Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro Recap for 7/20/2026

 

We are in week two of Dancing With The Stars: The Next Pro. The remaining dancers will perform again, not waste any second on the dance floor and give  it all they got to become a pro on DWTS.

 

Robert Irwin hosts while Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas judge.

 

Tonight’s guest judge is Branson Armstrong. We get a look at one of his favorite dancers, which was in honor of him being adopted by a white family and how he is pro-adoption.

 

He wants everyone to tell a meaningful story in their respective dances.

 

Erik will be with Natalie, Benji will be with Nina, Tristen will be with Stephani, AJ will be with Selena and Allen will be with Adele. They will each decide whose story will be told, what song they will use, and which dance will fit best.

 

Everyone sits down to discuss what story they will tell.

 

Stephani wants to talk about growing up Latina and finally being able to be herself unapologetically.

Tristen wants to talk about growing up Black and how he was being told what to do and not being able to be himself.

They decide to tell her story.

 

Benji requests to tell his story that pays homage to Miami, while Nina wants to talk about being in an abusive relationship, losing her father and trying to overcome it all while still dancing.

 

Adele wants to dedicate her story to her dance/life partner, while Allen wants to dedicate his dance to his mom, who loved the show and died when he was a teenager. She wants to honor his mom with their dance.

 

Everyone goes to the studio to work on their dances.

 

Natalie’s story is about coming to America from Hong Kong and how dance helped her find her voice.

 

Selena and AJ do a jive. She seems overwhelmed as he tries adding more technique.

 

Benji and Nina do the rumba for her story.

 

Allen wants to add lifts to his dance with Adele and it gets overwhelming as she gets scared and he feels emotional.

 

Everyone gathers together that night to hang out at the house, but it gets tense when Benji and Nina begin fighting about their dance their feelings about it and stories she told him. Needless to say, she is very unhappy.

 

The next day, Benji and Nina make up and he even makes her a sandwich as a peace offering.

 

Everyone begins working on their dances, with Brandon visiting each couple, offering advice and ways to make it stand out. This is especially important for Natalie and Erik, who have trouble connecting.

 

Allen and Robert have a heart-to-heart about losing parents and have a sweet bonding moment.

 

Show night! One couple will be in jeopardy, with one half going home.

 

Natalie and Erik (Viennese Waltz): It is a beautiful and moving dance and you can really feel the emotion. They both may have been timid last week, but this week? They are giving it all on the dance floor.

Shirley: She loves the story and how Natalie loved her confidence. She also compares Erik to Prince Charming.

Brandon: It was amazing and top notch.

Mark: He loves their improvement and storytelling.

 

Nina and Benji (Rumba): This one also has a ton of emotion. Despite their struggles this week, they were able to leave it all behind and deliver an incredible dance with a ton of chemistry and beautiful moments. They seem a bit nervous, but otherwise they did a decent job.

Brandon: He thinks it was a bit disjointed.

Mark: He wants them to focus on their communication.

Shirley: She wants Nina to listen more and have Benji’s talents were taken away a bit in the dance.

 

Tristen and Stephani (Rumba): What a gorgeous dance….the technique, the chemistry, the connection….all of it is top notch and near perfection.

Mark: He loved the drama and partnership. They need a bit of technical work, but loves the storytelling.

Shirley: She agrees about the technique, but loved the connection.

Brandon: They showed up and it came through.

 

AJ and Selena (Jive): There is a lot of fun energy in the dance and it looks like they are having a blast. I also like how it is the only upbeat dance of the night.

Shirley: She thinks AJ did a repeat of his last dance but liked their partnership….and Selena did amazing.

Brandon: He liked the technique but wanted more showmanship.

Mark: It was too slow and there was not enough oomph.

 

Allen and Adele (Rumba): What a way to end the night. It not only is the best dance of the night, but it is also the most tear-jerking, heartwarming performance….I am in tears and know his mom is watching down and cheering for him. EVERYONE is crying.

Brandon: It is beautiful.

Mark: He would be happy to dance with her and next to him.

Shirley: She loved the storytelling and it was the best number of the night.

 

The couple in jeopardy is Nina and Benji, with Benji going home.