‘DWTS’ Fans Debate Derek Hough’s Perfect Score for Contestant Who Had a Visible ‘Misstep’
A spellbinding Paso Doble, a haunting spider web, and a ballroom filled with fire — but behind the glitz, fury was brewing. As judges gushed and scores soared, viewers were already seething, convinced they'd just witnessed yet another case of blatant favoritism on national television.
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What began as a high-octane moment of triumph for Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas has now spiraled into a full-blown social media uproar — and fans are demanding answers.
A netizen's comment on the performance, dated November 5, 2025 | Source: Facebook/dancingwiththestars
The night began with fireworks as Leavitt and Ballas delivered a fierce Paso Doble set to Ozzy Osbourne's "No More Tears." Bathed in red light and cloaked in theatrical visuals, their dance transformed the floor into a darkly dramatic arena, complete with a spider web projection creeping beneath their feet.
Ballas embodied the matador while Leavitt became the cape — a pairing meant to symbolize power and tension. In rehearsals, Leavitt admitted she felt really proud after her dance marathon win the previous week and was determined to honor Osbourne's legacy.
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Ballas emphasized his goal of injecting classic Paso Doble elements to stand apart from the competition. And on the surface, it worked.
The ballroom erupted after the final pose. Derek Hough declared, "This ballroom is officially on fire! It rocked, it was classic, it was edgy... That was perfection."
Flavor Flav chimed in with, "The charisma was great, the moves — the timing was on point, you hear me? Great, great job. You did a lot that I wish that I could do." Bruno Tonioli called it "artistically exquisite," adding, "You just did it perfectly!"
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas are pictured onstage during their Paso Doble, dated November 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars
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But not everyone was dazzled. Carrie Ann Inaba delivered a measured critique, noting a few stumbles due to Whitney's intensity. Still, even her cautious note couldn't stop the scorecards from lighting up: three 10s and one 9 — a jaw-dropping 39 out of 40.
With the night's highest total score, Leavitt and Ballas claimed the top of the leaderboard — and a crucial edge heading into the next round.
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas are seen during their performance, dated November 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars
Host Alfonso Ribeiro confirmed the pair held the highest total cumulative of judges' points across the season, earning them immunity from upcoming relay dances. They also snagged two bonus points for next week — assuming they're still in the game.
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The glitter had barely settled when fans unleashed their fury online. One viewer fumed, "Carrie is the only one that [sic] was honest. She didn't deserve 10s." Another scoffed, "She could sit down the entire dance and Derek would still give them a 10….."
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas are seen performing onstage, dated November 4, 2025 | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars
The controversy centered around a subtle misstep at the end — a moment some claimed the judges ignored. "Didn't she misstep at the very end? Or am I seeing things?" one netizen asked. The replies were quick, with one saying, "[She] did and was off on timing." Another agreed, "she did they didn't deserve same score as Alix and Val [sic]."
What followed was a flood of accusations, with one netizen mocking the routine's theatrics. "Ozzy Osbourne and the spider queen. Seriously was anyone shocked Derek called this dance perfection? But awesome dance. Again Whitney the spider rock and roll queen [sic]."
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Despite the online heat, not everyone was sharpening pitchforks. Many praised the routine's drama, technique, and creativity. One supporter gushed, "That was one powerful dance especially in the Spider's web! Ozzy is looking down from above; he's in complete awe with the dance!" Another wrote simply, "The best dance." A third added, "This deserved all 10's!"
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Also hitting the ballroom with a Paso Doble punch were Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy. Their dance, set to Jon Bon Jovi's "Livin' on a Prayer," paid tribute to Earle's New Jersey roots — and came with a surprise twist.
Mid-rehearsal, Earle received a special video message from Jovi himself. "Thank you very much for dancing to 'Livin' on a Prayer.' Wishing you all the very best, we'll be watching!"
The crowd went wild — but even with the rockstar endorsement and a roaring routine, they too scored 39 out of 40. Equal points, yet unequal attention.
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The night closed with a gut-punch: Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov were eliminated, despite steady performances throughout the season. Their departure only intensified viewers' calls for greater accountability behind the judging table.
Leavitt and Ballas may have left the stage with glowing scores and glittering praise — but off-stage, the backlash is louder than ever. As the season heats up, one question refuses to go away: Was it brilliance — or blatant bias?
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