Under the dazzling lights of the ballroom, Week 4 of Dancing with the Stars brought the magic of Disney to life. Each celebrity stepped onto the floor channeling beloved characters and iconic songs, filling the night with color, nostalgia, and excitement. From sparkling costumes to creative choreography, the energy was infectious as the stars danced their hearts out in hopes of earning a spot at the top of the leaderboard. With competition fiercer than ever, Disney Night reminded everyone why Dancing with the Stars continues to capture the joy and imagination of audiences everywhere.
The show opened with a remarkable group number set to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast, choreographed by Emmy-winning choreographer Mandy Moore. The performance featured all of the professional dancers and troupe members, filling the ballroom with energy, color, and classic Disney charm. It also included a special appearance by Danny Gardner, who currently stars as Lumière in the North American tour of Beauty and the Beast.
One of the biggest highlights came from Mark Ballas and Whitney Leavitt, whose theatrical foxtrot to “The Room Where It Happens” from Hamilton earned high praise from the judges and had the audience cheering from the very first beat. They scored a 25 out of 30—receiving a 9 from judge Carrie Ann Inaba and two 8s from judges Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
Another standout was Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, who performed a graceful Viennese waltz to “Once Upon a Dream” from Maleficent. Their chemistry and elegant storytelling captivated the crowd, earning them a score of 24 out of 30 with 8s across the board. Many viewers called it the best dance of the season, arguing that the pair deserved 9s for their performance, according to Entertainment Now.
“That was so empowering. This is so different for me, but it was so fun—I had the best time,” Earle said.
Other notable performances included Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten, who delivered a spirited quickstep inspired by the ride Space Mountain. Alan’s bold makeup—complete with silver accents and galactic details—perfectly matched the futuristic theme and quickly became a fan favorite. The quickstep was also performed by Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles and pro Ezra Sosa. They danced to “Special Spice” from Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, blending Jordan’s athleticism with elegant technique to earn strong feedback from the judges. Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik danced a jazz routine to “Friend Like Me” from Aladdin, bringing playful energy and theatrical flair to the ballroom. However, judge Carrie Ann Inaba wasn’t impressed with the routine, which led to some harsh reactions from fans online.
“I just didn’t love this routine. There was just something kind of … goofy about it,” Inaba said.
Daniella Karagach showcased her amazing teaching ability as she performed a quickstep with Dylan Efron to “Life Is a Highway” from Cars, earning a score of 23 out of 30. Despite the score being lower than other dances, it is clear that Efron is improving each week. Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov brought high-energy fun to the ballroom with a quickstep to “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)” from The Jungle Book. Danielle’s playful space buns and spirited moves highlighted her love for Disney, even though Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba noted a few rhythm issues. Fans still praised the performance, saying she’s on the verge of a breakout week. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson performed a cha-cha to “Try Everything” from Zootopia, bringing their usual charm but falling short of the high bar they set in Week 1. While their routine had energy and fun, the judges noted that Robert needed to loosen up.
Rylee Arnold and Scott Hoying brought a dose of nostalgia through their upbeat salsa to “Bop to the Top” from High School Musical. Their performance was full of fun energy and colorful choreography; they even continued the role of Sharpay and Ryan during their interview. Meanwhile, Andy Richter and Emma Slater performed a lighthearted Viennese Waltz inspired by Ratatouille. While Andy’s technique wasn’t the strongest of the night, his personality kept the audience voting for him. With consistently low scores, it is evident that his fanbase is what’s getting him through the competition.
Hilaria Baldwin and her partner Gleb Savchenko danced a quickstep to “Cantina Band” from Star Wars that earned a 23 out of 30 from the judges. Their performance was applauded by Inaba and Tonioli for its energy and execution, but Hough criticized it for not including enough traditional quickstep elements. Even though their dance had strong energy and timing, they still ended up in the bottom three and were sent home. Many fans were surprised because their score was higher than some couples who stayed. Viewers were shocked by Baldwin’s elimination, viewing the competition as a popularity contest rather than being based on skill, according to Deadline. This shows that while a dance may be judged better, engagement with fans is just as important.
In the leadup to Week 5, excitement is building as only six episodes remain in the season. This week’s performances brought a perfect blend of emotion, energy, and joy, highlighting all the different branches of Disney magic. The stage came alive, giving viewers a chance to relive the stories and feelings from the movies they grew up with—but through the power of dance. Each performance revealed a new perspective, showing how movement and music can transform classic moments into something fresh and deeply personal. As the competition heats up, it’s clear that success on Dancing With the Stars takes more than just talent—it requires courage, strategy, chemistry, and a loyal fan base. Unfortunately, Hilaria and Gleb struggled to display those qualities this week and were eliminated, a decision that sparked debate among fans, many of whom had mixed feelings about Hilaria’s time on the show. With ten pairs still in the running, all eyes are on who can maintain their momentum and dance their way to the finale.
