Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars turned up the intensity during “One Hit-Wonders Night,” delivering glittering performances, emotional highs, and a results segment that left viewers on the edge of their seats — and storming social media with outrage. The first eliminations of the season saw two couples officially exit the competition, a decision that split fan reactions between agreement and disbelief, with many calling the outcomes “unfair” and emotionally charged.
Dubbed the “Ballroom Bloodbath” by some fans, the elimination process combined judges’ scores with audience votes from the first two weeks to determine who would remain in the running for the coveted mirrorball trophy. The results led to a rare double elimination. Corey Feldman and his professional partner Jenna Johnson earned 15 out of 30 for their Cha Cha to Sir Mix-A-Lot’s “Baby Got Back,” while former NBA star Baron Davis and Britt Stewart scored 18 out of 30 for their Samba to Mark Morrison’s “Return of the Mack.” Both couples were eliminated, ending their seasons prematurely.
Yet the biggest controversy of the night centered on Hilaria Baldwin, who remained in the competition despite receiving a Tango score of 21 out of 30 with professional partner Gleb Savchenko, performing to Haddaway’s “What Is Love.” Many fans took to social media, arguing that other dancers had delivered stronger performances and questioning the fairness of the scoring system. The debate underscored the emotional stakes of the show and the passionate, sometimes divisive, role of the audience in shaping the competition.
Viewer Backlash: “I’m Done Watching This Season”
Social media erupted with frustration and disappointment following the first eliminations. Many fans argued that Corey Feldman and Baron Davis deserved to remain in the competition, while Hilaria Baldwin should have been sent home. One viewer wrote, “Yeah no, I’m done watching this season since she’s still on. Corey and Baron deserve to be there more than her. Was ready to sit down every Tuesday… my Tuesdays are now free.” Another blunt post summed up the sentiment of many: “Baron deserved better. Send her home.”
One emotional fan admitted, “I literally sobbed. I’m not even joking. Why, why, whyyyy? Bring Baron back, please. I miss him.” Others questioned Hilaria Baldwin’s eligibility for the competition, citing her previous ballroom experience. “A real shame people voted for Hilaria Baldwin. She has a lot of ballroom experience — she shouldn’t even be on the show,” one viewer wrote. Another added, “I’m sorry… but I need Hilaria Baldwin gone. She has had ballroom training in the past. It’s not fair.”
Not all reactions were negative. Supporters praised Baldwin’s performances, with one posting, “Another week of Hilaria giving us the best dance of the night.” Another defended her advancement, writing, “I get that Hilaria struggles with popularity, but she had the best dance of the night. My opinion is purely based on her dance.” A third chimed in, “Best dance of the night! Should’ve been a higher score.”
Leaderboard: Who’s Rising and Who’s at Risk
The lowest scores of the night went to Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson, who earned 15 points, followed by Andy Richter and Emma Slater with 16 for their Tango. Baron Davis and Britt Stewart received 18, while Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko scored 21. Despite her relatively high score, Baldwin still landed in the bottom three after combining judges’ scores with audience votes, though she ultimately advanced. At the top of the leaderboard, four couples tied with 22 points each:
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Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik (Quickstep)
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Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa (Jive)
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Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas (Cha Cha)
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Robert Irwin and Witney Carson (Tango)
Emotional Goodbyes from the Eliminated Contestants
Corey Feldman expressed deep regret, especially for his partner: “Jenna is amazing. I feel really terrible because she deserved better. She was the queen from last year. She deserves to be the champ every year, in my book.”
Baron Davis also shared heartfelt reflections on his time in the competition: “I haven’t been coached in a while, so to get off my butt was awesome. I wanted to win this for Britt.”
Though neither man remained eligible to compete, both left the show with grace and gratitude, earning praise from fans and fellow contestants alike.
Robert Irwin Steals the Show — And the Internet’s Heart
While Dancing With the Stars Season 34 premiered on September 17 with all the glitz and glamour expected of a Hollywood launch, it was Robert Irwin who truly captured attention — both on the dance floor and across social media.
The wildlife conservationist and TV personality Robert Irwin teamed up with professional dancer Witney Carson for a high-energy Jive to Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild.” Set against a safari-themed backdrop, Irwin began the routine with a dramatic leap off the hood of a Land Rover, launching into flips, kicks, and daring dips. The ballroom erupted in applause, and Judge Derek Hough — who previously danced with Robert’s sister Bindi in Season 21 — was visibly impressed:
“That was one of the best first dances I’ve ever seen on this show,” he said.
Fans echoed the praise across social media. “Robert was hands down the best performance of the night,” one tweeted. Another added, “He’s dancing like a pro!” while a third wrote, “My money is on Robert and Witney.” Despite having no prior dance experience, Irwin proved himself a serious contender for the season.
Corey Feldman’s Routine Faces Harsh Criticism
In contrast, Corey Feldman’s Tango with Jenna Johnson, danced to Billy Joel’s “It’s Still Rock & Roll to Me,” received widespread criticism. Viewers were blunt in their assessments: “Painful to watch!” one wrote. “That wasn’t good,” added another. “He knew the steps but has no rhythm at all,” observed a third. Many predicted Feldman would be among the first to be eliminated — and their prediction proved accurate.
Final Thoughts
Week one of eliminations delivered drama, emotion, and controversy. As fans continue to debate which dancers truly deserve to remain in the competition, one thing is clear: Dancing With the Stars Season 34 has officially begun, and the fight for the mirrorball trophy is already fierce.
