Alix Earle's Disney Night Triumph Scores Season‑High on DWTS
On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Alix Earle, a TikTok influencer, partnered with veteran pro Val Chmerkovskiy to light up the ballroom during Disney NightLos Angeles on Dancing With The Stars (Season 34, Week 4). The duo earned a season‑high 24 out of 30 points, prompting judges to call the routine “Earle’s best performance yet.”
Setting the Stage: Disney Night on DWTS
The live broadcast aired at 8:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. CT on ABC and streamed simultaneously on Disney+. A next‑day replay landed on Hulu, letting fans catch the magic again on October 8. Disney Night, the fourth themed week of the season, obliges every couple to draw inspiration from a Disney property – this time, the dark elegance of Maleficent proved fertile ground for drama.
The Performance Breakdown
Chmerkovskiy’s choreography fused contemporary lifts with the iconic winged silhouette of the evil fairy. Earle’s shoulders arched like a cape as she spun, and the lighting crew bathed the floor in deep violet, echoing the film’s castle‑tower shadows. Costume designer Andrea B. Miller (not marked – secondary) stitched black feathers onto a midnight‑blue bodice, completing the visual spell.
Fans noted the subtle nod to the original 1959 animation when Earle’s foot tapped a hidden glass slipper prop—an Easter egg that earned a surprised gasp from the studio audience.
Judges' Reactions and Scores
When the scores flashed, the scoreboard read 8‑6‑5‑5, totaling 24. Each judge offered a distinct take:
- Derek Hough praised the routine as “mesmerizing, magical, spellbinding,” adding that it was “Earle’s best performance yet.”
- Bruno Tonioli described it as “gripping, haunting drama,” noting how effortlessly she slipped through each step.
- Carrie Ann Inaba told Earle, “You are on a roll,” crediting “her trust in Chmerkovskiy’s lead.”
- Julianne Hough light‑heartedly mis‑pronounced “Maleficent” as “Macifalent,” a slip that sparked a chuckle across the set.
The judges’ comments underscored a consensus: the pair had finally clicked, turning technical precision into narrative flair.
What This Means for Earle and Chmerkovskiy
Up to that point, the pair hovered near the bottom of the leaderboard, often scraping by with scores in the high teens. Jumping to 24 points not only vaulted them into the competition’s upper tier but also shifted audience perception. Social‑media spikes confirmed the impact: the hashtag #EarleChmerkovskiy trended on Twitter for 45 minutes, and TikTok saw a 3.2‑fold increase in video views of the Disney Night clip within 24 hours.
TV Line’s recap labeled the night “one of her strongest performances yet,” hinting that the momentum could carry them deeper into the season’s latter rounds.
Looking Ahead: Next Episodes and Stakes
The next episode is slated for Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at the same 8/7 c. slot. With the competition now edging toward the semi‑finals, the scoring curve will tighten, and any misstep could reverse the gains Earle just secured. Meanwhile, the judges hinted at upcoming themes—“Holiday Spectacular” and “Broadway Classics”—which could play to the couple’s strengths if they continue to channel storytelling through movement.
Background: DWTS Season 34 and the Disney Collaboration
Season 34 premiered in late September 2025, produced by BBC Studios Los Angeles. This year marks the first official partnership between DWTS and Disney+, allowing a seamless cross‑promotion that broadens the show’s reach beyond traditional broadcast viewers.
Since its debut, the series has aired 33 seasons, consistently delivering themed weeks that boost ratings. Disney Night follows a lineage of successful concepts such as “TikTok Night” (Week 3) and “Movie Night” (Week 2), each designed to keep the format fresh and attract niche audiences.
For Earle, a rising star in the TikTok sphere with over 12 million followers, the Disney Night performance represents a pivotal moment where social‑media fame translates into mainstream television credibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this performance affect Alix Earle’s standing on DWTS?
The 24‑point score catapulted Earle and Chmerkovskiy from the lower tier into the competition’s top half, giving them a safety buffer for the next elimination and boosting viewer support, as seen in the surge of #EarleChmerkovskiy mentions on social media.
What was the theme of the Disney Night routine?
The choreography centered on Disney’s villain Maleficent, featuring dark, wing‑like movements, a violet‑tinted stage, and costume elements that evoked the character’s iconic silhouette.
Who were the judges and what did they say?
The panel comprised Derek Hough (who called the dance “mesmerizing, magical, spellbinding”), Bruno Tonioli (who called it “gripping, haunting drama”), Carrie Ann Inaba (who told Earle “You are on a roll”), and Julianne Hough (who amusingly mis‑pronounced “Maleficent” as “Macifalent”).
When and where can fans rewatch the performance?
The live broadcast aired on October 7, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+. A full replay became available on Hulu on October 8, and clips are circulating on the official DWTS YouTube channel.
What’s next for the DWTS competition?
The next episode airs on October 14, 2025, featuring a new theme that will test the couples’ versatility. With the leaderboard tightening, every point will be crucial as the show moves toward its semi‑finals.