DWTS: The Viral Moments of TikTok Night

By Katherine Schreiner

Intro Dance: 

This opening format was very fun. There is a little bit of a cringe factor with some of the fake TikToks but overall it was a solid way to start the night. The opening number with Charli really proves why she is a winner. She is a performer, and it’s easy to see that her Broadway experience helped her improve on facials and star quality, which were two things she was already strong at. It was an easy dance, being the Apple by Charli XCX choreo, but it’s likely that will be a reoccurring theme throughout the night, which it ended up being, taking on trends like the whisk challenge and Savage.

Jen & Jan: She’s a Bad Mama-Jama, Cha-cha

Watching Jen dance is pure seratonine. Playing into her viral video was funny and the Love Island call out was great. Like Carrie Ann said, it is truly amazing how well she is doing this soon after giving birth. There are a few technical issues with her movements, but the star power that Jen contains keeps the performance entertaining. Jan and Jen have a special connection that really shows when they dance together.

Score: Derek: 6, Bruno: 6, Carrie Ann: 7

Do We Agree: No, thought all 7s would be more fitting with the technique issues.

Lauren & Brandon: Work From Home, Cha-cha

To start off, the opening and closing were so phenomally right on the dot. The construction site and her group members were so fun to see. Lauren is still a top performer in this competition and there is so much talent. There is a lack of pop in some moves like the judges said. If she had the same pop as Jen did, this dance would have been one of the top scorers of the night.

Score: Derek: 6, Bruno: 6, Carrie Ann: 6

Do We Agree: No, thought a 7 (or two) was deserved

Danielle & Pasha: Manchild, Foxtrot

Danielle getting a Sabrina Carpenter song just made so much sense. This is the best Danielle has looked so far and it is clear Danielle is taking the notes she gets and grows from it. She will be making it far in this conversation if Pasha and Danielle keep this work ethic. She flowed so nicely across the floor and every note she got was a completely valid note.

Score: Derek: 7, Bruno: 7, Carrie Ann: 7

Do We Agree: Well earned, yes this was deserved

Jordan & Ezra: Anxiety, Tango

Jordan opening up about her anxiety struggles helped push the theme Ezra gave to this dance. Calling it now, Joradn is going to the Final Four of this season. Even with a dance in frame, Jordan came through and was able to really sell not just the tango technique, but the story. Ezra is never going to get another comment again about his ability to choreograph.

Score: Derek: 8, Bruno: 8, Carrie Ann: 8

Do We Agree: Absolutely, there is no question about it

Dylan & Daniella: Yukon, Foxtrot

Another big improvement since week one. In comparison to Jordan though, this performance was very boring. Dylan definitely does better with slow dances, but Dylan needs to work on the big explosive dances. Technique wise, Daniella has taught him well and hopefully he continues improving.

Score: Derek: 8, Bruno: 8, Carrie Ann: 7

Do We Agree: Kind of, was expecting only one 8 for this performance

Elaine & Alan: Gnarly, Tango

What a crazy song to have Elaine do this week, but going off the beaten path might be what made her performance so fun. Obsessed can only barely describe feeling for this dance. Elaine has been a star in every dance she’s done so far. Alan is such a great pro, and it is clear between last season with Ilona and this season with Elaine. While her shoulders might not have been strong, her performance was phenomal. (Side note: Carrie Ann, what was that?)

Score: Derek: 7, Bruno: 7, Carrie Ann: 7

Do We Agree: Yes, valid scores

Whitney & Mark: Shake Ya Ass, Samba

Okayyyy, the hype around Whitney is real. To start off, the little TikTok live moment was so fun. Whitney can both throw it back and can really dance the samba. It was clear from her TikToks before the season that she had the passion and energy for the show, but this week really proved that Whitney is incredibly talented.

Score: Derek: 8, Bruno: 8, Carrie Ann: 8

Do We Agree: Yes, clearly

Scott & Rylee: Like JENNY, Jazz

Scott has found his element. He was given a song and background that he loved. Scott is getting more in his element on the floor. This issue with this performance is not how Scott did, but Rylee’s performance. Because she’s so strong, she outperforms her partners and it can keep the focus off the celebrity. Overall, still extremely strong.

Score: Derek: 7, Bruno: 7, Carrie Ann: 8

Do We Agree: Meh, sure

Hilaria & Gleb: Shake it to the Max, Samba

It's so difficult to enjoy her dancing with how controversial she is. This is her weakest dance out of the three dances she has done so far, but obviously the judges don’t agree. Not even worth any more comments.

Score: Derek: 8, Bruno: 7, Carrie Ann: 7

Do We Agree: Sadly, extremely sadly, yes

Andy & Emma: Northern Attitude, Foxtrot

Andy may not be the best dancer, but he has the audience's hearts. He came into tonight expecting to go home it seems, but this dance was so fun and it was more full of dance content. America loves Andy and hopefully this gets him through another week.

Score: Derek: 6, Bruno: 6, Carrie Ann: 6

Do We Agree: He deserves all 10s but this will suffice

Robert & Witney: Million Dollar Baby, Salsa

To start off, why is there an crocodile here? Just kidding, it’s an Irwin, we were expecting this. Second, how Robert Irwin got hotter than he already was is a mystery. We will be actively searching for those American girlfriend applications after tonights dance. Onto the actual dance, Robert keeps getting better and better, when he started out extremely strong. Salsa is one of the harder dance styles featured on the show and Robert smashed it. Witney is truly one of the strongest pros in DWTS history and these are one of our finalists for sure.

Score: Derek: 7, Bruno: 7, Carrie Ann: 8

Do We Agree: Nahhh, give that man his 8s

Alix & Val: Pop Muzik, Quickstep

This was the best meld of TikTok and ballroom of the night. Molly Long’s choreography is known because it is difficult and Alix and Val both killed it. This was a great quickstep and Alix keeps proving how clean and powerful of a dancer she is. Another top contender in this competition, Alix has proven to be more than just the TikTok queen they keep calling her.

Score: Derek: 7, Bruno: 8, Carrie Ann: 8

Do We Agree: Once again, give that girl her 8s!

Night 3 Elimination:

This one hurt majorly. Lauren was a strong contender and Brandon is such an amazing choreographer. You can tell just how shocked and sad everyone is and Lauren should not have gone home tonight.