‘Dancing With the Stars’ Week 3 Ends With Taylor Hanson’s Shocking Elimination
Taylor Hanson’s run on Dancing With the Stars came to an unexpected end Tuesday night, as the Season 35 competition delivered another surprising elimination during Yacht Rock Night.
With just 13 couples remaining, every performance carried added pressure. The contestants were asked to put their own spin on soft-rock favorites with a variety of Latin-style dances, while viewers once again played a major role in deciding who would stay.
Yacht Rock Night raises the stakes
Week 3 followed the emotional departure of celebrity chef Giada DeLaurentiis and her partner, Alan Bernsten, who were eliminated the previous week.
The result was another reminder that strong performances on the judges’ leaderboard do not necessarily guarantee safety. During the first two weeks, neither eliminated couple had finished at the bottom based solely on the judges’ scores. Viewer voting has continued to play a significant role in reshaping the results.
For the third episode, the remaining couples performed Latin-inspired routines set to familiar yacht-rock and soft-rock songs.
Here is what each of the 13 teams performed:
- Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov performed a Foxtrot to “Hold the Line” by Toto.
- Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart performed a Foxtrot to “What a Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers.
- Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson danced a Jive to “You Make My Dreams (Come True)” by Daryl Hall & John Oates.
- Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson performed a Foxtrot to “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes.
- Jackson Olson and Emma Slater danced a Paso Doble to “Easy Lover” by Philip Bailey & Phil Collins.
- Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik performed a Quickstep to “Maneater” by Daryl Hall & John Oates.
- Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach danced a Foxtrot to “Just the Two of Us” by Grover Washington Jr., featuring Bill Withers.
- Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess performed a Jive to “Still the One” by Orleans.
- Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold danced a Foxtrot to “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac.
- Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas performed a Quickstep to “Turn Your Love Around” by George Benson.
- Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong danced a Cha Cha to “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross.
- Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa performed a Salsa to “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do)” by Daryl Hall & John Oates.
- Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy danced a Samba to “Africa” by Toto.
Taylor Hanson is eliminated
After two hours of competition, the judges’ scores placed Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, and Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas at the top of the leaderboard.
At the other end were Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, and Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess.
Once the judges’ scores were combined with the viewer votes, three couples faced elimination:
- Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson
- Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart
- Jackson Olson and Emma Slater
Hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonzo Ribeiro then delivered the news that sent one of the season’s most recognizable contestants home: Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart.
The result was particularly notable because Guillermo Rodriguez survived once again, despite receiving the lowest scores from the judges each week. The article points to his substantial online fan support as a key factor in his continued run.
The announcement prompted an audible gasp from the live audience. Hanson had been a fan favorite from the start and had built considerable support among viewers online.
Taylor Hanson reflects on his time on the show
Hanson, best known as the lead singer of the boy band Hanson and the voice behind “MMMBop,” reflected on the experience after learning that his journey had come to an end.
He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and for everything Stewart had taught him throughout the competition.
“This has been everything. This has been incredible. [Britt] has shown me things I didn’t think were possible, and I’m so grateful for this time.”
Hanson and Stewart’s final performance marked the end of their Dancing With the Stars journey after three weeks of competition.
Fans react to the unexpected result
The elimination quickly sparked strong reactions across social media, with many viewers expressing disappointment that Hanson and Stewart had been sent home.
One fan questioned the voting results, writing:
“I have no idea what’s going on with this voting on dancing with the stars [sic]. You cannot be serious. Keeping this guy on a dance competition and sending good dancers home absolutely pathetic.”
Another viewer posted on X:
“They took out the MMMBop, I don’t accept this, oh Dancing with the Stars, step up your game.”
Other viewers shared their reactions on Facebook, with one writing, “I can’t believe Brit and Taylor went home, not okay!!!” Another called the outcome “absurd” and said the wrong dancer had gone home.
With Hanson and Stewart eliminated, 12 teams remain in the Season 35 competition.
The remaining couples will return to ABC next Tuesday, October 6, for Mariah Carey Night.
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