DWTS Prince Night Eliminates Whitney Leavitt; Robert Irwin Scores Perfect 30

When Robert Irwin spun across the ballroom floor to Prince’s "Kiss" on Wednesday night, the judges didn’t just stand up—they erupted. His performance, a flawless blend of charisma and control, earned the first perfect 30 of Dancing With The Stars Season 32’s semifinals, aired November 19, 2025, at the ABC Television Center in Los Angeles. But the night’s most shocking moment wasn’t the score—it was the elimination of Whitney Leavitt, the country singer who’d survived eight grueling weeks of dance-offs, fan backlash, and inconsistent scores. One mistake, one misstep, and her run ended. The twist? She was the fan favorite.

Prince Night Demanded More Than Moves—It Demanded Soul

This wasn’t just another themed night. Prince Rogers Nelson’s music—funky, sensual, boundary-shattering—required contestants to channel more than technique. They had to embody the spirit of a man who turned music into rebellion. Each of the seven remaining dancers performed two numbers: one ballroom, one Latin, both pulled from Prince’s catalog. For Whitney Leavitt, that meant a sultry rumba to "I Would Die 4 U" and a fiery jive to "U Got the Look." Critics called her performances "authentic" and "heartfelt." Yet, the scores didn’t reflect it. She landed in the bottom two.

Meanwhile, Robert Irwin, the 21-year-old wildlife conservationist from Australia, turned his two dances—first a romantic slow dance to "Adore," then the explosive "Kiss"—into a masterclass in presence. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba didn’t just give him 10s. She leaned into the camera and said, "This is how you tell the world you deserve to be in the finale." The room went silent. Then the crowd roared.

The Elimination That No One Saw Coming

Whitney’s exit stunned viewers and insiders alike. She’d been a steady presence since the season premiere on September 16, 2025. Her dances were never the flashiest, but they were the most honest. She cried after her first performance. She hugged her partner after every routine. Fans created #SaveWhitney hashtags that trended for hours. Yet, when host Tyra Banks announced the names, it was Whitney’s name that didn’t make the cut.

"It’s not about who danced better," one longtime DWTS producer told Entertainment Weekly. "It’s about who the audience remembers. And this week, the audience remembered Robert’s energy. Not Whitney’s heart. That’s the cruel math of this show."

Her elimination left the field at four: Robert Irwin, social media star Alix Earle, actor Dylan Efron, and Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles. Zeiss and Elaine Hris were also eliminated that night, though their exits were less controversial. Zeiss, the mysterious dancer whose full name remains unconfirmed, had been a dark horse—technically brilliant but emotionally distant. Elaine Hris, a veteran TV personality, simply couldn’t match the energy of the younger competitors.

Why Robert Irwin’s Perfect Score Matters

A perfect 30 on DWTS is rare. Only three other contestants in Season 32 had achieved it—two in the first few weeks, both eliminated by Week 6. Robert’s score was different. It came in the semifinals, under pressure, against the odds. And it wasn’t just about technique. His dances told a story: the quiet boy from Australia, raised by a wildlife legend, now owning the spotlight with grace. His partner, professional dancer Emma Slater, later told reporters, "He didn’t just learn the steps. He learned how to be a star."

That’s why the judges didn’t just give him 10s—they gave him legacy. When Bruno Tonioli said, "You made Prince proud," it wasn’t flattery. It was reverence.

What’s Next? The Final Four and the Mirrorball Trophy

The Dancing With The Stars Season 32 finale airs November 26, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time—same studio, same tension. The format will be different: each finalist performs a trio dance (with a past contestant), a freestyle, and a redemption dance. The winner will be decided by a 50/50 split of judges’ scores and public votes.

Robert Irwin is now the odds-on favorite. But don’t count out Jordan Chiles. The Olympic medalist has been quietly climbing the leaderboard. Alix Earle’s fan base is massive. Dylan Efron? He’s the wildcard. His emotional salsa to "Purple Rain" had people in tears.

Whitney Leavitt’s exit leaves a quiet ache in the season’s narrative. She wasn’t the strongest dancer. But she was the most real. And sometimes, that’s the hardest thing to beat.