Halloween Night on Dancing with the Stars Season 34 delivered chills, thrills, and shocking eliminations as the nine remaining celebrities dazzled the ballroom with eerie makeovers and bone-chilling routines. Co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough welcomed fans back to Week 7, joined by judges Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and guest judge Cheryl Burke, the two-time Mirrorball champion who returned to the ballroom to lend her expertise.
Before the dancing even began, Alfonso announced that Elaine Hendrix was absent due to an injury sustained earlier that morning, though she still competed via rehearsal footage alongside her partner Alan Bersten (per Parade). The night also featured the intense “Dance Monster-thon,” where all remaining couples first performed the Hustle and then the Lindy Hop, earning bonus points that were added to their first-round scores.
Amid all this, Burke’s guest judging stirred curiosity, marking her first official return since her exit in 2022.
Who Went Home on ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 34 Episode 7? Elimination & Results Explained
Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik bid adieu to the DWTS stage after a tense week. Meanwhile, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy earned the night’s highest individual score, performing a tango to Billie Eilish’s Bury a Friend. Derek Hough called it “chilling, intense, fantastic,” Cheryl Burke said, “The tango is full of fire and passion, and you did all that,” and Bruno Tonioli praised it as “drop dead good.”
Robert Irwin’s Argentine Tango with Witney Carson earned 38, with Bruno declaring, “You literally killed it,” and Carrie Ann noting:
You were in control of that dance. That was an amazing delivery of a great piece of choreography.
Andy Richter, despite his lowest score, celebrated a personal best: Carrie Ann Inaba said, “Every week you get better,” while Derek Hough upgraded Andy’s score from 6 to 7, commenting, “You were committed and you were doing it.”
Full Judges’ Scores (per Parade):
Dance Monster-Thon Scores:
Remaining Couples:
Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa, Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy, Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach, Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov, Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten, Robert Irwin & Witney Carson, Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas, Andy Richter & Emma Slater.
Why Did Cheryl Burke Leave Dancing With the Stars? Inside Her Complicated History With the Show
Cheryl Burke’s return as a guest judge on Halloween Night sparked intrigue. Having started as a pro in Season 2, she participated almost continuously until Season 19, then returned intermittently before leaving permanently in 2022. She revealed, highlighting her commitment to mental health advocacy and podcasting (TV Insider):
It is time for me to begin the next phase of my career, although dance will always be a part of me.
Burke explained her departure in 2024 on her podcast, stating she had sought a promotion and felt overlooked:
It wasn’t just given to me, like ‘Oh, OK, we’re going to do a beautiful send-off.’ It was a fight that my team had to really put their foot down and basically put everything into perspective for them. Like, ‘Wow, you don’t want to give her anything, not even a little goodbye?’
She admitted to grieving the loss of friendships over nearly two decades. Despite past tensions, Burke emphasized gratitude and excitement for her return. Burke told People:
It’s gonna be emotional, but I am here in a different way this time. I’m here for the couples, and I really hope to be able to give constructive criticism, but also be encouraging. And I know what it takes. I have been there.
She remains a two-time Mirrorball champion, having won Seasons 2 and 3 with Drew Lachey and Emmitt Smith.
This week proved DWTS is about endurance, artistry, and the courage to face both physical and emotional challenges. Burke’s return adds layers of intrigue and mentorship that could redefine judging dynamics. As eliminations tighten, which celebrity will rise or tumble next? Drop your predictions and fiery takes in the comments below!
Dancing With the Stars Season 34 airs LIVE at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
