Britt Stewart is opening up about her unexpectedly short Dancing With the Stars journey with Taylor Hanson, sharing an emotional message that reveals just how meaningful their partnership became in only a few weeks.
Britt and Taylor were eliminated during Season 35’s Yacht Rock Night after performing a foxtrot to the Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes.”
The pair received 18 out of 30 from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli, placing them above some of the other couples still remaining in the competition.
Their elimination immediately surprised viewers and members of the DWTS cast, with several fans questioning how a couple showing steady improvement could be sent home so early. Pro Ezra Sosa was among those who publicly expressed frustration following the result.
Days later, Britt shared a lengthy tribute to Taylor on Instagram, reflecting on what their brief partnership had meant to her beyond scores or placements.
Britt praised Taylor for approaching their experience with authenticity and trust, explaining that their partnership reminded her why she loves creating and connecting through dance.
She also made it clear that although their run ended much sooner than she hoped, she remained proud of what they had created together.
But perhaps the most meaningful part of their story came from Taylor himself.
During an emotional appearance on the official Dancing With the Stars podcast following their elimination, Taylor revealed that Britt wasn’t simply the professional dancer randomly assigned to him.
He had specifically requested her.
Taylor explained that he had watched Britt and admired what she represented on the show, including her passion, positivity and commitment to her craft. He believed she was exactly the kind of partner he wanted for the experience.
While discussing Britt, Taylor became visibly emotional as he reflected on the connection they developed and the effort she put into helping him grow as a dancer.
For Britt, learning that Taylor had deliberately chosen her made their partnership even more significant.
Their elimination also struck a nerve because Britt has become one of the show’s most supported pros while still searching for her first Mirrorball Trophy.
Fellow cast members quickly rallied around her after the result. Sharna Burgess said she had hoped to see Britt finally reach the finale, while other dancers expressed disappointment that Britt and Taylor’s journey had ended after only three weeks.
Even host Alfonso Ribeiro acknowledged that saying goodbye to the pair was “especially difficult,” highlighting just how surprising their departure felt inside the ballroom as well as among viewers.
Taylor later revealed another detail that made his final performance even more impressive: he had been dealing with an injury during preparations for the foxtrot, something viewers were not fully aware of when they watched him compete.
Despite the disappointment, neither Britt nor Taylor has allowed the elimination to define their experience.
Instead, Britt’s tribute focused on the trust, creativity and friendship they developed — and Taylor’s revelation that he had personally asked to dance with her showed that their connection began even before they stepped onto the ballroom floor together.
They may have left Dancing With the Stars far earlier than either of them expected, but for Britt Stewart and Taylor Hanson, their three-week partnership appears to have become something far more lasting than any number on a judges’ scoreboard.
