From Meltdown to Mic Grab: The Most Shocking Moments in Dancing with the Stars History!
Dancing with the Stars has provided fans with 20 years' worth of unforgettable sambas, mambos, tangos, waltzes ... and then some.
Beyond the sequins and salsas, some of the most shocking moments happened when no one was actually dancing. From disastrous pairings to spicy clapbacks, shocking eliminations and alleged affairs, the long-running dancing competition show has provided viewers with more than just well-crafted dance moves.
Of course, we couldn't fit all of buzzy best moments from the last two decades, so here are a few standouts, below.
01 of 14
Hilaria Baldwin's Shocking Elimination and Subsequent Mic Grab
Disney/Eric McCandless
Hilaria Baldwin's shocking elimination of the Oct. 7 episode of season 34 of the show is only the latest as almost every season has one. The mom of 8, whose routine also caused a stir among the judges last night, wanted to make sure she said her piece on the way off the floor, snatching the mic from Julianne Hough and declaring, "This has been an incredible experience."
She continued, "I am so grateful to all of you, I'm so grateful to my children and my family. I'm cheering on everybody in the cast. This has been an amazing time."
Other surprising eliminations from past seasons include Lauren Jauregui also from season 34; Brandy Norwood (season 11); Sabrina Bryan (season 5); Shannen Doherty (season 10); Heather Morris (season 24); among many more.
02 of 14
Maksim Chmerkovskiy Tells Len Goodman He Should Retire
Adam Taylor/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Known as the "bad boy of ballroom," Maksim Chmerkovskiy wasn't just a tough teacher to his partners, but he was also known to fiercely talk back to the judges when he felt he needed to.
After he and partner Hope Solo scored the lowest of the night during an episode back in 2011, the Ukrainian-born dancer had a terse exchange with the judges' panel.
"I've been in the business for 50 years," Goodman said, in defense of his critiques.
"Maybe it's time to go," Chmerkovskiy retorted.
Chmerkovskiy would later amend the statement, but maintained that he would always defend himself.
"I meant to say that I don’t want to just stand back and accept punches,” he told the
03 of 14
Maksim Chmerkovskiy and Hope Solo's Contentious Partnership
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Perhaps most surprising about that spat with the judges? Chmerkovskiy and his season 13 dance partner famously didn't get along. Solo accused the pro of being "nasty" and "harshly critical," saying he manhandled her at rehearsals and at one point "slapped me across the face", per
He denied these allegations, writing on X (then Twitter), "Always hated hypocrites and liars. But when someone is both AND an opportunist, I just feel bad for them. Can’t win at someone’s expense,” according to SheKnows.
"I don't like her, and that's the end of it," Chmerkovskiy said while on The Real back in 2015.
04 of 14
Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews' Surprise Firing
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Tom Bergeron had been the show's beloved host since its premiere back in 2005, scoring nine Emmy nominations for Outstanding Host for a Reality Competition over his tenure, taking home the trophy in 2012. So to say that fans were surprised to learn of his firing in 2020 is an understatement.
The news came after Bergeron had spoken out about the show's decision to cast former White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who served under Donald Trump.
Adding insult to injury, Erin Andrews, who had co-hosted since 2014, was also let go as part of an overall creative overhaul and replaced by Tyra Banks.
05 of 14
Len Goodman Announces His Retirement
After serving as a lead judge for a whopping 31 seasons, Len Goodman announced in 2022 that he would be retiring from the show.
"I've been with the show since it started in 2005 and it has been a huge pleasure to be a part of such a wonderful show. But I've decided I'd like to spend more time with my grandchildren and family back in Britain," he said in part.
Five months later, on April 22, 2023, he died due to bone cancer. He was 78.
06 of 14
The Dancing Pros Honor Len Goodman with an Emotional Tribute
There wasn't a single dry eye left when, on Oct. 24, 2023, the show's pro dancers past and present came together to create a tribute dance to Goodman during the "Most Memorable Year" week. The dancers crafted a special waltz, set to "Moon River."
07 of 14
Simone Biles' Legendary Clapback
Eric McCandless / Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles let it be known that she meant business when, after receiving mixed reviews about her paso doble, Bergeron suggested she cheer up. "I was waiting for you to smile at some of the compliments [but] you didn't," he noted.
The Olympian shrugged before retorting, "Smiling doesn't win you gold medals." The internet, of course, had a field day with the clapback.
09 of 14
Tattoos That Said It All
It's not always all serious business in the ballroom. Back in 2024, famed con artist Anna Delvey's time on season 33 came to an end after only two weeks. Asked what she was going to take away from her time on the show, she simply responded, "Nothing."
To commemorate the moment, her partner, Ezra Sosa, got a tattoo of the snipe on his shoulder blade.
Fast forward to season 34, former Fifth Harmony singer Lauren Jauregui was eliminated after only three weeks. When asked how she was feeling after receiving the news, she replied, "Pissed."
To commemorate that iconic comment, her partner, Brandon Armstrong, also got a tattoo of the one-word answer on his shoulder blade.
Sosa and Armstrong teamed up for a hilarious Instagram video showcasing their ink.
10 of 14
Jojo Siwa Makes History
Jojo Siwa made history in 2021, when she broke gender barriers by being the first person to compete with a same-sex pro — Jenna Johnson — on the show.
"They asked, would I be more comfortable with a female or with a male and immediately I knew for myself I would be way more comfortable with a girl," she said on
"I have a chance right now to make history and to break down a barrier and there's nothing that I would rather do than that," she added.
12 of 14
Gleb Savchenko's Messy Brooks Nader Relationship
Disney/Eric McCandless
Gleb Savchenko is a repeat offender when it comes to sparks flying on the dance floor. He and Brooks Nader were partnered for season 33 of
They then purportedly broke up after getting eliminated from the show on Oct. 15, but were back together after being reunited on the finale. Things seemed to be going well for the two until they broke up again in April 2025. Nader accused the dance pro of cheating, which he denied.
The pair still occasionally trade swipes on the internet, with Savchenko seemingly shading his ex while praising his new dance partner, Hilaria Baldwin.
"I’m most looking forward to just enjoying work and dance,” he told PEOPLE of his hopes for this new season.
“Finally, I have a partner that I can go out there and dance [with] and really enjoy and not try to figure out the routine of like, ‘Okay let me just hide all of your minuses and bring out the pluses.’"
13 of 14
Sara Evans Self-Eliminates
ABC/ADAM LARKEY
Country star Sara Evans made it all the way to sixth place before she self-eliminated, citing her ongoing contentious divorce with ex-husband, Craig Schelske.
“I would be on Dancing with the Stars, and you could see some of the episodes, my eyes were just blood red swollen because I’d been crying the whole day, missing my kids,” she recalled during an episode of her podcast Diving in Deep.
“He wanted to be at every episode and come down here and be seen on TV, on camera, and also at the same time, he was trying to make a case against me to show that I was working and not being a good mom,” she claimed.
She claimed that an incident during dinner at The Grove shopping center in L.A., during which one of her kids intervened, caused her to realize she needed to focus entirely on her family.
“The next day we were going to start the group dance rehearsals and because of the trauma that my children went through at the restaurant, I said, ‘I’m quitting,’” she recalled.
14 of 14
Marie Osmond Faints
ABC/CAROL KAELSON
The Dancing with the Stars ballroom has seen many injuries and various mishaps. However, one particularly scary moment saw Marie Osmond pass out following a samba performance back in 2007.
She turned out fine, stating, "Once in a while that happens to me when I get winded. I stop breathing,” per The Hollywood Reporter.
Victor’s Loyalty Test: Adam and Chelsea Play by His Rules, But At What Cost?
Photo Credit: JPI Studios.
The Young and the Restless spoilers for Friday, October 10, find Adam and Chelsea getting a pat on the head from Victor, while Christine picks a gown to get married in — again.
Key Takeaways
- Victor approves of Adam and Chelsea doing things his way.
- Christine and Danny are headed to the chapel.
- Phyllis manages to screw up yet again.
Next on Y&R
There is nothing more important to Victor (Eric Braeden) than loyalty. You’re with him or you’re against him. And if you’re against him, you’re evil and wrong and stupid.
His children owe Victor their loyalty. In all things. But especially business. When Adam (Mark Grossman) dared listen to Chelsea (Melissa Claire Egan, who teased trouble for Chelsea and Adam) that maybe they shouldn’t go after Billy (Jason Thompson) but pick on someone their own size, Victor lost it, and reminded his son who the most important person in the world was — and, no, it was not the mother of Adam’s beloved son, Connor (Judah Mackey).
It was Victor. It’s always Victor. So Adam folded and did what Victor demanded. And got Chelsea to go along. This pleases Victor. He feeds his son a Scooby Snack and tells him he may grow to love him yet. As long as Adam plays his cards right. And never challenges Victor again. Good boy. Sit. Roll over. Beg….
Dress Up Dolls
Christine (Lauralee Bell) and Danny (Michael Damian) are getting married — again! Lauren (Tracy Bregman) designed several possible wedding dresses for her friend. And viewers got to vote on which one she should wear.
Now, Christine is closer to making her decision. As well as picking a date, a location, a reception space, music, food, all the usual things. This thing is completely under control!
Caught in the Act
Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) believes that Cane (Billy Flynn) can’t possibly unleash his “artificial intelligence” super-weapon without her help. Even though she only looked up what exactly AI is a few weeks ago.
She said as much to Victor, and now she’s determined to prove it to the world. Or, at least, to Genoa City. So Phyllis does a few underhanded things. Which are totally justified. And she is totally innocent. Even when caught red-handed. Besides, Phyllis is too smart to get caught. Even when she is. Who are you going to believe? Her or your own eyes?
