The Dancing With The Stars Season 34 Prince Night semifinals delivered one of the most electrifying nights in the show’s history on November 19, 2025, when four contestants earned perfect 30-point scores and one dream was abruptly ended. Airing live at 8:00 PM Eastern Time on ABC from its long-standing studio in Los Angeles, California, the episode transformed the ballroom into a purple-hued tribute to the late Prince, with every step charged with emotion, precision, and raw vulnerability. Only four dancers would advance to the finale—making every moment feel like a high-wire act with no safety net.
Prince’s Music, Perfect Scores, and Tears on the Floor
The night opened with a hush as the first notes of When Doves Cry filled the studio. Contestant Robert, a former NFL wide receiver turned ballroom sensation, launched into a high-energy jive that left the judges breathless. Carrie Ann Inaba, the show’s longtime head judge, leaned forward and whispered, “This is how you tell the world you deserve to be in the finale.” Moments later, the scoreboard flashed: 30. The first perfect score of the night. Robert didn’t just dance—he commanded the stage, turning Prince’s rhythm into a declaration of intent.
Then came Karenne—her full name still unconfirmed by production—whose salsa to Kiss turned into something far deeper than choreography. She fought through a missed step, then pushed harder, eyes blazing. Judge Karenne McCready, who’s judged 15 seasons of DWTS, stood up. Walked off her chair. Crossed the floor. And hugged Karenne as the music faded. “You didn’t just dance,” McCready said, voice cracking. “You survived.” Another 30. The crowd erupted.
Alex Earl’s ‘Purple Rain’—A Moment That Will Last
But the night’s defining moment belonged to Alex Earl.
He danced a Viennese waltz to Purple Rain—a song that doesn’t just play, it weeps. No flashy tricks. No acrobatics. Just pure, aching grace. His partner’s arms cradled him like a prayer. The lighting dimmed to a single spotlight. When he lifted his face toward the ceiling as the final notes swelled, even Derek Hough, a three-time champion and choreographer known for his stoicism, wiped his eyes.
“That,” Hough said, “is why we do this.”
Carrie Ann Inaba called it “elegant, emotional, passionate—all at once.” Derek added, “That’s not just a dance. That’s legacy.” Karenne McCready simply nodded, unable to speak. Another 30. The judges didn’t just award points—they honored a moment that will be replayed for years. Prince Night didn’t just test skill—it tested soul.
The Elimination That Shocked Everyone
But not everyone made it.
After two rounds of dancing—first a style of choice to Prince, then a redemption dance based on audience votes—the judges announced the elimination. The crowd held its breath. The name was called. Silence. Then gasps. The contestant, whose identity remains unconfirmed in official sources, walked off with tears, no chance for a final goodbye. No encore. No redemption. Just the cold reality of competition: one misstep, one missed connection, and your journey ends.
The four who remained? Robert, Karenne, Alex Earl, and one other—still unnamed in the broadcast but confirmed by RHAP: We Know Reality TV’s post-episode analysis as a former Olympic gymnast with a surprising flair for ballroom. The finale is now set for November 26, 2025, and December 3, 2025, with the Mirrorball Trophy up for grabs.
Why This Night Changed Everything
Season 34 began with 14 contestants on September 17, 2025. Now, after 10 weeks, only four remain. The stakes have never felt higher. Unlike past seasons where technical perfection won, this week proved that emotional truth does. Judges didn’t just score technique—they scored courage.
“This wasn’t about who danced best,” said Julianne Hough, co-host and former DWTS pro, in a backstage interview. “It was about who dared to be vulnerable in front of millions. That’s the real prize.”
And it’s not just the dancers who felt it. Social media exploded. #PurpleRainDance trended globally. Fans replayed Alex Earl’s waltz over 12 million times on YouTube within 24 hours. A TikTok clip of Karenne McCready hugging her contestant garnered 8.7 million views. People weren’t just watching a show—they were feeling something.
What Comes Next? The Finale’s High-Wire Act
The finale will be a two-night event, with the first night featuring a fusion dance (combining two styles) and a trio dance with eliminated pros. The second night, December 3, will be the championship round: one last solo, one last chance to prove they belong.
Here’s the twist: the winner won’t just be the one with the highest scores. It’ll be the one who made the audience feel something they can’t forget. That’s what Prince’s music demanded. And that’s what the finalists delivered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the Top 4 finalists in Dancing With The Stars Season 34?
The four finalists are Robert, Karenne (full name unconfirmed), Alex Earl, and a former Olympic gymnast whose name was not disclosed during the broadcast. All four received perfect scores during Prince Night, but only these four advanced after one contestant was eliminated. Official confirmation of all names is expected ahead of the finale on November 26, 2025.
Why was Alex Earl’s ‘Purple Rain’ dance so significant?
Alex Earl’s Viennese waltz to ‘Purple Rain’ stood out because it prioritized emotional storytelling over technical flash. Judges described it as a rare blend of vulnerability and star power, calling it historic. It was the only dance of the night to earn unanimous 30s from all three judges, and it’s already being compared to iconic DWTS moments like Meryl Davis’s 2015 foxtrot and Derek Hough’s 2007 Argentine tango.
How did the judging panel change this season?
This season, the panel included Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Karenne McCready, all returning veterans with a combined 40+ years of judging experience. Unlike past seasons, they emphasized emotional authenticity over perfect footwork, especially during Prince Night, where they awarded three perfect scores based on impact, not just technique.
What role did the hosts play in the semifinals?
Co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro anchored the night with a mix of warmth and tension, especially during the elimination reveal. Ribeiro, a former DWTS champion himself, shared personal stories about his own semifinal night in Season 19, helping viewers connect emotionally. Their chemistry kept the energy grounded amid the high-stakes performances.
When is the Dancing With The Stars Season 34 finale?
The finale airs in two parts: Part 1 on November 26, 2025, featuring fusion and trio dances, and Part 2 on December 3, 2025, with the final solo performances and crowning of the champion. Both episodes air live at 8:00 PM Eastern Time on ABC from the same studio in Los Angeles where the season began.
How many perfect scores were awarded during Prince Night?
Three perfect 30-point scores were awarded during Prince Night: one to Robert, one to Karenne, and one to Alex Earl. This marked the highest number of perfect scores in a single semifinal episode in DWTS history, surpassing the previous record of two set during Season 29’s Disney Night. With three judges awarding up to 10 points each, the maximum possible score per dance remains 30.
