“Boy Meets World” star Danielle Fishel experienced both triumph and heartbreak during Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night on “Dancing With the Stars” this week. Despite delivering an emotional Contemporary routine and captaining her team to a perfect score, the actress was eliminated alongside her professional partner, Pasha Pashkov.
The elimination came as a surprise to many viewers, especially considering Fishel had just led “Team Chicago” to the season’s first perfect 40 out of 40 group dance score.
Fishel’s final individual performance was a Contemporary dance to Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” choreographed to address judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s previous feedback to use more space on the dance floor. The routine held special significance for the actress, who had revealed her breast cancer diagnosis earlier in the season.
Speaking with TV Insider on the post-show press line immediately after her elimination, Fishel reflected on the emotional week.
Dancing Through Personal Challenges
Fishel’s Contemporary routine to “Dream On” carried personal meaning, as she had previously shared how the song helped her through her cancer journey. “It was a great feeling,” she told TV Insider about completing the challenging routine. “It was a great lift. We had such an emotional week. To just finish the dance actually felt good. ‘Wow! We did it!’ It was a proud moment.”
Professional partner Pasha Pashkov praised Fishel’s dedication and resilience throughout their partnership. “She’s a champ,” he said during the interview. “She’s a champ. She takes criticism like a champ. She works hard. She shows up. She never backs down. She pushes through no matter how hard it is.”
The judges offered mixed feedback on her final performance, with Derek Hough acknowledging, “You’re somebody that we all root for. Tonight, it felt little disjointed here and there, but overall, something [about which] you should feel very proud.” Judge Carrie Ann Inaba awarded the duo their highest individual score of the night, recognizing the emotional storytelling in their Contemporary routine.
Fishel had been diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) in 2024, undergoing two surgeries and 20 rounds of radiation before receiving a clear mammogram. Her participation in “Dancing With the Stars” represented a celebration of her recovery and determination.
Fishel Led Team Chicago to Victory
Despite her elimination, Fishel’s leadership as captain of “Team Chicago” earned the season’s first perfect group dance score. “Oh, my gosh,” she said to TV Insider about the group performance. “What a high note to go out on. It was also not just the performance went well. It was that we got to rehearse it. We actually only had about seven hours, but every moment in rehearsal was just fun.”
Her fellow contestants expressed genuine sadness at her departure, with many crediting her leadership and positive energy. Whitney Leavitt told the outlet that “Danielle set the tone” as their team captain, while Robert Irwin called her “the greatest,” praising her “light, energy, and authenticity.”
As Fishel looks forward to returning to normal life activities like “making my kids’ lunches” and taking well-deserved rest, her “Dancing With the Stars” experience showcased her determination in the face of both personal and professional challenges.
