‘Dancing With the Stars’ Contestant Elaine Hendrix Receives Standing Ovation After Emotional Performance
Dancing With the Stars contestant Elaine Hendrix delivered a powerful performance of “Defying Gravity” with partner James Kitching yesterday, earning a near-perfect score after breaking down in tears prior to the dance.
The emotional moment occurred before Hendrix and Kitching took to the floor during “Wicked” night on the show, which aired on October 21, 2025. Sources confirmed Hendrix became overwhelmed with emotion, prompting a brief pause before the performance. Despite the pre-dance struggle, the pair received a standing ovation and a combined score of 39 out of 40 from the judges. This high score places them among the frontrunners in the competition.
Guest judge Jon M. Chu, director of the Wicked film adaptation, was present during the show. The evening also saw couples earning the season’s first 10s, while one contestant was eliminated. For viewers interested in learning more about the judging criteria, resources are available from ABC’s official website.
This performance is particularly significant as it demonstrates the emotional investment contestants have in the competition and the ability to overcome personal challenges to deliver captivating routines. Further details on the elimination and upcoming performances can be found on Billboard.
Officials have stated that next week’s show will feature performances inspired by iconic movie soundtracks.
