DWTS Horror Movie Night Delivers Double Elimination, Leaving Eight Couples

Dancing With the Stars' Horror Movie Night sent two couples home, leaving eight competitors standing.

Dancing With the Stars season 35 staged its most dramatic night yet on Tuesday, October 27, combining scores from two weeks to deliver a double elimination during a Halloween-themed Horror Movie Night episode. Because no one was eliminated during the previous Dedication Night, producers rolled scores from both weeks together to determine who would go home — a twist that raised the stakes considerably for every remaining couple. The double elimination reduced the field to eight couples still competing for the mirrorball trophy. The combined-score format meant that contestants who had strong weeks previously had a buffer, while those who struggled on either night faced compounded jeopardy. Guest judge Shirley Ballas, a prominent figure in the competitive dance world, joined the regular panel for Horror Night and made her presence felt quickly — reportedly dispensing notably low scores that added pressure to an already tense evening. Off the dance floor, a subplot involving pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, 40, played out in front of cameras. Chmerkovskiy issued a formal on-air apology to his partner Jenna Dewan, addressing what sources describe as recent controversy between the two. Regular judge Carrie Ann Inaba, 58, responded by praising his choreography — a notable gesture given the tension surrounding the situation. In a behind-the-scenes moment also captured during the episode, Inaba and Chmerkovskiy were filmed in what US Magazine described as a tender exchange, with Inaba holding his shoulders and Chmerkovskiy placing both hands around her waist — an apparent sign that the drama between them had eased. Looking ahead, the show has already announced its next themed episode: Disney Night, for which Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winning entertainer Cynthia Erivo is set to serve as guest judge — continuing the series' tradition of rotating celebrity panelists alongside its regular judges. The eliminations and the Chmerkovskiy storyline dominated viewer conversation after the broadcast, with multiple entertainment outlets covering both the competitive results and the interpersonal drama as twin storylines from the same night.

Why it matters

With eight couples remaining, the competition is entering its most critical stretch, making each week's results increasingly consequential for fans and contestants alike. The Val Chmerkovskiy drama adds an interpersonal layer that has drawn significant viewer and media attention to season 35.

What's next

Disney Night is next, with Cynthia Erivo serving as guest judge.

Key facts

• Horror Movie Night aired Tuesday, October 27, as part of DWTS season 35
• A double elimination occurred because no one was sent home during the prior Dedication Night
• Scores from two consecutive weeks were combined to determine who was eliminated
• Eight couples remain in the competition following the double elimination
• Shirley Ballas served as guest judge and reportedly gave out notably low scores
• Val Chmerkovskiy, 40, issued a formal on-air apology to partner Jenna Dewan; judge Carrie Ann Inaba, 58, praised his choreography

Bias & framing notes

Most sources provided limited detail — Just Jared's reporting was largely paywalled or truncated behind spoiler warnings, leaving specifics about which couples were eliminated absent from the available text. US Magazine offered more interpersonal detail around the Chmerkovskiy-Inaba moment but relied on unnamed or behind-the-scenes sourcing for context. The framing across outlets leaned into drama and shock language ('heartbreaking,' 'savage,' 'spine-chilling'), which is standard for entertainment recap coverage but should be noted. No outlet provided the actual elimination names or full score breakdowns in the excerpts provided.

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