“Dancing With the Stars” transported fans to the Emerald City in Week 6, as the competition celebrated Wicked Night with 10 couples performing show-stopping routines inspired by the hit musical.
Director Jon M. Chu, who helmed 2024’s “Wicked” and its upcoming sequel “Wicked: For Good,” appears as a special guest judge during the October 21 episode. The night transforms the ballroom into the glittering Ozdust Ballroom, where each couple performs to songs from both movie soundtracks.
Viewers were also treated to an exclusive sneak peek from “Wicked: For Good,” set to premiere in theaters on November 21, along with video messages from the film’s stars, including Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, and Michelle Yeoh.
Themed medleys like “No One Mourns the Wicked,” “Defying Gravity,” “For Good,” “Thank Goodness,” “Dancing Through Life,” and “What Is This Feeling?” set the tone for an unforgettable night.
Watch: Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach Dance the Rumba to ‘I’m Not That Girl’
Reality star Dylan Efron and his pro partner Daniella Karagach light up the ballroom with a romantic rumba to “I’m Not That Girl” performed by Cynthia Erivo. Efron pushed himself outside his comfort zone this week, performing a romantic Rumba.
In his pre-performance package, Daniella said Dylan has been making her a better dancer throughout rehearsals. Dylan admitted that the sensual and emotional nature of the Rumba was something completely new for him, calling it “out of [his] comfort zone.”
Performing to “I’m Not That Girl,” Dylan showed vulnerability and focus, earning encouraging feedback from the judges.
Jon Stewart said he could tell Dylan was “so connected in the story,” adding, “I can’t believe you’ve never done this before.”
Bruno Tonioli praised Dylan’s rhythm, noting that his hips “have no problem at all.” He added with a grin, “In fact, sometimes you lost a little bit of control of it. The Rumba is the hardest dance for men, and you did it well.”
Carrie Ann Inaba highlighted the intense chemistry between Dylan and Daniella, saying their partnership is what makes their performances “magic.” She added, “Sometimes the foot got stuck, but otherwise wonderful to watch.”
Derek Hough commended Dylan’s steady improvement, saying simply that he’s “growing.”
The duo earned a score of 32 out of 40, a strong showing that reflected both progress and passion.
After no eliminations during last week’s Dedication Night, live viewer votes combined with judges’ scores from both weeks will determine who faces elimination after Wicked Night.
How to Vote for Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach on ‘Dancing With the Stars’
If you want to help Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach stay in the competition, you can cast your votes during the live broadcast of “Dancing With the Stars” on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on ABC and Disney+. Fans can vote either online or by text while the show airs live.
To vote online, visit dwtsvote.abc.com once voting opens, sign in or create an ABC account, find Dylan & Daniella, and click the plus sign next to their names to cast up to 10 votes per couple.
Be sure to click “Save Votes” to confirm your selections. You can also vote by texting DYLAN to 21523, with each text counting as one vote—up to 10 texts per couple per week. Fans can vote a total of 20 times each week (10 online and 10 by text).
Online voting is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada, while text voting is available only in the U.S. Voters must be 18 or older. Remember, all votes must be submitted live during the show’s broadcast.
