Dylan Efron, former “Traitors” contestant turned dancer, will deliver his third “Dancing with the Stars” performance tonight, switching styles to a Foxtrot under the spotlight of “TikTok Night.” After tackling Latin rhythms in his first two weeks, Efron and his partner Daniella Karagach aim to showcase their chemistry and technical growth through ballroom’s more fluid, framed dance.
Dylan & Daniella’s Third Performance & Score
Judges compliment Efron on his ability to absorb the professional dancer techniques. Dylan and Daniella received a combined score of 23 for the evening. These are the couples best scores thus far in the competition.
Foxtrot Tonight on “TikTok Night”
Tonight’s episode concentrates on viral tracks from TikTok, and Efron & Karagach will wrestle with Foxtrot’s demands while conforming to the night’s theme.
Unlike Latin dances with more isolated movement, Foxtrot requires strong partnership, smooth transitioning steps, and continuous connection between dancers. People reports that Dylan and Daniella will perform their Foxtrot to the track “YUKON,” a song gaining traction on TikTok, placing them among the featured couples to adapt ballroom style to social media trends. The choice signals both ambition and risk, as judges often scrutinize frame, foot speed, and timing in Foxtrot more heavily than in Latin styles. Last week’s samba dance went viral for Efron’s hip fluidity.
If Efron and Karagach can combine technical precision with emotional expression in tonight’s performance, they may cement their place in the competition. Their ability to fuse TikTok’s energy with ballroom discipline could define how audiences and judges perceive them moving forward.
From Adventure Seeker to Aspiring Ballroom Star
Efron embraced the show as a way to challenge himself in a new domain. He told PopSugar that despite his adventurous spirit—rock climbing, ocean excursions, and endurance feats—he has long avoided performance spaces and public spotlight. Efron admitted that holding a mic during his “Traitors” appearance was one of his first real onstage moments, making “Dancing with the Stars” feel like uncharted territory. However, he described his athletic background as partially preparing him for the physicality of dance. He acknowledged the soreness and fatigue that accompany four-hour rehearsals, comparing it to his training during triathlons.
He believes that dancing in a frame, with face-to-face connection, aligns more naturally with him than his earlier Latin routines, since it taps into his preference for structure over constant hip motion.
Meanwhile, Efron has also teased the performance atmosphere through social media. He recently posted a shirtless TikTok dancing alongside Karagach, demonstrating both his confidence and awareness of fan expectations. The clip, which went viral, highlights the contrast between his physical presentation and his self-described discomfort with attention. In interviews with Pop Sugar, Efron has accepted the dual role of entertainer and competitor, stating that he finds joy once the music starts and that anxiety recedes in the moment.
