We are only four weeks into the new season of “Dancing with the Stars,” and it has quickly become one of the show’s most competitive seasons to date. With many strong competitors, it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict who will make it to the finale. This past week was the show’s annual Disney night, where each star performed a piece dedicated to a ride from the Disneyland parks or any Disney-owned franchise.
Leading the pack is star of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” Whitney Leavitt, along with her partner, pro Mark Ballas. The duo scored a 25/30 for their Foxtrot to “The Room Where It Happens” from the Broadway musical, “Hamilton.” Since week one, Leavitt and Ballas have been the top scorers each week, even receiving the first nine of the season.
Following behind Leavitt, in a three-way tie for second is Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles with Pro Ezra Sosa; TikTok star Alix Earle with pro Val Chmerkovskiy; and actress Elaine Hedrix with Pro Alan Bersten, with each scoring a 24/30 for their respective dances.
On the same night, the show said goodbye to yoga instructor Hilaria Baldwin, who is the wife of actor Alec Baldwin, during the show’s elimination. She likely had a strong chance of making it far, had it not been for the harsh backlash she received online. DWTS fans claimed it to be unfair for the star to compete, especially with her previous ballroom dance experience.
My personal favorite is wildlife conservationist, Robert Irwin, the son of the late Steve Irwin. Although his performance quality has somewhat taken a dip in recent weeks, he still has a positive spirit that is hard not to root for.
Another contestant worth voting for is actress Elaine Hendrix. Her performances each week have left me speechless, especially given her natural stage presence and dance technique. In the early 1990s, the actress experienced a life-altering car accident that left her unable to dance. Given that, it’s inspiring to see her get on the ballroom floor and find joy in a past love of hers.
Scott Hoying, a member of the Grammy-winning a cappella group Pentatonix, performed a fun-filled salsa to “Bop to the Top” from the Disney Channel movie “High School Musical.” Along with his pro partner Rylee Arnold, the pair channeled their inner Sharpay and Ryan and did not disappoint.
A contestant who has consistently pulled at the audience’s heartstrings is actor and comedian Andy Richter. Though not the strongest of the pack, with scores falling towards the bottom of the leaderboard since week one, he still creates memorable moments that have kept DWTS fans wanting more.
One contestant who, although she did not have a great start, has recently performed electrifying routines in the last two weeks is Jordan Chiles. Out of all contestants this season, I had my bets set on her. Given the track record for Olympians on the show to make it several weeks in, she had a strong chance of doing well. With her competitive spirit and dedication to improving each week, she is among the stars I feel have the strongest chance at making the finale.
Robert Irwin also has a chance at a finale spot, as he seems to be this season’s fan favorite. He comes into this season with big shoes to fill following his older sister, Bindi Irwin, who won the show ten years ago with former pro turned judge, Derek Hough.
Actor Dylan Efron has been a surprisingly great performer in the past few weeks. Out of all the stars this season, he has shown the most dedication to improving his technique, proving that he has taken the judges’ critiques seriously.
Jen Affleck, another star of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” though a solid competitor, so far has had the more forgettable performances. However, she does have a strong possibility at making it far due to her popularity on her reality show.
Before Disney week, I would have said Alix Earle wouldn’t have a strong chance at making it to the finals. However, her performance of “Once Upon a Dream” from the Disney film “Maleficent” blew me away. Her ability to step into character and become a different person truly shows that she is dedicated to bringing powerful performances this season.
Based on popularity and performance on the show, my predictions for the finale would be Robert Irwin in first place, Whitney Leavitt in second, and Jordan Chiles in third.
You can catch new episodes of Dancing with the Stars every Tuesday at 8pm on ABC, and available the next day on Hulu.
