Dancing with the Stars Official Podcast
Episode 10: Semi-Finals Breakdown
Release Date: November 20, 2025
Host: Joey Fatone (& BBC Studios)
Guests: Kaitlyn Bristowe, Xochitl Gomez, Daniella Swentner, Steven Lee, Whitney, Mark, and more
Overview
This episode delivers a comprehensive breakdown of the Season 34 Dancing with the Stars semi-finals, including heartfelt cast interviews, expert performance analysis, behind-the-scenes secrets from the costume department, and exclusive reveals like the finale’s freestyle song selections. The atmosphere is celebratory but poignant, marking the emotional journeys of the departing contestants and anticipation for next week’s Mirrorball Trophy showdown.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Stage: Semi-Final Stakes & Results (05:01–09:03)
- Semi-finals theme: “Prince Night.”
- Competition Format: Each couple performed two dances in different styles.
- Top of the Leaderboard: Robert and Whitney.
- Eliminated: Sadly, Whitney and Mark’s journey ends here.
- Finalists Announced: Elaine & Alan, Alex & Val, Dylan & Daniella, Jordan & Ezra, Robert & Whitney.
2. Kaitlyn Bristowe Reflects—Alumni Perspective & Emotional Highs (02:35–14:44)
- On Returning to the Ballroom:
Kaitlyn recalls the thrill:- “I'm still pinching myself. ... It's my Super Bowl.” (03:38)
- Favorite DWTS Memory:
- Her Argentine tango to Britney Spears’ “Toxic” “was the best,” and Artem was Emmy-nominated for the choreography. (04:22)
- Judging This Season:
- Kaitlyn reacts emotionally to Whitney’s elimination (“It just broke my heart because she really is such a sweetheart, and she wanted it so bad.” – 05:21), expressing frustration with backlash over dance experience.
- Insight on “Having a Dance Background”:
She clarifies that prior dance training isn’t always an advantage due to the difficulty of unlearning for ballroom.- “I thought of it as a disadvantage ... I found it so challenging.” (06:13)
- Finale Advice:
- “It all goes by so fast that you gotta enjoy each moment... I go, this is like ... my Stanley Cup.” (13:28)
3. Performance Highlights & Standout Moments (09:03–14:44)
- Alex Earl’s Viennese Waltz described as “absolutely stunning.”
- Elaine’s Paso Doble:
- “That paso was sick. It was fire. She hit it hard.” (09:17)
- Judges’ critiques high; shifted the night’s competitive energy.
- “I felt her dance in my bones. … I want hype people like that in my life.” (09:38–09:52)
- Dylan & Daniella’s Cha Cha:
- “His hips are phenomenal. They don’t lie. ... It makes him more powerful.” (10:11–10:28)
- Zac Efron’s Appearance:
Special audience moments for Dylan; added to the night’s excitement. - Jordan & Ezra’s Argentine Tango:
- “She was so clean ... She finally got the perfect score she deserved.” (11:34–11:47)
4. Finale Preview: Freestyle Songs Revealed (15:02–16:29)
Joey presents the exclusive finale freestyle song list, sparking predictions and excitement:
- Robert & Whitney: “Black and Gold” (Sam Sparrow) / “The Nights” (Avicii) [Mashup].
- Alex & Val: “Man Eater” (Nelly Furtado) / “Sportscar” (Tate McRae) [Mashup].
- Dylan & Daniella: “Something in the Heavens” (Lewis Capaldi).
- Jordan & Ezra: “Motivation” (Normani).
- Elaine & Alan: “I Hope I Get It” (District 78).
5. Xochitl Gomez: Winner’s Insights & Season Reflection (17:51–28:03)
- On Returning as a Past Champion:
She shares jive nerves and thrill at stepping into the “hot seat,” emphasizing the importance of dance partnership and the bittersweet feeling as finale looms.- “The thing is, in the finale...that's your last dance. That's it. … It was really difficult.” (20:57)
- On DWTS Strategy & Partnership:
- “I just want to have fun.” (24:03)
- “Leaning onto your pro ... is really important.” (27:22)
- Semifinal Significance:
- “Semifinals can win the finale.” (24:48)
- Rooting for Robert:
- “I'm telling you right now, I was in the room...he's doing it. He's a dancer putting in that work.” (26:52)
- Final Week Advice:
- “At this point it’s just about having fun and savoring it as much as you can. Make the day go slower.” (27:51)
6. Costume Department Deep Dive—Behind the Sparkle (29:23–41:04)
- Guests: Daniella Swentner (women’s costumes) & Steven Lee (men’s costumes).
- Their Tenure: 18–19 years, “since season three.”
- Weekly Costume Creation:
- Only 1 week to go from initial creative brief to custom-made, stage-ready costumes.
- Each Monday: “First time you wear the costume is two hours before the show.” (38:00)
- Hand-placed rhinestones, custom fabrics, and up to $5,000 per women's dress and $3,000 per men's outfit.
- Most Memorable Costumes:
- The more complex “simple” designs, and Sadie Robertson’s foxtrot dress with 25,000 crystals (~$10,000). (35:20)
- Costume Storage/Recycling:
- Most stored and sometimes repurposed for tours or ensemble numbers.
- Shoe Science:
- “A different heel height for every dance ... it’s a science.”
- Quick Changes:
- “It’s fast ... you have only that commercial break to do a quick change.”
- Sweat management is real: “I have sweaty pits ... just, it's gonna be sweaty.” (39:42)
7. Whitney & Mark Interview—A Bittersweet Farewell (42:29–53:35)
- Reaction to Elimination:
- Whitney: “It kind of feels like a breakup, if I'm being honest. But … I'm beyond grateful.” (42:49, 46:11)
- Mark celebrates her performance energy: “The thing about Whitney I really admire is just how dynamic she is. ... You can’t teach that.” (43:34)
- Favorite Routine:
- Both recall their Argentine Tango/perfect score as a hard-earned highlight.
- On Dance Evolution:
- Whitney shares the struggle transitioning from solo dance to ballroom:
- “Even with a dance background, I'm so used to dancing by myself. Mark would tell me multiple times, let. Me lead, like, I'm the leader.” (47:16–47:25)
- Whitney shares the struggle transitioning from solo dance to ballroom:
- Reflections on Social Media Pressures:
- Mark: “The social media of it all is very new and can be quite difficult at times … there were some really tough weeks.” (51:24)
- Both highlight their mutual support through ups and downs.
- What Competing Has Meant:
- Whitney: “There was like this light inside me that lit up and ... that I will forever be grateful for.” (50:08)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
Kaitlyn Bristowe, on being back:
“I'm still pinching myself ... It's my Super Bowl.” (03:38) -
On the heartbreak of elimination:
“It just broke my heart because she really is such a sweetheart, and she wanted it so bad.” – Kaitlyn (05:21) -
On dance experience not always being an edge:
“I thought of it as a disadvantage ... I found it so challenging.” – Kaitlyn (06:13) -
On the changing semifinal energy:
“That paso was sick. It was fire. She hit it hard.” – Kaitlyn (09:17) -
On making costumes:
“We only have a week to make everything, and everything's custom made.” – Daniella Swentner (30:31) -
On partnership in dance:
“Leaning onto your pro and also just ... being there for each other and having fun and dancing, not just on your own, but dancing with the person that you're paired with is really important.” – Xochitl Gomez (27:22) -
On the afterglow of DWTS:
“There was like this light inside me that lit up ... and I found that light and it like lit up while experiencing this.” – Whitney (50:08) -
On the pressure of live quick-changes:
“The first time they wear the costume is like two hours before the show ... that's really, like, nerve-wracking.” – Daniella Swentner (38:00)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Opening & Results Recap: 05:01–09:03
- Kaitlyn Bristowe’s Alumni View: 02:35–14:44
- Finale Freestyle Songs Revealed: 15:02–16:29
- Xochitl Gomez’s Reflections: 17:51–28:03
- Costume Team Interview: 29:23–41:04
- Whitney & Mark’s Exit Interview: 42:29–53:35
Tone & Atmosphere
The episode weaves high energy, humor, and emotion; the hosts and guests banter effortlessly while digging into the nuances of performance, resilience, and creative production. The blend of candid confession (“It kind of feels like a breakup, if I'm being honest.”), unfiltered fun, and immense gratitude is reflective of DWTS's spirit.
In Summary:
A must-listen episode giving fans unprecedented access to the emotional, technical, and creative intensity of Dancing with the Stars’ semi-finals—complete with vivid storytelling, expert dissections, exclusive teasers, and heartfelt goodbyes as the finalists gear up for the finale.