07:56 PM EDT

The outlet reported that an onlooker claimed the partners put on “quite the show” and looked “really smitten as Brooks put her arms around his shirtless body.”

Per theDaily Mail, Brooks and Gleb got the tattoos somewhere on their abdomen and turned on the PDA as they gave each other kisses and wrapped their arms around each other while getting tattooed.

Gleb and Brooks share a kiss while rehearsing for ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Hulu

Hulu

Speculation into their potential showmance began when Brooks and Gleb were spotted being a little too affectionate backstage onDancing with the Stars.

Behind the scenes, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other, with him tickling her from behind and grabbing her waist backstage as they waited to talk to press. They continuously called each other “babe” and Brooks kept an arm around Gleb and her hand on his stomach all night, and the two even snuck in small pecks earlier in the evening while practicing ahead of their performance.

DWTSPulls Back The Curtain on Viewer Votes

Ahead of the night’s episode, ABC revealed the number of viewers who voted for their favorite celebrity contestants for the first time. The network toldDeadlinethat the competitive dance series saw more than 14 million votes for their Sept. 24 episode, which sawAnna DelveyandTori Spellingeliminated from the running.

According to the outlet, the show received the most votes ever received in a single episode in the history of the series.

Conrad Green, an executive producer ofDWTS,told Deadline, “The record number of votes that week suggests to me that alotof our audience are very passionate about alotof our stars this year, and the increased ratings year or year would suggest that it is the case.”

(L) Tori Spelling and Anna Delvey compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Disney/Eric McCandless (2)

Disney/Eric McCandless (2)

Not only is there “real dance talent across the cast,” but Green also said the celebrities have shared lots of “unique stories” and possess “so much potential” to grow as performers.

Additionally, the executive producer shared howDWTShas been a “really positive show at a time when the world is feeling pretty bleak.”

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source: people.com