Last night’s episode of “Dancing with the Stars” was Oscars Night, filled with glamorous performances and high stakes as celebrity contestants danced to iconic movie soundtracks. While Olympic medalist Ilona Maher delivered a memorable “Dirty Dancing” inspired routine, the evening culminated in a dramatic double elimination that sent two stars home, leaving fans stunned. The question on everyone’s mind this morning is: Who Was Eliminated Last Night On Dancing With The Stars?
Melina Khan USA TODAY NETWORK – New England
Emmys: Olympians Ilona Maher, Stephen Nedoroscik talk ‘DWTS,’ more
U.S. Olympians Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik chat with USA TODAY’s Ralphie Aversa at the Emmys about their lives after the Paris games.
For her Oscars Night performance, Ilona Maher, the Olympic rugby star, teamed up with her partner Alan Bersten to perform a salsa inspired by the classic film “Dirty Dancing.” Bersten described salsa as “a fun, energetic, playful dance,” perfectly suited for Maher to showcase her vibrant personality and confidence. They danced to the iconic “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” aiming to recreate the movie’s magic with their own unique twist on the famous lift.
Ilona Maher’s ‘Dirty Dancing’ Salsa and Groundbreaking Lift
Maher and Bersten didn’t just replicate the iconic lift from “Dirty Dancing”; they innovated it. In a move that had the audience and judges roaring, their routine featured not one, but two lifts. Staying true to the original movie scene, Bersten lifted Maher, but in a surprising turn, Maher also lifted Bersten. This role reversal brought a fresh and empowering perspective to the dance, perfectly aligning with Maher’s known advocacy for body positivity and female strength.
“Everyone online has been saying that they want me to lift Alan, and I think he was like, ‘Let’s do it,'” Maher explained after their performance, highlighting the fan demand that fueled their creative decision. While lifts are part of her rugby background, Maher admitted that being lifted herself was “tough but very fun,” requiring trust in Bersten for the daring move.
The judges were thoroughly impressed. Carrie Ann Inaba lauded their performance, stating, “Not only was that a moment people will be talking about for years to come, but you are restructuring the whole conversation, you are leading this conversation on what femininity is.” The judges acknowledged the creativity and impact of their routine, recognizing its potential to redefine perceptions of dance and gender roles.
Ilona Maher’s Score and Overall Ranking
Despite the judges’ enthusiastic praise and the groundbreaking lift, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten received a score of 21 out of 30 for their salsa. Each judge awarded them a seven. Combined with their scores from the first week, Maher’s total reached 39 out of 60, placing them seventh overall among the competing couples. While a solid score, it positioned them in the middle of the pack, far from guaranteed safety from elimination.
Double Elimination Shocks ‘Dancing with the Stars’
Last night’s “Dancing with the Stars” episode delivered a dramatic twist with a double elimination. In a results announcement that surprised many viewers, former socialite Anna Delvey and actress Tori Spelling were eliminated from the competition.
The double elimination was determined by a combination of judges’ scores from the first two weeks of competition and, crucially, viewer votes. This format emphasizes both performance quality and audience popularity, meaning that even positive judge feedback isn’t enough to guarantee survival if viewer votes are lacking. For Anna Delvey and Tori Spelling, the combination of scores and votes resulted in their departure from the show.
How to Watch ‘Dancing with the Stars’
For fans eager to keep up with the remaining contestants, “Dancing with the Stars” airs live on Tuesday nights on ABC and Disney+. Episodes are also available for streaming the next day on Hulu. Mark your calendars because there will be no new episode next week. Instead, fans will be treated to a double dose of “Dancing with the Stars” the following week, with episodes airing on Monday, October 7th, and Tuesday, October 8th, both at 8 p.m. EST.
Who is Ilona Maher?
Ilona Maher is more than just a “Dancing with the Stars” contestant; she is an accomplished professional rugby sevens player and a 2024 Olympic bronze medalist representing the United States. Hailing from Burlington, Vermont, she also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Beyond her athletic achievements, Maher is widely recognized for her online presence, where she champions body positivity and empowerment, connecting with over six million followers across platforms like Instagram and TikTok. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, where she played rugby and studied nursing, Ilona Maher brings a unique blend of athleticism, charisma, and inspiring message to “Dancing with the Stars.” Her journey on the show continues as she aims to dance her way to the top, hoping to avoid being the next star eliminated.
