“Dancing With the Stars” delivered another polished night of performances during Season 35’s “Viral Hits Night,” but what viewers saw on television was only part of what was happening inside the ballroom. Behind the cameras, contestants were warming up, calming their nerves and supporting one another right until the final results were announced.
Even before the live broadcast began, the ballroom was busy. Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson were spotted outside in their white costumes, posing for photos while preparing for their Viennese Waltz to “Iris.” Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson were also greeting fans arriving early for the show.
There were familiar faces behind the scenes too. Previously eliminated pros Hailey Bills and Adele Zaikman returned and helped entertain fans before the broadcast, including giving viewers a glimpse of the atmosphere surrounding the live show.
Once the competition started, Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy opened the evening with their energetic Jive to “Animal.” But Jenna’s involvement didn’t end when her own dance was finished. She reportedly remained on the sidelines cheering for the other contestants throughout the night.
Then, during a commercial break, Jenna apparently couldn’t resist dancing again. She was spotted freestyling alongside members of the troupe in the skybox, giving the live audience a fun moment that viewers watching from home never got to see.
Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong were much more focused in the minutes before their Tango to “No Broke Boys.” While Ciara’s emotional pre-recorded package played for viewers, the pair were concentrating on their choreography and getting themselves ready to perform.
Their preparation paid off. Ciara and Brandon received three 6s for a total of 18 out of 30, while the audience inside the ballroom gave them an enthusiastic response.
Another memorable off-camera reaction came during Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson’s Paso Doble to “Where Have You Been.” Guillermo incorporated his own version of Val Chmerkovskiy’s recognizable knee walks, and Val’s reaction from the sidelines reportedly added even more excitement as the ballroom erupted.
But one of the most revealing behind-the-scenes moments involved Maura Higgins. Shortly before she and Mark Ballas performed their Cha Cha to “September,” Maura appeared noticeably nervous. Mark repeatedly encouraged her and tried to keep her calm and focused on what they were about to do.
Maura also covered her ears while her pre-recorded interview package was playing. It wasn’t a sign that something had gone wrong—she was apparently trying to block out the surrounding noise and stay concentrated before walking onto the dance floor, something other celebrities have also done before performing.
The most emotional unseen moment came at the end of the night. Guillermo and Witney, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, and Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess were announced as the three couples in danger. Ultimately, Giada and Alan were eliminated from the competition.
As soon as the broadcast ended and the credits began rolling, Giada and Alan’s fellow contestants reportedly rushed toward them to offer hugs and support. It was a moment television viewers largely missed, but one that showed a different side of the competition: behind all the scores, routines and eliminations, the Season 35 cast is also forming genuine bonds while navigating the pressure of the ballroom together.
