With Mariah Carey’s iconic hits setting the mood, the Season 35 contestants pulled out all the stops, delivering ambitious choreography, playful routines, and some of their highest scores yet. But as the judges handed out their scores and viewers cast their votes, the difference between ballroom success and audience popularity became impossible to ignore.
What began as a night of dazzling performances and familiar hits took an unexpected turn when one couple’s journey came to a sudden end. But the elimination wasn’t the only controversy, as another moment sparked boos from the audience and one routine sparked a surprising wave of support online.
Week 4 of “Dancing with the Stars” (“DWTS”) Season 35 brought excitement, impressive scores, and plenty of emotion as the remaining contestants took on an evening dedicated to one of music’s biggest stars.
While some celebrities reached new heights in the competition, others faced much tougher criticism. And by the time the results were announced, the judges’ leaderboard told a very different story from the final elimination.
Mariah Carey Night Brings Big Scores and Unexpected Twists
The October 6, 2026, episode of “DWTS” celebrated Grammy-winning Singer Mariah Carey, with the contestants performing routines inspired by some of her most recognizable songs. As The Hollywood Reporter detailed in its recap, the evening featured performances set to hits including “Emotions,” “Fantasy,” “Obsessed,” and “Touch My Body.”
Several couples impressed the judges early in the evening, with Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, and Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy each earning 24 out of 30 points.
Those scores marked personal season highs for Frech and Dewan, suggesting the competition was becoming increasingly fierce. However, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas soon raised the bar even further.
The pair performed a waltz to Carey’s “If It’s Over,” earning the first nine of the season from Judge Carrie Ann Inaba. Their final score of 25 out of 30 became the highest of Season 35 so far, putting them at the top of the leaderboard. Yet, as the night progressed, one energetic routine would become the subject of an entirely different conversation.
A Classroom-Themed Performance That Left Viewers Wanting More
Among the evening’s most memorable routines was a jazz performance by “Summer House” personality Ciara Miller and professional Dancer Brandon Armstrong. The pair took on Carey’s upbeat hit “Emotions,” transforming the ballroom into a classroom-inspired setting complete with school desks, chairs, and a teacher’s desk.
Dressed in coordinated burgundy, black, and white outfits, the dancers brought a playful, school-themed energy to the performance. Their jazz routine featured lively choreography, with sharp movements, synchronized steps, spins, impressive kicks, and lifts that kept the performance moving.
At one point, the pair used the classroom furniture as part of the choreography before coming together for a series of dynamic partnered movements. The performance was packed with personality, and Miller appeared confident as she moved across the dance floor with Armstrong.
The routine certainly had the energy to match its soundtrack. But when the scores arrived, the pair found themselves in the middle of the leaderboard. They received 21 out of 30 points, matching the scores earned by Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater, and Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa.
Several other couples finished the evening with lower judges’ scores. That detail would become particularly significant when the night’s final results were revealed.
Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong Are Eliminated
Despite their energetic performance, Miller and Armstrong were eliminated from the competition at the end of Mariah Carey Night. The result marked the second consecutive week that “DWTS” ended with a surprising departure, following Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart’s elimination during Yacht Rock Night.
For Miller and Armstrong, the outcome was especially disappointing considering their score placed them ahead of multiple competitors. However, the show’s eliminations are not determined by the judges’ scores alone.
Instead, the results combine the judges’ scores with audience votes, meaning a couple can receive a higher score than another pair and still be sent home. Viewers are allowed up to ten votes per couple through each voting method, including the ABC website and text messaging.
Voting takes place during the East Coast broadcast and closes shortly after the final performance, leaving West Coast viewers needing to cast their votes before seeing the episode air locally. Still, that explanation did little to ease the frustration of some viewers.
Viewers React to the Surprise Elimination: ‘They Were Robbed’
Following the elimination, frustrated fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with several arguing that Miller and Armstrong deserved to remain in the competition. One viewer reacted on Instagram, writing, “Ciara being eliminated over some of these men is giving what this country always gives.. Never beating the allegations.”
Another was even more direct, declaring, “They were ROBBED.😭😭😭,” while a third expressed frustration with the outcome, particularly given where the routine fell in the evening’s lineup: “this was literally perfect to start the night im so pissed [sic].”
The reactions highlighted how strongly some fans felt about the elimination, particularly because several dancers with lower judges’ scores remained in the competition. And Miller’s departure was only one of the evening’s major talking points.
Another celebrity found himself at the very bottom of the leaderboard, despite delivering an energetic routine that sparked a surprisingly heated exchange between a judge and the audience.
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson Take on a Challenging Samba
Elsewhere in the ballroom, “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” personality Guillermo Rodriguez and his professional partner Witney Carson brought a completely different kind of energy to Mariah Carey Night. The duo performed a samba to Carey’s hit “Obsessed,” choosing a playful, celebrity-inspired concept for their routine.
Their performance opened with a photoshoot-inspired scene, complete with photographers, flashing lights, and an atmosphere reminiscent of a Hollywood red carpet. Carson wore a shimmering silver outfit with white fringe and matching long gloves, while Rodriguez appeared in a sparkly white shirt, black pants, and suspenders.
Once they reached the dance floor, the pair launched into their choreography, incorporating samba movements, quick footwork, and playful interactions. Carson brought her signature precision and energy, while Rodriguez worked to keep up with the routine’s demanding pace. The performance was certainly entertaining, with the pair showing plenty of enthusiasm.
However, the judges weren’t entirely convinced by the execution. Rodriguez and Carson ultimately received 13 out of 30 points, placing them at the bottom of the Week 4 leaderboard. It was the lowest score of the evening, a significant gap from Higgins and Ballas’ leading 25 points.
And when Inaba began explaining her concerns about Rodriguez’s performance, the audience made its feelings known.Watch
Carrie Ann Inaba Gets Booed After Criticizing Rodriguez
In footage shared online, Inaba could be heard offering Rodriguez constructive criticism following his samba. “It felt like you were dimming a little of your light a little bit in this dance. I just want to point—” Before she could even finish her thought, loud boos erupted from the audience, interrupting her critique.
Inaba appeared to acknowledge the crowd’s reaction before responding: “This is what I get paid for, people.” The moment added another unexpected twist to the evening, as the audience’s reaction made it clear that Rodriguez had supporters in the ballroom despite his disappointing score.
And while the judges had reservations about his performance, Rodriguez and Carson had their own explanation for why the week had been particularly challenging.
Rodriguez Opens up About His Difficult Week: ‘I Totally Forgot All the Moves’
After the performance, Rodriguez and Carson spoke with Extra TV about the challenges they faced while preparing for the samba. Rodriguez began with his signature humor, joking about a possible reason for his progress. “I don’t know if it is the omega-3 or the fish oil that I’m taking, but it’s working.” However, he quickly admitted that the routine had been difficult to master.
“This week was very hard because, you know, somebody is fast, you know, it’s a fast dance,” he confessed. He also explained that their schedule had made rehearsals especially exhausting, as they had to travel back and forth to New York. “Yesterday I was so tired. I was very tired. I was like, I totally forgot all the moves and everything.”
Nevertheless, Rodriguez believed he was gradually improving. “But now that I’m done, it’s getting a little bit easy.” “I’m learning faster.” Carson then revealed that she had been surprised by how difficult rehearsals had become. “I think I said to you, ‘Dude, that was crazy. What happened?'” She even joked about his unusual struggles during practice, saying, “I’m like, did you have tequila today? What’s going on?”
But the professional dancer quickly clarified that alcohol had nothing to do with the situation. “But no, he has had no tequila. It was honestly just a rough week.” Despite the challenges, Carson praised Rodriguez for pulling himself together when it mattered: “But, you know, he stepped up to the plate today. It was so much better. It truly was the best we could do with this samba.”
She also acknowledged that the performance had not been their strongest: “And, you know, it might not have been his best dance, and that’s okay because we have another week to prove that we belong in this competition.” Carson also made it clear that the pair did not want to depend solely on audience popularity to advance through the competition.
“You know, it’s not enough just to ride off the fan votes, and we know that. So we really are working hard on the technique, and we’re trying to do the steps and everything,” she stated. Rodriguez echoed his partner’s determination, admitting that mastering the choreography did not always come naturally.
“Yeah, I’m working hard. You know what? I’m willing to do whatever it takes to learn the steps and everything,” he noted, adding, “Sometimes I might be slow. I’m an old guy.” He then humorously imitated Carson’s instructions during rehearsals: “So Witney’s like, ‘pick it up. Pick your feet. Move your feet. Fast, fast, quick, quick, slow, quick, quick, slow.’ You know, I’m trying to do my best.”
Carson jokingly interrupted with her own assessment of his pace: “And it ends up just being all slow.” Despite the disappointing score, Rodriguez remained positive about his progress. “And so far it’s working.”
Their lighthearted exchange offered viewers a glimpse into the effort behind the routine, as well as the supportive relationship the partners have developed.
Fans Rally Behind Rodriguez and Carson Despite Their Low Score
Although the judges placed Rodriguez and Carson at the bottom of the leaderboard, some viewers expressed considerable affection for the duo. Rather than focusing entirely on their technical shortcomings, fans praised Rodriguez’s personality, effort, and enthusiasm. One viewer commented on a TikTok video, “Pregnant Witney is not holding back I love ittttttt [sic].”
Another shared a particularly affectionate response to Rodriguez: “He’s such a pure soul 🥹.” A third viewer went further, penning, “I want him to win on principle he’s exactly what the show is supposed to be if he gets the votes then he deserves it [sic].”
The comments suggested that, for some fans, the competition is about more than delivering technically flawless dances. Rodriguez’s willingness to learn, combined with his humor and determination, appears to be winning over viewers even as he struggled with the judges’ expectations. And there was another remarkable detail about the partnership that made their appearance in Week 4 particularly noteworthy.
Witney Carson Is Making ‘DWTS’ History While Pregnant
Beyond the competition itself, Carson has been attracting attention for continuing to perform while expecting her third child. The professional dancer is making history as the first woman to compete on “DWTS” this far along in a pregnancy.
According to OK! Magazine, Carson previously admitted that the prospect of competing while pregnant was somewhat “daunting.” However, the dancer has continued rehearsing and performing alongside Rodriguez, with the pair developing a supportive partnership.
On October 4, Carson shared an Instagram update revealing that she was 20 weeks pregnant. She is expecting her third baby boy with her husband, Carson McAllister. The update also featured a lighthearted moment between Carson and Rodriguez as the dance partners bumped bellies.
While many viewers have celebrated the milestone, others have expressed concerns about the physical demands of performing and rehearsing during pregnancy. As Parade reported, Carson addressed those worries in a series of Instagram Stories following the September 29 Yacht Rock Night episode.
“Thank you to everyone who’s concerned about my health and the baby’s health while dancing,” she explained. “Dancing, I’ve done for a very long time, so I know how far to push my body, and the baby’s health has always been my number one priority.”
She also reassured viewers that she felt comfortable speaking up if rehearsals or performances became too physically demanding. “So I have no reserve when it comes to speaking up about physically overdoing it. I do not feel that way at all, and the show is more than willing to help out in any capacity.”
Still, Carson acknowledged that pregnancy had affected her energy levels but said she was taking time to recover between rehearsals. “So as of now, I feel really good. I’m more tired than usual, but when I’m not rehearsing, I’m resting.” She added that she was “doing all the things that my doctor has approved of, so you guys can rest easy.”
In text accompanying her video, she explained that she had been cleared to “continue as I normally would!” Her reassurance came as fans continued to praise both her dedication and Rodriguez’s support. According to Carson, her partner regularly brings her homemade lunches and encourages her to take breaks when necessary.
The pair’s bond has become an important part of their journey, particularly as Carson balances the competition with preparing for the arrival of her third son. And the encouraging responses have not come exclusively from fans. An obstetrician-gynecologist also voiced support beneath Carson’s Instagram post, writing, “Absolutely LOVE this duo & as an Ob/Gyn, I think it is fantastic that @witneycarson is dancing all through her pregnancy! Way to go!”
How the Remaining Contestants Scored in Week 4
With another elimination complete, the competition continues to narrow as the remaining celebrities prepare for their next performances. The full Mariah Carey Night leaderboard showed just how varied the judges’ evaluations were:
- Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas: 25/30
- Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach: 24/30
- Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson: 24/30
- Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy: 24/30
- Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov: 23/30
- Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong: 21/30 — Eliminated
- Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess: 21/30
- Jackson Olson and Emma Slater: 21/30
- Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa: 21/30
- Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik: 20/30
- Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold: 19/30
- Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson: 13/30
The results showed that although Higgins and Ballas led the competition in judges’ points, a strong score was not necessarily enough to guarantee safety. Similarly, Rodriguez and Carson’s last-place finish did not prevent them from advancing to another week.
Miller and Armstrong’s elimination, despite outscoring several remaining contestants, became one of the episode’s biggest surprises.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez and Carson continued their journey with the support of viewers who appear to value their determination and partnership as much as their performances.
With another unexpected departure, a judge facing boos, and an increasingly unpredictable leaderboard, Week 4 of “DWTS” proved that the ballroom’s biggest surprises don’t always happen during the dances themselves.
