New York: After a surprising exit from Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) Season 34, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas refused to let their journey end with an abrupt elimination. On November 26, 2025, the two reunited for one final performance — this time on the popular podcast Call Her Daddy — giving fans a graceful and emotional send-off in the form of a freestyle dance that delivered closure, catharsis and hope.
From DWTS shock exit to podcast stage
During the semi-final “Prince Night” of DWTS on November 18, 2025, Leavitt and Ballas delivered two technically strong performances: a cha-cha to “1999” and a Viennese waltz to “Slow Love.” Judges awarded them a total of 58/60 — among the highest of the night.
Despite their high score, they were eliminated, reportedly due to insufficient audience votes. The decision shocked many, especially as the pair had topped the leaderboards multiple times during the season.
Following the elimination, Leavitt described the experience as bittersweet: grateful for the journey but emotionally drained, likening the abrupt end of rehearsals and connections to a breakup.
Given how invested many fans were — for their stage presence, performance skills and resilience — it was clear that simply bowing out after elimination wouldn’t provide the closure both the artistes and viewers deserved.
Must Read: Reddit List of Best ‘Out of Character Podcast’ Episodes
The Call Her Daddy Special: A Platform for Reflection — and Dance
Enter Call Her Daddy. On November 25, the podcast — hosted by Alex Cooper — announced a special episode featuring Leavitt and Ballas. The announcement revealed that despite their elimination, fans would get to see the duo perform their highly anticipated freestyle routine after all. The drop was timed for November 26 at 8 p.m. ET.
As soon as the video went live, fans started tuning in en masse. Within the first hour, the clip had already amassed over 170,000 views — many eager to witness what turned out to be a heart-wrenching yet powerful final dance.
In the video’s description, Cooper teased more than just a dance: a raw conversation about their DWTS journey, the elimination shock, social media backlash, and finally — the long-awaited freestyle. “Whitney and Mark reflect on their shocking elimination … address this season’s biggest controversies … and finally perform their highly anticipated freestyle dance,” the bio read.
What the Final Dance Represented
For Whitney and Mark, this performance carried more than choreography and rhythm. According to Mark Ballas, the freestyle was an emotional journey — meant to capture not just the highs of performing but also the “moments of darkness and pain” they experienced during the season.
Their story was not just about dance. The couple had to face harsh fan backlash, much of which targeted Whitney due to her past as a reality-TV star and stirred social-media sentiment. The pair even revealed in the podcast how hurtful some of the messages were — with online trolls sending hateful messages that dragged both their personal and professional lives into the public sphere.
Mark admitted that it was difficult for him to see Whitney endure this alone. And Whitney — whose background included modern dance but not necessarily ballroom dancing — explained how ballroom had forced her to grow, learn, and rediscover not just dance, but confidence and resilience.
Thus, the freestyle wasn’t just a performance. It was a statement — a final bow that acknowledged their journey, the pain they endured, the love they found in dance, and perhaps, the possibility of new beginnings.
Fan Reaction: Emotion, Closure & A Bittersweet Farewell
As expected, fans flooded the comments section with emotional reactions. Many admitted they skipped to the end just to watch the dance first — only to rewind and watch the conversation again. Comments ranged from emotional (“I’m already crying!!”) to full of admiration (“Whitney and Mark deserve nothing but the best”).
Several fans called the dance “beautiful,” applauding the pair for their vulnerability and courage to finish the season on their own terms. Others expressed regret that the judges-judged portion alone couldn’t keep them in — but found solace in this final performance’s artistry and rawness. For many, the moment felt like closure. For others, like the beginning of a new chapter — maybe in future projects, or perhaps on stage once again.
Why This Reunion Matters — Both for Stars and Fans
- Closure beyond elimination: Their reunion and final dance gave both the dancers and their audience a sense of closure — an opportunity to celebrate their journey beyond the competition’s vote tally.
- A voice against social-media toxicity: By using a popular podcast as platform, Whitney and Mark called attention to the toxicity and critique common in reality-TV fandoms — making their mental and emotional well-being part of the public conversation.
- Artistry over outcome: Their freestyle underscored that dance is not merely competition — it’s expression, storytelling, emotion. For many critics and fans alike, that message resonated more than any trophy could.
- Impact on podcast-platform crossover: The move also highlights a rising trend: blending reality TV with digital media platforms like podcasts and YouTube — giving artists more space for reflection, beyond the constraints of traditional TV formats.
What’s Next for Whitney & Mark — And What Fans Should Watch
While neither has announced an official project, this final dance leaves many possibilities open. After all, their chemistry, resilience, and readiness to take risks have already resonated with fans worldwide.
For fans of Whitney, the hope lies in her returning to the spotlight — perhaps via dance, reality TV, or even broader entertainment projects. For Mark Ballas, this could mark a shift away from traditional competition to independent creative work — choreography, dance theatre, or even mentorship.
Meanwhile, the success of this podcast-based performance might encourage other reality-TV stars to seek similar platforms, bridging the gap between short-lived TV arcs and longer-lasting digital content.
Must: ‘The Healing Frequency’: Podcaster Matt McCusker Reveals First North American Tour
The reunion of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas on Call Her Daddy wasn’t just a final dance — it was a powerful statement. After a surprising elimination from Dancing With the Stars, they refused to let the story end on a note of disappointment. Instead, with vulnerability, artistry and mutual respect, they crafted a farewell that felt honest, emotional and deeply human.
For fans, it offered closure. For Whitney and Mark, a redemption of sorts — not defined by votes or popularity, but by dance, truth, and courage. And perhaps, for the larger entertainment world — a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful performances come not at the end of a competition, but at the end of a chapter.
