DANCING WITH THE STARS - Key Art. (Disney)
Dancing With the Stars Recap for 9/22/2026
This is viral night on Dancing With the Stars 35 on ABC. Tonight, the ladies will dance!
As always, Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough host while Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli judge.
After a fun opening act, we get down to business.
Celebrity: Jenna Dewan
Claim to Fame: The Rookie star
Pro: Val Chmerkovskiy
Dance: Jive
Song: Animal by KATSEYE
Sammi: What a fun way to begin the night! There is sass, good moves, sexiness and chemistry for days. She took Carrie Ann’s notes, read them and took them to hears and onto the ballroom floor.
Bruno: She did not miss a beat!
Carrie Ann: She showed up to dance.
Derek: Fantastic!
Score: 7-7-7=21/30
Celebrity: Ciara Miller
Claim to Fame: Summer House star
Pro: Brandon Armstrong
Dance: Tango
Song: No Broke Boys by Disco Lines and Tinashe
Sammi: Oh, girl, you wanted to be seen and you were seen! WOW! She just attacked that dance like nobody’s business. Get it, girl!
Carrie Ann: She has entered the building and the ballroom!
Derek: She radiates and was in it from start to finish.
Bruno: Beautiful!
Score: 6-6-6=18/30
Celebrity: Tyler Cameron
Claim to Fame: Bachelorette star and host
Pro: Sharna Burgess
Dance: Salsa
Song: Girls by The Kid LAROI
Sammi: That beginning lift was risky but well worth it. He is really putting his all into this and I am in awe of them. Then he was shirtless and WOW, next level with all the Magic Mike likeness added in.
Derek: He compared him to He-Man but calls it a bit too cabaret.
Bruno: He likes the shirtlessness but agrees with Derek.
Carrie Ann: Impressive.
Score: 6-5-5=16/30
Celebrity: Julia Stiles
Claim to Fame: Nineties teen idol/icon
Pro: Ezra Sosa
Dance: Tango
Song: The Door by Teddy Swims
Sammi: They have such drama when they dance. Everything about them is on point, filled with fiery moments and moves, not to mention the connection between them. LOVE it!
Bruno: He compares her to Sharon Stone, but points out some stumbles.
Carrie Ann: She loves her posture, but she also needs to let go.
Derek: Good performance.
Score: 5-6-5=16/30
Celebrity: Jackson Olson
Claim to Fame: Savannah Bananas star
Pro: Emma Slater
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: That’s So True by Gracie Abrams
Sammi: What an improvement from last week. Best dance of the night so far.
Carrie Ann: Very well done and much improved.
Derek: He was impressed by his frame.
Bruno: Charmed!
Score: 6-6-6=18/30
Celebrity: Giada de Laurentiis
Claim to Fame: Food Network star
Pro: Alan Bersten
Dance: Salsa
Song: Bella Ciao by Becky G
Sammi: She seemed very nervous, but she also was trying to do her best. I can tell this means a lot to her, but she needs to relax.
Derek: There were a few missteps but he is rooting for her.
Bruno: It was salsa without spice.
Carrie Ann: Shaky.
Score: 4-4-4=12/30
Celebrity: Connor Wood
Claim to Fame: Comedian/Podcaster
Pro: Rylee Arnold
Dance: Tango
Song: 12 to 12 by sombr
Sammi: Out of all the couples we have seen so far, these two seem to be having the most fun mixed with some incredible choreography. She is coming into her own as a pro and he just seems to be taking the entire experience in and loving every moment.
Bruno: There were a lot of mistakes but the good bits were excellent.
Carrie Ann: The mistakes were a shame but she enjoyed the good parts.
Derek: WHAT?!?!?!
Score: 5-5-5=15/30
Celebrity: Ezra Frech
Claim to Fame: Paralympic star
Pro: Daniella Karagach
Dance: Cha cha cha
Song: Low by Flo Rida
Sammi: Best dance of the night. No notes. He is such an inspiration and so wonderful to watch!
Carrie Ann: He went down and dirty with those moves.
Derek: He is blown away!
Bruno: Fab-u-lous!
Score: 7-7-7=21/30
Celebrity: Tatyana Ali
Claim to Fame: Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star
Pro: Jan Ravnik
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: What Was I Made For? by Billie Eilish
Sammi: The symbolism behind the dance and the power in it was so moving….she really improved since last week and showed a softer side tonight.
Derek: It was breathtaking and beautiful.
Bruno: Well done.
Carrie Ann: Touching.
Score: 6-6-6=18/30
Celebrity: Amber Glenn
Claim to Fame: Olympic star
Pro: Pasha Pashkov
Dance: Tango
Song: All The Things She Said by Harrison
Sammi: She has so much power when she dances. Everything about that dance was on fire tonight and she just proved she is a contender.
Bruno: Best tango of the night.
Carrie Ann: It was phenomenal.
Derek: MORE!
Score: 7-7-7=21/30
Celebrity: Guillermo Rodriguez
Claim to Fame: Jimmy Kimmel star
Pro: Witney Carson
Dance: Paso Doble
Song: Where Have You Been by Rihanna
Sammi: He is a hoot! While he may not have the best dance moves, he is such a joy to watch and I think that is exactly what we need these days, just plain old fashioned fun and humor!
Carrie Ann: She has so much love for him and how much he put into the dance.
Derek: He is a matador! Ole!
Bruno: OLE!
Score: 4-4-4=12/30
Celebrity: Taylor Hanson
Claim to Fame: Hanson star
Pro: Britt Stewart
Dance: Cha cha cha
Song: Cake By the Ocean by DNCE
Sammi: They are adorable. I am a superfan of both of them so I am a bit biased, but they are so incredible together. The footwork, the sexiness, the chemistry….all of it is HOT HOT HOT.
Derek: He gives him some tips on his arms, but likes him.
Bruno: He likes the risks and dirty dancing but he needs to work on the feet.
Carrie Ann: Frenetic!
Score: 5-5-5=15/30
Celebrity: Harry Shum Jr.
Claim to Fame: Grey’s Anatomy/Glee star
Pro: Jenna Johnson
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Song: Iris by Goo Goo Dolls
Sammi: The beginning was a bit confusing but they made up for it with one of the most beautiful Viennese waltzes I’ve ever seen. I am in awe.
Bruno: Great performance and dance.
Carrie Ann: It was good, albeit out of balance.
Derek: Beautiful.
Score: 6-6-6=18/30
Celebrity: Maura Higgins
Claim to Fame: Reality star
Pro: Mark Ballas
Dance: Cha cha cha
Song: September by Earth, Wind and Fire
Sammi: That was an amazing way to end the night….and the song is PERFECT for this week (although it would have worked better if this aired last night!) these two are the ones to watch.
Carrie Ann: This is a process and she sees her work.
Derek: She is elegant…but gives her some tips to improve.
Bruno: Bravo!
Score: 6-6-7=19/30
RESULTS!!! Tatyana and Jan, Jackson and Emma, Ezra and Daniella, Ciara and Brandon, Taylor and Britt and Amber and Pasha are all safe!
Maura and Mark, Jenna and Val, Harry and Jenna, Connor and Rylee and Julia and Ezra are all safe.
The maybe bottom three are Guillermo and Witney, Giada and Alan and Tyler and Sharna with Giada and Alan going home.
More next week, stay tuned!
About the Author
