There are only 2 weeks of competition in Dancing With The Stars Season 35, and the ballroom is heating up. Just last week, one of the strongest dancers with high judges’ scores, Jenna Dewan, was eliminated from the show. Despite her skills and scores, the ballroom was rocked by Dewan’s exit, as low voting results seemed to seal her fate.
Now, the rest of the cast is said to be locked in after the shocking elimination. Sources tell The Sun that the general tone behind the scenes has shifted as each of the stars have only one more week to make it to the finale. The semi-finals will feature dances by Harry Shum Jr., Amber Glenn, Ezra Frech, Connor Wood, Maura Higgins, and Tatyana Ali, one of whom won’t make it to the finale.
Jenna Dewan’s DWTS Elimination Has Totally Changed The Vibe Of The Ballroom
Because of Dewan’s exit, everyone is reportedly on edge, and it truly is anyone’s game when it comes to hoisting the mirrorball trophy at the end of the season. “Jenna’s elimination has totally switched up the entire tone of the show. It’s completely shifted the competition,” a source revealed.
“Everyone on the cast thought ‘Jenna will win this.’ So now that she’s out, every contestant and pro left genuinely believe they have a chance of winning,” the informant continued. “It’s going to put a fire in everyone and you can expect the strongest, riskiest, and wildest performances next week.”
Jenna’s Dance Background May Have Worked Against Her
As previously reported, many fans spoke out about Dewan’s elimination on social media after the episode. Several theorized that the actress didn’t have the fan votes due to her dance background. She even got a video message from her former tourmate Janet Jackson after her final performance.
Last week, TV Dispatch reported that Connor Wood, Maura Higgins, and Tatyana Ali would need to have their best dances if they wanted to stay in the competition and all three of them brought their A games to the ballroom. Ali earned three 9’s from the judges, Wood got high praise, and Higgins fought through an injury to land high marks as well.
Their breakthrough performances may have been the thing that set them apart, and ultimately send Dewan home. Now, it truly does feel like anyone’s game. Out of the seven contestants left, Connor and Tatyana seem to be the most vulnerable, but anything can happen, especially when the fans turn out to vote for their favorites.
Will Harry Shum Jr. Be The Next To Go?
With Jenna Dewan out of the competition, Harry Shum Jr. has consistently earned some of the highest scores from the judges. His skills are undeniable, and his emotional story has resonated with many fans. However, could he face the same fate as Dewan if viewers decide his dance background makes him less deserving of the Mirrorball Trophy?
Much like Dewan, Shum Jr. has experience performing as a backup dancer and appearing in music videos. During his time on Glee, his character, Mike Chang, was known for his dancing abilities. In fact, Mike’s storyline often centered on his insecurity about singing, despite being one of the strongest dancers in the group.
That history makes Shum Jr. an interesting contestant in this particular competition. He’s not someone viewers are watching learn to dance for the first time. Instead, he’s bringing years of performance experience to the ballroom.
But there’s a potential downside to that advantage. When viewers watch a contestant with an established dance background, they may have different expectations than they do for someone who is learning everything from scratch. Dewan’s elimination has raised questions about whether technical ability alone is enough to carry someone through the competition.
Shum Jr. still has an opportunity to prove that his performances, personality, and connection with viewers can take him all the way to the finale.
Will An Underdog Take Home The Mirrorball Trophy?
In past seasons of Dancing With The Stars, clear frontrunners have emerged early in the competition. Sometimes, the eventual winner seemed almost inevitable by the time the finale arrived. However, the show has also produced some unexpected victories, and Bobby Bones remains one of the most memorable examples.
The radio host was partnered with Sharna Burgess in Season 27. Despite frequently receiving lower judges’ scores than some of his competitors, Bones made it all the way to the finale and ultimately won the Mirrorball Trophy.
Following his victory, Bones shared his thoughts on why he believed he had made it so far, revealing that DWTS is essentially a “popularity contest.” He suggested that personality, audience connection, and a contestant’s growth throughout the season can matter just as much as dancing ability, per TV Insider.
He also pointed to the show’s voting structure, which allows viewers to cast votes before every couple has performed. That means some fans may already have chosen their favorites before seeing that night’s routines.
It’s an interesting perspective to consider following Dewan’s elimination. If viewers are voting based on personality and their connection to the celebrities, a technically impressive performance might not be enough to guarantee another week in the ballroom.
And that could be good news for the remaining contestants who aren’t necessarily topping the judges’ leaderboard. With the finale approaching, an unexpected frontrunner could emerge just when everyone thinks they’ve figured out who has the best chance of winning.
The Dancing With The Stars Finale May Be Unpredictable
Jenna Dewan’s elimination has arguably changed the trajectory of Season 35. Before her departure, many viewers seemed to consider her a serious contender for the Mirrorball Trophy. Now, the remaining celebrities have a very different opportunity in front of them.
Harry Shum Jr. may have the dance experience and judges’ scores to make him a frontrunner, but his position isn’t necessarily guaranteed. Meanwhile, contestants like Connor Wood, Tatyana Ali, and Ezra Frech have an opportunity to capitalize on the unpredictability of the competition.
If there’s one thing previous seasons have demonstrated, it’s that Dancing With The Stars isn’t won on judges’ scores alone. Audience loyalty, personality, and the ability to connect with viewers can make all the difference.
And after watching one of the season’s strongest dancers leave just before the finale, nobody should assume they know who’s taking home the Mirrorball Trophy. Season 35 could still have one more surprise in store.
