Whitney Leavitt’s emotional journey on “Dancing with the Stars” reached a bittersweet ending after her semi-final elimination. The “Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” personality admitted she cried backstage and compared leaving the competition to going through a breakup. She built strong bonds with the cast, crew, and especially her pro partner Mark Ballas, making the departure feel deeply personal. Despite the heartache, she stressed that the experience transformed her life in ways she never expected.
The Emotional Toll of Leaving “Dancing with the Stars”
Leavitt captioned her sit-down emotional social media video with “eeling a roller coaster of emotions, but above all, grateful for @dancingwiththestars & @markballas AND the people in my life who continually believe in my crazy dreams. Love you 🤍 thank you for all the support during this incredible journey!” The post has gathered comments from the MomTok cast supporting her.
She delivered strong performances during the semi-final, earning 58 points for her cha-cha to “1999” and her Viennese waltz to “Slow Love.” Even with impressive scores and glowing critiques, audience votes ultimately sent her home. She later said she already “felt like a winner” just for reaching that stage of the competition, but the elimination still hit hard.
Whitney explained that spending every day rehearsing with the same people naturally formed deep connections. Walking away from that support system created a real emotional void. She also noted that returning to the spotlight after appearing on “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” — and navigating public criticism tied to her MomTok fame — likely influenced how viewers saw her. Still, she made it clear she was leaving the ballroom with nothing but gratitude. The show challenged her, changed her, and strengthened her in ways she didn’t expect.
Inside Leavitt & Ballas’ Post-Elimination Reaction
In her follow-up conversation with EntertainmentNow, Leavitt opened up further about the night she left “Dancing with the Stars” and reflected on the partnership she formed with Mark Ballas. The two shared how proud they were of their semi-final routines. Their cha-cha showcased their playful chemistry while the Viennese waltz highlighted Whitney’s emotional growth as a performer. Even though fans expected them to advance, the reality of the competition didn’t swing in their favor.
Whitney described the journey as life-changing and said she would do it again without hesitation. She emphasized how much she learned about discipline, performance, and vulnerability. Mark matched her sentiment, calling Whitney “a friend for life” and praising the trust and collaboration they built throughout the season.
Their elimination sparked an intense reaction across social media, with fans calling the outcome shocking and undeserved. Many viewers believed the pair had earned a place in the finale, and their exit reshaped the competition by tightening the race for the remaining contestants.
Looking ahead, Whitney plans to build on the visibility and momentum she gained from the show. She hopes to pursue new opportunities in entertainment and brand partnerships, using her DWTS experience as the foundation for her next chapter. She left the ballroom without a mirrorball trophy, but with new confidence, a deep friendship with Mark, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Prince Night Performances & Scores
On DWTS Prince Night, Ballas and Leavitt set the ballroom on fire with a spirited cha-cha to “1999” and then surprised everyone with a graceful Viennese waltz to “Slow Love.”
Mark later said he was “really proud” of both routines, calling their run bittersweet — especially knowing how much the night meant to them.
