Talk about a showstopper! The Parent Trap icon Elaine Hendrix absolutely captivated audiences and judges alike on Dancing With The Stars' "Wicked Night," delivering a performance that was as powerful as it was emotional, especially when she revealed the personal battle she was dancing through.
TL;DR- Elaine Hendrix and partner Alan Bersten performed a stunning contemporary routine to "Defying Gravity" on DWTS "Wicked Night."
- Hendrix revealed she danced with a titanium joint in her foot, a lingering injury from a 1992 car accident, making her performance even more courageous.
- They earned four 9s for a total of 36 points, a personal best, though many fans felt she deserved perfect 10s.
- Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold were eliminated, while the remaining couples prepare for Halloween Night.
Alright, fellow movie and TV buffs, let's talk about the magic that unfolded on the ballroom floor. If you tuned into Dancing With the Stars for "Wicked Night" on October 21, 2025, you know exactly what we’re talking about. Elaine Hendrix, a name many of us remember fondly from her iconic role as Meredith Blake in The Parent Trap, brought the house down with a performance that was nothing short of legendary. Partnered with the incredibly talented Alan Bersten, she tackled the monumental anthem "Defying Gravity" from the Broadway hit, and trust us, she did more than just dance – she literally soared!
Soaring Through the Stardust: The "Defying Gravity" Spectacle
From the moment Elaine and Alan stepped onto the floor, you could feel the electricity in the air. Dressed in a sleek, Elphaba-inspired black gown, Elaine embodied the Wicked Witch of the West with every move. Their contemporary routine was packed with intricate lifts and deeply expressive choreography that told a compelling story. But the real showstopper? The grand finale, where Elaine, attached to a harness, was lifted high into the air, her black dress billowing dramatically below her. It was a breathtaking recreation of Elphaba’s iconic moment, making it feel like she truly was "defying gravity."
The audience wasn't just on their feet; they were roaring with applause, utterly enchanted by the sheer artistry and emotional depth of the performance. It wasn't just a dance; it was a moment, a cinematic experience unfolding live, complete with a witch's hat and broomstick for that extra touch of Broadway magic. Every dip, turn, and dramatic lift contributed to a routine that felt both powerful and incredibly vulnerable, preparing us for the heartfelt confession that was about to come.
Dancing Through the Pain: Elaine's Inspiring Battle with Injury
What many viewers didn't fully realize until her rehearsal package aired was the incredible physical challenge Elaine was overcoming. In a truly moving moment, she opened up about a severe car accident she endured in 1992, which left her with a titanium joint in her right foot. This injury has caused her significant pain and limitations, making the rigorous demands of Dancing With the Stars an uphill battle every single week.
During rehearsals, the cameras caught a raw, emotional moment where Elaine broke down in tears, admitting, "It's not fun, knowing the limitations of your body, and this song is all about pushing past your limitations." Her partner, Alan Bersten, echoed this sentiment, explaining that the choice to dance to "Defying Gravity" was deliberate. He wanted the routine to help Elaine realize "she can trust herself to show she is stronger than her injuries." And boy, did she prove him right! Her determination and sheer grit to push past her physical barriers added an extraordinary layer of depth and inspiration to an already stellar performance.
"I am 54, I am injured and I just did that!"
— Elaine Hendrix, after her "Defying Gravity" performanceJudges Blown Away and Fans Left Wanting More (Like, 10s!)
The judges were visibly and profoundly moved. Carrie Ann Inaba, known for her emotional critiques, was in tears. "Elaine, that was something special," she said. "When you were dancing, my heart was — I just burst into tears, because you were so purely in the moment. There are moments on the show that are so magical that no one will ever forget how it made them feel when you danced, and you reached [that]."
Guest judge Jon M. Chu, director of the upcoming Wicked movies, added his expert seal of approval: "It was pure ascension... We talked a lot about that on the movie. It's not about control, it's about surrender to your own power, and I felt that." Bruno Tonioli, ever theatrical, declared, "Darling, you went into orbit tonight... You had the toughest number because it's the highest, the biggest in the show, and you killed it." Derek Hough, aware of Elaine’s struggles from a conversation they’d had, noted that she was truly "defying the odds."
Elaine and Alan earned four impressive 9s, totaling 36 points, marking a personal best for Hendrix this season! However, this is where the internet truly erupted. Many fans felt strongly that she deserved perfect 10s, especially given her powerful delivery and the personal journey she showcased. Social media was flooded with comments like, "If she doesn't get all 10s, I'm done watching," and "Her dance was AMAZING, and her not getting a 10 was genuinely criminal." This sentiment was amplified by the fact that other couples, like Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, and Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, scored 39 points, earning some of the season's first 10s. While their performances were also incredible, many felt Elaine's emotional impact and inspiring backstory should have pushed her into that perfect score territory.
A Major Comeback: From Dedication Night to Defying Gravity
This triumphant performance was an even bigger deal considering what happened the week before. On "Dedication Night," Elaine and Alan's foxtrot, dedicated to her longtime friend and Parent Trap co-star Lisa Ann Walter, received some of their lowest scores. It was a tough night, but Elaine used that as fuel, proving her resilience and determination. Her ability to rebound so powerfully, especially with such a physically and emotionally demanding routine, speaks volumes about her spirit and dedication to the competition.
Who's Still in the Ballroom: A Look Ahead to Halloween Night
The "Wicked Night" episode wasn't just about show-stopping performances; it also brought another elimination. While many fans speculated that Andy Richter might be headed home, it was Scott Hoying of Pentatonix and his partner Rylee Arnold who were ultimately sent packing after their contemporary performance of "The Wizard and I" landed them at the bottom with 28 points.
As we gear up for the spooktacular Halloween Night, here's who's still in the running to dance another week:
- Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
- Andy Richter and Emma Slater
- Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
- Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov
- Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas
- Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
- Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
- Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
- Jennifer Affleck and Jan Ravnik
- Baron Davis and Britt Stewart
- Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson
- Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko
It's a packed ballroom, and with Halloween Night next, we're sure to see some truly ghoulishly great routines!
A "Wicked" Crossover Event: Movies and More!
Given the theme, it’s no surprise that "Wicked Night" also served as a fantastic crossover event for fans of the upcoming Wicked movies. Guest judge Jon M. Chu, who is directing both film adaptations, offered insights directly from the movie set. The episode even treated viewers to a never-before-seen clip from the highly anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good.
Messages from the movie’s star-studded cast, including Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), Ariana Grande (Glinda), Jonathan Bailey (Fiyero), and Michelle Yeoh, also graced the screen, building excitement for the cinematic journey to Oz. Wicked: For Good is set to hit theaters on November 21, 2025, continuing the story years after the first Wicked film (due in 2024). It will delve deeper into Elphaba’s transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West, her fight for Animal rights as a fugitive, and Glinda’s rise as a public figure, all while their friendship is put to the ultimate test – especially with the arrival of a certain young girl from Kansas named Dorothy Gale. If "Wicked Night" on DWTS was any indication, the movies are going to be absolutely spectacular!
Catch All the DWTS Action
If you missed Elaine's jaw-dropping performance or want to keep up with all the ballroom drama, you're in luck! Dancing With the Stars airs live on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. If you prefer to stream, you can catch it simultaneously on Disney+ or watch it the next day on Hulu. Don't miss out on what promises to be a thrilling journey as these stars dance their way towards the coveted Mirrorball trophy!
Relive the magic and drama of Dancing With the Stars Disney Night, celebrating Disneyland's 70th anniversary. Discover Whitney Leavitt's record-breaking score, Hilaria Baldwin's emotional exit, and all the dazzling performances from Week 4.
FAQs About DWTS Wicked Night
Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko faced an unexpected exit from Dancing With the Stars during Disney Night. Read about the emotional goodbyes, husband Alec Baldwin's support, and the surprising fan reactions that led to her departure.
Sources
- Various Entertainment News Outlets (as provided in context)