‘Dancing With the Stars’: Who Left the Show During Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night

Viewers were left stunned and seething after a jaw-dropping elimination rocked "Dancing With the Stars" on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night. Fans didn't hold back, flooding social media with fury and disbelief over what many blasted as blatantly unfair judging.

In a twist no one saw coming, beloved "Boy Meets World" star Danielle Fishel and her professional partner Pasha Pashkov became the seventh couple eliminated from season 34 of "Dancing With the Stars" during the Nov. 4 episode.

Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov seen in a post dated, November 5, 2025 | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars

Their emotional, contemporary routine set to Aerosmith's "Dream On" scored a respectable 34 points from the judges, but it wasn't enough. Viewer votes failed to pull them through, sending them packing in a shock elimination that sent ripples across the fandom.

Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov perform on the "Dancing with the Stars" stage, dated, November 5, 2025 | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars

The judges were split in their feedback on Fishel's performance. "I felt the chills," Carrie Ann Inaba told her, clearly moved.

Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov perform onstage, seen in a post dated, November 5, 2025 | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars

But Derek Hough had a different take, calling it "a little disjointed," though he quickly added that Fishel should be proud of what she delivered on stage.

Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov seen in a post dated, November 5, 2025 | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars

The actress, who had been urged to tap into deeper emotion, admitted the style didn’t come naturally to her, but made it clear she poured everything she had into the dance.

After the gutting results were announced, Fishel reflected on her experience with heartfelt grace. "It's meant everything," she said. "It has truly been life-changing, and every single moment, including this one, has been joyous."

Pashkov chimed in, sealing their bond with a warm message, "You are now my friend for life."

But fans weren't ready to say goodbye. Outrage ignited online within minutes, as loyal viewers vented their heartbreak and disbelief. "She was the reason I watched this season," one devastated fan wrote.

Another echoed the frustration, sharing, "I will miss Danielle. This is so unfair." The cries of injustice piled up fast, with one viewer asking, "In what world does Andy deserve to stay and she doesn't?"

Another fumed, "This is an outrage!!!! She should still be here. We love her. I love Andy to death, but it should have been him." One declared, "Winner in my heart," while another lamented, "I just don't understand. This show makes no sense this season."

In a cruel twist of irony, earlier that same evening, Fishel had shone as the captain of Team Chicago during the group dance segment. Alongside partners Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, and Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, she delivered a powerhouse routine set to Chicago's "25 or 6 to 4."

Their effort paid off: they earned a perfect score of 40, and even welcomed cohost Alfonso Ribeiro into the routine. But despite that thrilling high, it wasn’t enough to shield her from elimination.

Meanwhile, Team Kool — made up of Andy Richter and Emma Slater, Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, and Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten — danced to "Celebration" by Kool & the Gang, earning a score of 38. Their group performance included co-host Julianne Hough.

In solo performances, Earle and Leavitt tied for the night’s top score with 39, while Leavitt and Ballas clinched immunity thanks to their cumulative season score. Chiles and Irwin followed closely with 38 points each, with Efron earning 36, Hendrix securing 37, and Richter sitting at the bottom with a mere 30.

The episode paid tribute to the upcoming 2025 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, with classic rock hits roaring through the ballroom. Guest judge and inductee Flavor Flav added some spice to the night’s judging panel.

As always, viewer votes were cast live, then merged with the judges' scores to determine the final outcome — one that many viewers are calling deeply flawed.

Fishel's controversial exit came hot on the heels of another fan-favorite elimination just one week earlier, when Halloween Night left fans reeling.

As we had previously reported, the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" brought more than just costumes and themed choreography as frustrated viewers watched one contestant receive mixed reviews from the judges and ultimately leave the show.

A fan comment from a post dated October 28, 2025. | Source: Facebook/Entertainment Tonight

On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, the nine remaining couples returned for Week 7 of Season 34. Each routine embraced a Halloween flair, with a variety of styles including Tango, Paso Doble, Jazz, and Contemporary.

Contestant Jen Affleck and her partner, Jan Ravnik, performed a Contemporary routine to Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do," a song Affleck said resonated with her as a mother who loves Halloween with her kids.

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik from a post dated October 29, 2025. | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars

Ravnik, who had previously toured with Swift, brought his expertise to the choreography, aiming to make a strong impact. The judges, however, offered a combination of praise and criticism.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba called the opening with the troupe "off the charts" but noted issues with Affleck's arm control that could "improve." Judge Derek Hough acknowledged Ravnik's strong first season, especially after a recent podcast criticized his presence on the show.

Jen Affleck and other dancers from a post dated October 29, 2025. | Source: Instagram/dancingwiththestars

Amid pointed remarks from former "Dancing with the Stars" pros Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Peta Murgatroyd, Hough took a moment during the Halloween episode to offer his support. "Jan, first of all, I want to tell you, my man, that you are doing a fantastic first season," he said.

He then advised Affleck to focus on her feet during kicks. Judge Cheryl Burke described it as Affleck's strongest performance to date but pointed out a need to deepen her "connection" with her dance partner.

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Judge Bruno Tonioli encouraged Affleck to lean further into the dark theme and "let the beast out" before adding that he wanted more continuity in her movement. Then, following the judges' critiques, the night moved into its most suspenseful phase — the results.

Votes from the public were combined with the judges' scores, and co-host Alfonso Ribeiro revealed that more than 55 million votes had been cast — setting yet another record for the season.

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

The results were then announced in no particular order, keeping both the audience and contestants on edge. The final three to be revealed were Affleck, as well as fellow contestants Whitney Leavitt and Elaine Hendrix.

When the outcome was announced, it was ultimately Affleck and Ravnik who were sent home despite getting a respectable 32 out of 40 score. Following the devastating news, Affleck said the experience "has meant everything" to her and shared that she took part in the competition for her children.

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

In the crowd, her husband, Zac Affleck, was seen crying as his wife's journey came to an end. Fans, however, did not hold back their disagreement with the critiques.

One said, "they are so hard on her. this was a breakthrough night for her and all they do is critique her. criticism is good but she is clearly feeling defeated. i think they are comparing her to whitney and it's making me lose my mind [sic]."

Jen Affleck and other dancers during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Another said, "Im sorry but I am GENUINELY not seeing what the judges are seeing??? They are so incredibly hard on her they almost brought her to tears. I thought this was amazing and her best dance. [sic]"

More comments followed with similar frustration. "Now I KNOW these judges have some weird bias against Jen. Only 8s when this was clearly her best dance?? I'm so [expletive] for you Jen," one post read.

Jen Affleck and other dancers during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Some viewers focused on how Affleck appeared to react to the feedback. "Watching her lose her spark after the judges talk is so heartbreaking," someone observed.

"right like WHAT THE HECK???? This dance was freaking epic and all they do is critique her so harshly. She's on the same level dance wise as Danielle if not better, and definitely better than Andy. They have praised Danielle and Andy but literally never Jenn 🙄🙄 I'm so annoyed [sic]," another netizen responded.

Jen Affleck and other dancers during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Someone else added, "The judges never build her up like they do EVERYONE ELSE. It's so sad and she was clearly defeated :( they did great [sic]."

Support for Ravnik also came through, with one person writing, "First off, props to Derek giving Jan that compliment!!! Second of all, that was her best dance yet, severely underscored [sic]!!!!"

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik with the judges during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

One longtime viewer voiced, "As a loooong time fan of this show (like 16 years of regular watching) I am incredibly disappointed in all of the judges on @dancingwiththestars @dwtstourofficial. The way you have treated @jenniferlaffleck and Jan is not ok."

"A brand new mom with no dance experience and a brand new pro giving it their ALL every week, fighting flus and postpartum and soooo many other things, and getting absolutely destroyed with critiques was heartbreaking to watch [sic]," they added.

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

"Meanwhile you just can't get enough of Mark and Witless (who has an actual degree in dance AND gets to dance with a seasoned pro AND has literally zero barriers) and they haven't grown or shown anything new or different at all," the post continued.

"The disparity between how you treat the two of them is so incredibly disappointing. I watch this show every season to watch people with no dance experience show their journey and progression. You robbed Jen and the fans of that AND kicked her down. 😢 She deserves an apology," they concluded.

Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik during the Halloween episode of "Dancing with the Stars" on October 28, 2025. | Source: Getty Images

Despite the backlash over the judges' critiques, Affleck remained reflective and grateful. She described her time on "Dancing with the Stars" as a dream come true, even if the timing wasn't ideal, having just welcomed a baby.

Ravnik echoed her sentiments, saying he couldn't have asked for a better performance. After watching the routine back, even he was puzzled by the score they received. "She did so good. She did it justice," he said. "I'm so proud, so proud."

While their journey on "Dancing with the Stars" came to an end sooner than many had hoped, Affleck and Ravnik left the competition having won over a passionate fan base.