Dancing With The Stars Recap | Week 9

Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead

The opening dance numbers!? Get out of here!! What!? Amazing! Beautifully executed! In awe! Derek is an amazing match for Daniella. Two powerhouses. I love any time Derek or Julianne dance honestly (Mind you, I have 0 dance experience and I’m going off vibes alone).

With that said, let’s get into the celebrity numbers.

I loved watching Elaine dance! Were there moments where I wish she was tighter in her movements? Yes. Overall, I loved the routine and the fun energy it brought. I am happy with the 9s all around.

Robert is so so so pure of heart, and Prince William calling in!?! Wtf!? I LOVE the royals so that was amazing. Robert feeling all the feels made me cry after his dance. This routine was his absolute best yet. Why the heck did Carrie Ann need to mention the “foot coming off the ground”? Seriously? He deserved all of those 10s. A perfect score for a perfect dance.

Uhm… why would they have Andy take on a dance inspired by Jordan Fisher’s routine? They are not comparable. I know it’s just inspiration, but damn. I will say that Andy has improved for sure. That’s not debatable. He’s just not at the level he needs to be at this point in the competition. I loved his journey, but it’s time for him to go.

The tribute dance was beautiful. I truly felt the emotion.

This was Dylan’s BEST DANCE YET! He didn’t look awkward or stiff or out of place. He looked like he belonged! As Derek said, that was his breakthrough moment! Thank you Carrie Ann for passing the crown to Dylan for the best Argentine Tango. He definitely deserved the perfect score!

Jordan has grown so much in this competition, and I have loved every moment. The cha cha was made for her. She looked a little awkward in the beginning, but she made up for it by the end.

Side note: Derek is honestly my favorite judge. He is such a positive light in a see of sometimes overly negative critiques. Bruno is, of course, another fav of mine with his chaotic energy.

Alix is so beautiful and she has truly surprised me this season. I have loved seeing a side of her we do not see on social media alone. She looked like a pro during her routine tonight. Gorgeous. Another one who deserved that perfect score (and I typed this sentence before the scores even came out).

Whitney, my favorite to watch, always brings the energy I am looking for. I loved that they showed how challenging it is for her and really for everyone else as well. She did not disappoint! I get so much anxiety watching her because I do not want any mistakes to happen ever. I love Whitney! Perfect score did not surprise me. Well deserved, as always.

I loved seeing Carrie Ann, Derek, and Bruno explain the behind the scenes and honor Len. I have a newfound respect for all of them.

Relay Round:

Jordan’s second dance with Apolo was so clean. Elaine’s with Rashad was also so clean, but she had a stumble at the end! NO! Both, amazing! So fun to see! Jordan deserved that win.

Dylan versus Andy: I’m sorry, but Andy has to say goodbye. I do love his bubbly personality though. Dylan’s dance was HOT! *swoon* Andy’s shirt had me cackling! I can’t with him! Dylan’s win was well-deserved.

Alix versus Robert: IMPOSSIBLE TO DECIDE! That was AMAZING! I loved both and I refused to decide who the winner would be. Thank goodness I was not in the judge’s position. Robert’s win made me happy.

I was on the edge of my seat during eliminations. Thank goodness America didn’t let me down twice when it came to voting. Andy, your spirit will be missed.

I cannot place who I think is going to take the mirror ball home anymore. The competition is competition-ing, that’s for sure. Robert, Dylan, Alix, Whitney, maybe even Jordan. As of right now I cannot narrow it down. And only two weeks left! I need it to be Tuesday because waiting an entire week for the next episode is going to be rough!

Someone asked me this week if I was into reality tv and my go to answer is always no, but I guess that’s a lie now because I am obsessed with Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and now Dancing With The Stars. I will definitely be watching Taylor Frankie Paul on the Bachelorette in 2026 as well. I can now be classified as a reality tv watcher and I will wear that badge with pride.