Blondes in the Ballroom

Welcome back to Blondes in the Ballroom! This week, the sisters break down Halloween's Horror Night on Dancing with the Stars. Guest judge Shirley Ballas intimidates the ballroom, and a double elimination ends two journeys.In this episode:

• The spooky judges' prank-call opening, Coach Jackie's cameo with Derek, and the very short opening number
• Shirley Ballas's technical critiques, and whether judges should score contemporary and Latin dances the same way
• Julia and Ezra's tough Argentine tango, and the 4 that stunned the skybox
• Harry and Jenna's Saw-inspired dance, which earned the season's first perfect score
• Connor and Riley's Annabelle Creation routine, which got two 10s, plus the viral Jennifer Lawrence smoothie moment
• Ezra's jazz routine while dealing with a stump blister, Jackson's Joker number, Tyler's Dracula waltz, Amber's Black Swan tango and Mora and Mark's Lost Boys dance
• Who went home, the combined top five, and our picks for the mirror ball

Next week is Disney Night, with Cynthia Erivo as guest judge. It airs Monday instead of Tuesday.Follow us on TikTok at Blondes Quad Pod and on Spotify at Blondes in the Ballroom.

The ballroom got PERSONAL! 💖🪩 It’s Dedication Night on Dancing with the Stars Season 35, and we’re talking all about the dances, the heartfelt dedications, and the moments that had us feeling ALL the feelings.

From emotional performances to the couples making their mark on the competition, we’re breaking down our favorite dances, sharing our hottest takes, and discussing who’s rising to the top of the leaderboard. Which dedications hit us right in the feels? Which performances stole the show? And which couples are starting to separate themselves from the pack?

We’re talking about all of it, so grab your favorite beverage and join the Blondes for another week of ballroom opinions, big emotions, and DWTS chaos! 💃✨

Super Bowl Night hit the DWTS ballroom, and one fan-favorite couple took their last bow. We break down every halftime-inspired routine from Week 5, from the highest scores to the biggest fumbles.

Guest judge Joe Buck joined Carrie Ann, Derek, and Bruno, and NFL legends Emmitt Smith, Donald Driver, DeMarcus Ware, and Danny Amendola stopped by the ballroom. Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy tied with Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach for the top spot at 36 out of 40. Amber Glenn followed with a 34, and Maura Higgins, Julia Stiles, and Harry Shum Jr. each landed a 33. At the bottom, Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson were eliminated after a 22 for their salsa to "Tití Me Preguntó."

Did the judges get it right? Who was your MVP of the night? Tell us in the comments, and don't forget to follow so you never miss a recap.

The competition is HEATING UP! 💃✨

Blondes in the Ballroom is breaking down all the drama from Week 4: Mariah Carey Night! We’re talking the tough competition, the performances that had us completely obsessed, the couples who are starting to separate themselves from the pack, and one shocking elimination that we definitely weren’t ready for.

Plus, we’re sharing our favorite performances of the night and debating who has what it takes to make it all the way to the finale.

Grab your glitter and hit play because this ballroom is getting VERY competitive. 🎤💫

It’s Yacht Rock Night on Dancing with the Stars! In this week’s episode of Blondes in the Ballroom, we’re recapping DWTS Season 35, Episode 3, from the biggest surprises and standout performances to the scores, costumes, chemistry, and moments that had us talking.

Who sailed to the top of the leaderboard, who left us wanting more, and which performances had us questioning the judges? We’re breaking down all the dances, scores, drama, and everything else that went down on Yacht Rock Night.

Grab your Diet Coke and come sail away with us as we recap Week 3 of Dancing with the Stars Season 35!

Viral Hits Night brought some major moments to the Dancing with the Stars ballroom! In this DWTS Season 35 Episode 3 recap, we’re breaking down all 14 performances, the judges’ scores and reactions, the biggest standouts, and the night’s elimination.

Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy, Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach, and Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov all finished at the top of the leaderboard with 21/30. Amber and Pasha’s tango to “All the Things She Said” earned major praise from the judges, while Ezra and Daniella brought the energy with their cha-cha to Flo Rida’s “Low.” Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik, Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson, and Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong also made an impression during a packed night of Viral Hits.

We’re also talking about the performances that struggled, including Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold’s tango, Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa’s tango, and the night’s lowest-scoring couples. Plus, Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten faced tough critiques for their salsa to “Bella Ciao” and ultimately became the second couple eliminated from Season 35.

Who were the biggest standouts of Viral Hits Night? Which performances deserved higher scores? And what are we learning about the Season 35 contenders after three episodes?

Tune in for our full Dancing with the Stars recap covering DWTS Season 35, Episode 3, Viral Hits Night, the leaderboard, judges’ scores, performances, and elimination results.

#DancingWithTheStars #DWTS #DWTSSeason35 #DWTSRecap #ViralHitsNight #DancingWithTheStarsRecap

The ballroom is BACK! 🪩💃 We’re recapping both nights of the Season 35 premiere, breaking down all 16 couples, their first dances, scores, standout moments, and the first two eliminations of the season.

We’re talking Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson’s early statement, Maura Higgins coming out swinging, Ezra Frech showing some serious potential, and whether the couples we expected to go home actually gave us any reason to change our minds.

Plus, we’re revealing our early favorites, biggest surprises, who has something to prove, and our first impressions of this season’s cast.

Two premiere nights down... and the race for the Mirrorball is officially ON. ✨🪩

The first-ever Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro has officially crowned its winner! In our finale recap, we’re breaking down everything from the final three — Adele Zaikman, AJ Pritchard, and Selena Hamilton — taking the ballroom for one last shot at becoming the newest DWTS pro.

We’re talking Adele and Nev Schulman’s samba and freestyle, AJ and Charli D’Amelio’s Viennese waltz and freestyle, and Selena and Adam Rippon’s jive and freestyle. Plus, we’re getting into the performances, choreography, judging from Mark Ballas, Shirley Ballas, and guest judge Derek Hough, and whether we agreed with the judges’ critiques.

And, of course, we’re breaking down Adele Zaikman being crowned the first-ever Next Pro and officially earning her spot in the Dancing with the Stars Season 35 cast. Was she the right choice? What about AJ and Selena? And what did we think of the finale format, the celebrity pairings, and the decision to bring the competition to a live audience?

We’re also looking back at the entire first season of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro — the biggest surprises, standout dancers, eliminations, teaching challenges, wow moments, and our overall thoughts on whether the new DWTS spinoff delivered.

The semifinals are here, and suddenly the ballroom feels VERY familiar. 👀

On this week’s episode of Blondes in the Ballroom, we’re recapping Episode 7 of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, where the final four teamed up with some of our favorite current DWTS pros for two semifinal rounds. Rylee Arnold, Gleb Savchenko, Jan Ravnik, and Witney Carson stepped onto the floor, and honestly, watching these contestants dance alongside the pros was half the fun.

But then came the elimination… and we were NOT prepared. One of the competition’s standout dancers and emotional favorites was sent home just before the finale, leaving us with plenty to discuss. Was it the right call? Did the performances deserve the scores they received? And are we ready to say goodbye?!

We’re breaking down the best partnerships, the performances that gave us chills, the moments that had us questioning the judges, and the elimination that left us staring at the TV in disbelief.

Plus, we’re looking ahead to the finale and asking the biggest question of all: Who has what it takes to become the next DWTS pro? 💃🏼✨

This week on Blondes in the Ballroom, we’re recapping Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro Episode 6, aka the episode where the pros officially became teachers.

The final five — Adele Zaikman, AJ Pritchard, Allen Genkin, Nina Mayster, and Selena Hamilton — are paired with Dancing with the Stars superfans and social media influencers who have little to no ballroom experience. With just two days to teach, choreograph, and perform, the aspiring DWTS pros have to prove they can do more than dance — they have to show they can actually coach a partner.

We’re breaking down all five partnerships, the Witney Carson coaching challenge, the dances, the judging, the rehearsal-room chaos, our favorite moments, and the performances that had us asking: who actually has what it takes to become the next Dancing with the Stars pro?

And, of course, we’re talking about Nina Mayster’s elimination and the four dancers who officially made it to the Final Four.

Who passed the Ballroom University final? Who needs to retake Dance 101? And who are we starting to picture in the Dancing with the Stars Season 35 lineup? We have thoughts.

Episode Description

What makes a Dancing with the Stars moment go viral? ✨

In Episode 5 of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, the couples team up with Daniella to create a brand-new “wow moment” in a contemporary routine. And, naturally, we have THOUGHTS.

This week on Blondes in the Ballroom, we’re breaking down the moments that gave us actual chills, the performances that had us questioning everything, and the moments that made us wonder just how much of this show is really left to chance. 👀

Which routines delivered the kind of magic DWTS lives for? Which “wow moments” actually wowed us? And did the show feel a little too perfectly engineered this week?

Grab your sequins and your tinfoil hat. We’re recapping it all.

This week on Blondes in the Ballroom, we're breaking down one of the messiest episodes of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro yet! Jenna Johnson challenged the remaining dancers to prove they had chemistry, but for some couples, the sparks never showed up. Instead, we got awkward partner selections, bruised egos, tears in rehearsal, and enough pettiness to fuel the entire ballroom.

We dive into Erik Linder and Selena Hamilton's jaw-dropping Argentine tango, which earned the show's first standing ovation thanks to their undeniable chemistry. We also discuss why Tristen and Stephanie's partnership seemed doomed from the start, the tension that everyone could feel on the dance floor, and whether the judges got it right.

Finally, we unpack the shocking elimination of Tristen and Stephanie, plus Allen Genkin and Nina Mayster, and debate whether the right dancers went home. From the standout performances to the behind-the-scenes drama, we're recapping all the chemistry, chaos, and controversial moments from Episode 4!

In Episode 3 of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, the dancers took on Team and Group Dances, giving us incredible choreography, standout performances, and plenty to debate. We're breaking down our favorite routines, sharing our hottest takes, and discussing which contestants rose to the occasion... and who may have missed the mark.

Of course, we also have to talk about the night's scariest moment: the unexpected fall that brought an ambulance to the ballroom. We unpack what happened, how it affected the competition, and everything else you didn't see coming.

Whether you're Team ______, already making finale predictions, or just here for the ballroom chaos, we've got you covered. Grab your paddle, pour your favorite drink, and join us for another week of Blondes in the Ballroom! 💖

Week 2 of Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro brought the emotion — and the drama. With 10 dancers left, guest judge Brandon Armstrong stepped in alongside Shirley and Mark Ballas to challenge the cast with a storytelling theme, pairing each contestant up male/female and pushing them to dance from the heart.

We break down the standout moments: Brandon's deeply personal routine about his own adoption story, Natalie and Erik's Viennese waltz to "Hold My Hand" that had the judges swooning, and the tension between Benji and Nina as their creative differences boiled over backstage before they patched things up.

Of course, we can't skip the elimination — Benji Castro was sent home, narrowing the field to nine dancers with a spot on Season 35 still up for grabs. We're talking frontrunners (hello, Adele Zaikman and Selena Hamilton), who's fighting for a redemption arc after last week's near-miss, and what this all means heading into next week.

Grab your dance shoes and settle in — it's time to recap the storytelling week that had us all a little emotional.

I don't know your podcast's name or your usual tone (snarky recap? earnest fan talk? two-host banter?), so I kept this fairly neutral — happy to punch it up, shorten it for show notes, or match a specific voice if you tell me more about the show's vibe.

Uncover the secret ingredients behind Dancing with the Stars’ newest season — and why this show's evolution could redefine what it means to be a pro dancer.

The premiere of The Next Pro exposes what it truly takes to earn a spot among the elite in the ballroom world. From behind-the-scenes rehearsals and surprising judging insights to the social dynamics of competing in a high-stakes reality show, this episode reveals the real story behind the glitz and glamour.

You’ll discover how judges evaluate technique versus personality, the importance of experience in creating a lasting dance career, and the nuanced challenges contestants face while balancing competition, camaraderie, and personal growth.

We break down standout performances, unexpected critiques, and the subtle ways the producers hint at who might not make the cut.If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to step onto that dance floor under the bright lights, or if you’re a DWTS superfan eager for fresh insights into your favorite pros and contestants, this episode is essential.

We explore the broader questions too — can a show that centers so heavily on technique and personality keep evolving without losing its authenticity? And what does the future hold for dance-based reality competitions?

Join us as we pull back the curtain on this summer’s biggest dance showdown. Perfect for fans craving insider details, dance enthusiasts, and anyone inspired by stories of perseverance and passion. Whether you're a seasoned ballroom fan or just curious about the industry’s behind-the-scenes, you'll walk away with new perspectives — and maybe even some potential pros of your own. Tune in now to catch how a new wave of dancers might just reframe what it means to be a star in the dance universe.

Most dancing fans underestimate what it really takes to become a professional on Dancing with the Stars. In this episode, Kayla and Kelsey pull back the curtain on the new spin-off show, The Next Pro, revealing the unseen skills, gritty competitions, and strategic moves that decide who will join the pros on next season’s iconic stage. If you think it’s just about dance technique, think again—hosted by reigning champion Robert Irwin, this competition is about more than just steps; it’s a test of teaching, social media savvy, camera presence, and personality.

You'll discover:

• The surprising qualities judges like Shirley Ballas and Mark Ballas actually look for beyond dance moves.
• How social media and teaching skills can make or break a dancer’s shot at becoming a pro.
• The unique backgrounds of twelve fierce contenders, from ballroom champions to versatile performers—each with a different recipe for success.
• Why this behind-the-scenes look could change what you think it takes to make it on the biggest dance show on TV.
• And the stakes for these ambitious dancers as they fight for a coveted spot that could launch their entire career.

This episode is perfect for fans of Dancing with the Stars, dance enthusiasts craving the inside scoop, and anyone curious about what it really takes to turn talent into a pro. With exclusive insights into the judges’ perspective, standout cast reveals, and the drama brewing behind the glitter and glam, you won't want to miss this deep dive into the future of professional dance on TV. Are these dancers destined for the spotlight, or are they just starstruck amateurs? Join us as we analyze the competition, share hot takes, and keep you on the edge of your seat for the latest on The Next Pro. Follow us for updates and more dance drama on TikTok @BlondesquadPod and keep the conversation going on Spotify and Apple Podcasts—your front-row seat to the next generation of Dancing with the Stars pros.

The Season 34 Dancing with the Stars finale has officially hit the ballroom, and we’re breaking down every stunning routine, shocking score, emotional moment, and that all-important Mirrorball winner. Join the Blondes as we recap the performances, celebrate standout stars, and wrap up another unforgettable season of sparkle, sequins, and surprises.

In this week’s episode, we’re recapping everything that went down on Dancing With the Stars: Prince Night, and it was a full-on purple takeover. From Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten opening the night with a smooth foxtrot before delivering a fierce, perfect-score paso doble, to Alix Earle’s emotional Viennese Waltz to “Purple Rain,” the ballroom was packed with standout moments. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson dominated the leaderboard with a flawless jive and a nearly perfect waltz, while Dylan Efron, Jordan Chiles, and Whitney Leavitt each delivered strong, high-energy performances of their own. But the biggest shocker? Despite scoring near the top, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas were eliminated, leaving fans stunned and the ballroom buzzing. We break down every dance, every score, and all the drama from one of the most iconic nights of the season.

It’s a ballroom birthday bash! This week on Blondes in the Ballroom, we’re recapping Dancing with the Stars Season 34’s 20th Birthday Party episode — and the stars brought more than just cake and candles. We’re breaking down every glitter-filled routine, emotional moment, and jaw-dropping lift from this milestone celebration. Who gave us the perfect party performance, and who left us wishing for a redo? Grab your party hat (and maybe a mirrorball cupcake) — it’s time to relive the night the ballroom turned 20!

In this week’s episode of Blondes in the Ballroom, we break down everything that went down on Dancing with the Stars Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night! From electric performances and fiery paso dobles to shocking scores and one emotional elimination, we’re covering all the highlights. We’ll chat about standout routines, the team dances that rocked the ballroom, and how the leaderboard shook out by the end of the night. Tune in for fun commentary, predictions for next week, and all the behind-the-scenes DWTS drama you might have missed. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just catching up, this Dancing with the Stars Week 8 recap is your go-to for all things sparkle, rhythm, and rock-and-roll energy!