DWTS Disney Night Elimination: Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb Savchenko Out, Record Votes

Oct, 8 2025

When Hilaria Baldwin and her professional partner Gleb Savchenko were told they were going home on Disney Night, the studio fell silent for a heartbeat. The elimination, announced by co‑hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, marked the fourth couple to leave DWTS Season 34 and sent a ripple through the fan community.

The episode aired on Monday, October 7, 2025, as part of a specially‑produced Disney Night that celebrated the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort. It wasn’t just another themed night; it became a voting milestone. Over 40.2 million votes were cast, shattering the previous week’s record of 35.6 million and setting a new high for any episode in the show’s 34‑year history.

Disney Night Spectacle and Record‑Breaking Votes

The opening number was a glittering tribute to classic Disney magic, choreographed by Mandy Moore (no, not the pop singer – the veteran dance director). Set to "Be Our Guest" from *Beauty and the Beast*, the routine featured a surprise cameo by dancer Danny Gardner, whose moonwalk across a giant ballroom table earned a standing ovation.

All eleven remaining couples tackled Disney‑inspired routines – from a jazzy “Under the Sea” homage to a regal “Circle of Life” performance. The creative directors said the night was "the most enchanting" of the season, and the numbers showed why: the Disney Night Los Angeles generated a 13 % jump in voting volume compared with the previous episode.

The Elimination Shock: Baldwin & Savchenko’s Exit

Despite their strong connection on the dance floor, Baldwin and Savchenko fell into the bottom two after judges’ scores were combined with the historic voter turnout. According to a backstage source, their combined score landed at 24.3 points – just shy of the safety line.

"We gave it everything we had," Baldwin told reporters after the results. "It hurts, but the fans were amazing, and I’m grateful for this experience." Savchenko, a veteran of the show since Season 27, added, "The competition is fierce, and every week feels like a new battle. I’m proud of what we accomplished together."

The couple’s departure left ten couples still vying for the mirror‑ball trophy. Their exit also sparked a debate on social media: some fans argued that Baldwin’s limited dance background put her at a disadvantage, while others praised the professionalism of her partnership with Savchenko.

Andy’s Unexpected Survival and Fan Reaction

Adding another layer of intrigue, contestant Andy (full name Andy Hernandez) survived yet another week despite two prior close calls. "Another shocker," a source close to the production described his continued stay. Andy’s Walt Disney‑themed Latin routine earned a judge’s score of 27.0, a slight bump that, when paired with a surge of 1.8 million votes, kept him safe.

Fans took to Twitter and Reddit, coining the hashtag #AndyStays, while others expressed frustration, saying the voting system favored celebrity name‑recognition over technical merit. The network’s executive producer, Katherine Liu, responded in a press release, "Our voting system balances judges’ expertise with audience enthusiasm. The outcome reflects the viewers’ love for Andy’s charisma and growth."

Judges, Hosts, and the Scoring Dynamics

The judging panel this season remains unchanged: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, and Tyra Banks. Their comments on Baldwin and Savchenko’s Disney duet were mixed – Inaba praised the emotional storytelling, Goodman noted a "missed technical beat" mid‑lift, and Banks called the routine "pure heart" but "lacking polish."

Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough kept the mood light, cracking jokes between segments. Ribeiro quipped, "I thought we’d see a ‘Mickey‑mouse’ move, but we got ‘Mickey‑magic’ instead!" Hough added, "If only all eliminations could be this dramatic – I’d binge‑watch this forever."

The scoring formula this season gives 50 % weight to judges’ scores and 50 % to audience votes. With the record turnout on Disney Night, a few extra thousand votes could swing the outcome, which explains why Baldwin and Savchenko’s margin was razor‑thin.

What This Means for the Rest of Season 34

With ten couples left, the competition intensifies. The next theme, announced as “Broadway‑Broadway,” will test contestants’ ability to blend narrative storytelling with intricate footwork. “The bar has been raised,” says senior choreographer Renee Ritchie. “We saw Disney magic, now we’ll need Broadway sparkle."

Analysts from Variety predict a tighter leaderboard, with voter engagement projected to stay above 38 million per episode. The network, ABC, has confirmed that the next episode will air on October 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET.

• Record: 40.2 million votes – highest ever for a single DWTS episode.
• Eliminated: Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb Savchenko (Week 4).
• Remaining couples: 10.
• Next theme: Broadway‑Broadway (Oct 14).
• Judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Tyra Banks.

Whether Disney’s enchantment will linger or be eclipsed by Broadway’s spotlight, one thing’s clear: Season 34 has become the most competitive and vote‑driven chapter in DWTS history.