When Danielle Fishel stepped off the Dancing with the Stars stage on November 5, 2025, the crowd didn’t just cheer—they sighed. After 15 years of playing Topanga Lawrence on Boy Meets World and its sequel, Fishel had become one of the show’s most beloved contestants. But in the high-stakes world of competitive ballroom, sentiment doesn’t win trophies. Her elimination, following a 74/80 score on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night, marked the end of a heartfelt journey—and opened the door for a new front-runner: Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, who edged out the competition with 79/80 points after a tiebreaker.

Rock & Roll Night Delivers Power Chords and Surprise Judging

The eighth episode of Season 34, broadcast live from the Dancing with the Stars studio in Hollywood, California, was more than a themed night—it was a celebration of musical legacy. Each of the eight remaining couples danced to songs by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, from Def Leppard’s "Pour Some Sugar On Me" to Public Enemy’s "Fight The Power," the latter opening the show with a pulse-pounding fusion of rock and hip-hop. But the real twist? The addition of Flavor Flav (born William Jonathan Drayton Jr.) as guest judge. The 65-year-old hip-hop icon, known for his clock necklace and unfiltered commentary, brought a fresh energy to the panel. "I didn’t know ballroom had that much swagger," he said after Alix Earle and Valentin Chmerkovskiy nailed their freestyle. "But damn, that was fire."

Team Dances, Tiebreakers, and the Science of Scoring

The night’s structure was unique: each couple performed an individual routine followed by a team freestyle. The teams—Team Kool and Team Chicago—were divided by personality, not skill. Team Kool, featuring Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, Andy Richter, and Elaine Hendrix, earned a jaw-dropping 38/40 on their freestyle, with perfect 10s from both Derek Hough and Flavor Flav. Yet even that wasn’t enough to dethrone the leaders.

The leaderboard was tight. Leavitt and Ballas held the top spot at 79/80, tied with Earle and Chmerkovskiy. But here’s how the show breaks ties: cumulative scores across the season. Leavitt and Ballas had consistently ranked higher since Week 1, so they won the tiebreaker. That meant immunity from next week’s relay dances—and two bonus points added to their score. "It’s not just about tonight," said judge Carrie Ann Inaba in a backstage interview. "You’ve got to be consistent. You’ve got to surprise us. That’s the only way you survive this long."

Why Danielle Fishel’s Exit Hit Hard

Fishel’s journey was the emotional anchor of the season. At 43, she wasn’t the youngest, but she was one of the most dedicated. Her foxtrot to "Sweet Child O’ Mine" moved Inaba to tears. Her jazz routine to "Start Me Up" earned her the highest individual score of her run: 28/30. Yet in the freestyle, a misstep on a turn cost her precious points. Her final score of 74/80 wasn’t bad—it was just slightly behind Andy Richter and Emma Slater, who landed at 68/80. But the judges had to pick. And Fishel, despite her heart and hustle, came in last among the top seven.

"I gave everything," Fishel said in her farewell interview, voice cracking. "I didn’t just dance for the trophy. I danced for every kid who ever told me I wasn’t good enough to be on stage."

What’s Next? The Road to the Finals

With Fishel gone, seven couples remain. Next week’s episode, airing Tuesday, November 12, 2025, at 8:00 PM Eastern Time on ABC and Disney+, introduces relay dances—a high-speed, high-risk format where partners swap mid-routine. The pressure will be immense. Leavitt and Ballas have immunity, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. The competition is tightening. Jordan Chiles, the Olympic gymnast, is climbing fast with 78/80 points. Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach are quietly becoming fan favorites, despite their 76/80 score. And then there’s Robert Irwin, the Australian wildlife photographer who’s gone from awkward beginner to crowd favorite in eight weeks.

"It’s harder this season," said music director Ray Chew, who’s been behind the music since Season 16. "The dancers came out of the gate like they were already in the finals. So now? We’re not just watching improvement. We’re watching reinvention."

The Bigger Picture: Why This Season Feels Different

Season 34 has been a turning point. The cast includes more social media stars than ever—Alix Earle alone has 12 million TikTok followers. Yet the show’s magic still lies in the underdogs. Robert Irwin doesn’t have a reality TV contract. Whitney Leavitt was a country singer from a small town in Tennessee. And Danielle Fishel? She was just a girl who grew up watching this show and dreamed of dancing on it.

That’s why this season matters. It’s not just about who wins. It’s about who dared to try.