Dancing With The Stars Celebrates Wicked Night: A Magical Evening of Performances
The highly anticipated Wicked-themed episode of Dancing With The Stars’ 34th season brought movie magic to the ballroom as contestants performed routines inspired by the beloved musical. The special night featured guest judge Jon M. Chu, the director of the upcoming Wicked film, who joined regular judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. The evening began with a special message from the movie’s stars, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, setting the stage for what would be a spectacular celebration of the musical’s themes of friendship, courage, and transformation. “Wicked is a beloved tale of two best friends who change each other’s lives for good,” Erivo shared, while Grande encouraged viewers to “rejoicify” as they kicked off the celebration with an opening number choreographed by Chris Scott. The professional dancers and troupe members set the tone with an enchanting medley featuring iconic songs from the musical, including “Defying Gravity,” “For Good,” and “Dancing Through Life.”
The competition began with Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying and his professional partner Rylee Arnold performing a contemporary dance to “The Wizard And I.” Their dramatic interpretation received mixed feedback from the judges—while director Chu was swept away to Oz by their performance, he noted that some transitions could have been cleaner. Bruno Tonioli appreciated seeing Hoying “let loose in the land of Oz” but encouraged the Grammy winner to better control his passionate performance. Despite the constructive criticism, the pair maintained positive spirits when receiving their score of 28 out of 40, bringing their combined two-week total to 58 out of 80, as last week’s Dedication Night featured no eliminations. The atmosphere in the ballroom perfectly captured the magical world of Oz, with elaborate sets, colorful costumes, and emotional performances that paid homage to the beloved musical’s themes of finding courage, embracing differences, and the power of friendship.
As the night progressed, each couple took their turn transforming the ballroom into different scenes from Wicked, with many celebrities stepping outside their comfort zones to embody the spirit of the musical. The contestants poured their hearts into performances that incorporated the emotional depth and theatrical elements that make Wicked so beloved by audiences worldwide. Some dancers captured the playfulness of “Dancing Through Life,” while others embodied the emotional gravity of songs like “Defying Gravity” and “For Good.” The judges looked for technical execution while also evaluating how well each pair captured the essence of their assigned song. Many contestants found personal connections to the themes of Wicked—embracing one’s true self despite judgment from others, finding courage in the face of adversity, and the transformative power of friendship—making for especially moving performances that resonated with both the judges and audience members.
The blend of technical dance requirements with theatrical performance created a unique challenge for the contestants, as they needed to balance proper dance technique with emotional storytelling. Some stars who had struggled in previous weeks found their footing during Wicked Night, perhaps inspired by the musical’s message of breaking free from limitations and expectations. Others who had been frontrunners continued to impress with their ability to adapt to new styles while maintaining their performance quality. The production team transformed the ballroom into a miniature version of Oz, with emerald lighting effects, swirling fog machines, and set pieces that evoked the magical world of the musical. Costume designers embraced the iconic black and green color scheme associated with the witches of Oz, creating modern interpretations of the musical’s distinctive aesthetic while ensuring the outfits still allowed for the technical requirements of ballroom dancing.
Despite the joyful celebration of Wicked throughout the night, the episode concluded with the difficult moment of elimination. Scott Hoying and Rylee Arnold were ultimately the pair to say goodbye, marking an emotional end to their journey on the show. True to the spirit of Wicked, Hoying maintained optimism in the face of disappointment, saying, “Rylee is my favorite person ever. I had so much fun. I learned so much. And it’s Wicked Night. A perfect way to go.” His professional partner was equally gracious, emotionally adding, “I couldn’t have asked for a better partner.” Their elimination, though sad for their fans, demonstrated the fundamental message of Wicked—that relationships can change us “for good,” even when paths diverge. The audience and fellow contestants showed their support with a standing ovation, celebrating the growth and friendship the pair had developed throughout their time on the show.
Dancing With The Stars continues to bring creative themed nights that allow contestants to showcase different aspects of their personalities and dancing abilities, with Wicked Night proving to be one of the most imaginative and emotionally resonant episodes of the season. As viewers look ahead to future performances, many will remember the magical evening that brought the beloved musical to life through dance. The show airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with dedicated fans able to engage further through the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league, where they can compete against other viewers and Us Weekly editors to predict which pairs will make it to the season 34 finale. The partnership between the classic reality competition show and the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked created a perfect synergy, introducing the musical to new audiences while giving longtime fans a fresh interpretation of the story through the medium of dance, proving once again that Dancing With The Stars continues to find innovative ways to combine entertainment, competition, and cultural touchstones.
