Whitney Leavitt, a 28-year-old Utah influencer and star of Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars during its semifinals on Tuesday, November 19, 2025, despite earning a jaw-dropping 58 out of 60 points from the judges — the second-highest score of the night. Her performances — a flawless cha-cha to a 1999 hit and a haunting Viennese waltz to "Slow Love," each scoring 29/30 — drew raves from judges who called them "literal perfection." But when host Tyra Banks announced her exit live from the Los Angeles studio, fans erupted. Not because she danced poorly. But because she danced too well — and still lost.
Why Did the Judges Love Her, But Viewers Didn’t?
Leavitt and her partner, Mark Ballas, a 37-year-old DWTS veteran and choreographer from Los Angeles, had been consistent frontrunners. They led the judges’ leaderboard three times this season. Their technical precision, emotional expression, and chemistry were unmatched. Yet, they finished fourth in audience voting — the exact reason they were sent home. Dancing with the Stars uses a 50/50 split: half judges’ scores, half public votes. That system, long criticized for favoring charisma over skill, delivered another controversial outcome."They were the best dancers on the floor," said one viewer on X (formerly Twitter). "No freestyle. No finale. Just gone because people didn’t like her attitude. That’s not entertainment. That’s punishment."
The Backlash: Talent vs. Perception
Social media exploded. Hashtags like #SaveWhitney and #DWTSFixTheVoting trended globally. Hundreds of thousands of comments echoed the same sentiment: "This isn’t about dancing anymore." Fans pointed out that Leavitt’s choreography was more complex than any other contestant’s. Her lifts were cleaner. Her footwork, sharper. Even Zac Efron, whose brother Dylan was still in the competition, sent a video message backstage praising her artistry.But the backlash wasn’t just about voting. It was about perception. Leavitt’s return to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives in September 2025 was framed as a strategic move — not a passion project. In a candid moment on the show, she admitted she only agreed to return to filming because it gave her access to DWTS auditions. "It was the only reason," she said. "The rest of the cast had turned on me. I had to do this to feel seen again."
That admission stuck. Viewers didn’t forget. And they didn’t forgive. Some argued it made her seem opportunistic. Others said it revealed a deeper truth: reality TV doesn’t reward honesty — it rewards manufactured likability. "She danced like a pro," wrote one fan. "But she didn’t play the game. And in this show, the game is everything."
Who’s Left in the Finals?
The five couples advancing to the Dancing with the Stars finale on November 26, 2025, are:- Dylan Efron and Cheryl Burke
- Andy Richter and Rylee Arnold
- Alix Earle and Ezra Sosa
- Elaine Paige and Karim Zeroual
- Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold
Among them, Earle and Fisher have dominated audience voting. Richter, the 58-year-old comedian, has the emotional arc. Paige, the 76-year-old British icon, brings legacy. But none matched Leavitt’s technical mastery — which makes her elimination even more jarring.
What This Means for DWTS
This isn’t the first time DWTS has faced accusations of voting bias. In 2020, professional dancer Witney Carson — Leavitt’s former rival from Utah dance studios — was eliminated despite near-perfect scores. The pattern repeats: the most skilled often lose to the most relatable. But this time, the backlash is louder. Why? Because Leavitt’s talent was undeniable. Her scores weren’t flukes. Her dances weren’t lucky.Entertainment reporter David W. Shaw of Pajiba noted: "Leavitt didn’t just break the mold — she rewrote it. And the system couldn’t handle it."
Meanwhile, Sarah Taylor of the Deseret News added: "The show’s formula is broken. If you can score 58/60 and still go home, what’s the point? Viewers aren’t tuning in to watch a popularity contest. They’re tuning in to watch dancers."
Leavitt’s Response — And What’s Next
As cameras cut away from the stage, Leavitt wiped tears and hugged Ballas. "I already feel like a winner," she told the crowd. "This show has changed my life. I’ll forever be grateful." Her husband, Lane Leavitt, sat in the audience, holding their young daughter’s hand. No anger. Just pride.She’s already been invited to perform at the Utah Ballet’s annual gala in December. And rumors are swirling that she’s in talks with a Broadway producer for a dance-theater piece. Meanwhile, her social media following surged past 3 million overnight.
Maybe the show didn’t understand her. But the world did.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Whitney Leavitt eliminated despite scoring 58/60?
Whitney Leavitt was eliminated because Dancing with the Stars uses a 50/50 voting system: half judges’ scores, half public votes. Though she and Mark Ballas earned the second-highest judge score of the night, they ranked fourth in audience votes. Viewers reportedly penalized her for comments made on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, where she admitted returning to filming solely to audition for DWTS.
How does the DWTS scoring system work?
Each couple receives a score out of 30 from each of the three judges, totaling a maximum of 90 points. That score is then averaged and weighted at 50%. The other 50% comes from public votes, tallied via phone, app, and online platforms. The two scores are combined, and the couple with the lowest total is eliminated each week. This system has sparked controversy for years, especially when technically superior dancers are voted off.
Did Whitney Leavitt have professional dance training?
Yes. Leavitt graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, with a degree in dance. She trained for over a decade at elite studios, including competing against former DWTS pro Witney Carson. Her technical foundation was far stronger than most reality TV contestants — which is why judges consistently gave her perfect scores. Her background made her elimination even more surprising to dance professionals.
What role did her reality TV persona play in her elimination?
Her appearance on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives heavily influenced viewer perception. After admitting she returned to the show only to qualify for DWTS — and aligning herself with its season’s villain, Demi — many viewers saw her as calculating rather than authentic. While she never acted poorly on DWTS, her prior comments were widely circulated, damaging her likability factor — a crucial component in audience voting.
What’s next for Whitney Leavitt after DWTS?
Leavitt has received multiple offers for live performances, including a guest spot at the Utah Ballet’s December gala. Industry insiders confirm she’s in early talks with a Broadway producer for a dance-theater production blending contemporary and ballroom styles. Her social media following has grown to over 3 million since her elimination, and she’s reportedly working on a documentary about the intersection of reality TV and artistic integrity.
Will DWTS change its voting system after this controversy?
ABC has not announced any changes, but insiders say internal discussions are underway. Producers have privately acknowledged that the 50/50 split is increasingly out of step with viewer expectations. With Leavitt’s elimination sparking over 2 million tweets and a petition demanding reform with 150,000 signatures, pressure is mounting. A potential tweak could be weighting judges’ scores higher in semifinals and finals — but no official decision has been made yet.
