Dancing With The Stars Official Podcast

Episode 4: Disney Night Breakdown

Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Joey Graziadei
Special Guests: Mandy Moore (Choreographer), Lindsay Arnold (Former Pro & Season 25 Champion), Hilaria and Gleb

Overview

This episode celebrates one of the season’s most anticipated moments—Disney Night, in honor of Disneyland’s 70th anniversary. Host Joey Graziadei takes listeners behind-the-scenes, from the dazzling multi-character opening number to exclusive interviews with eliminated contestants Hilaria and Gleb. Mandy Moore discusses her legendary choreography, while Lindsay Arnold breaks down the night’s standout performances and dance styles with insider expertise. The episode concludes with powerful reflections on gratitude, adversity, and the magic of the ballroom.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Disney Night Opening: Behind the Magic

• Mandy Moore’s Show-Stopping Opening Number

  • Vision & Logistics: Mandy coordinated an intricate number featuring all the pros, Disneyland characters, and props (including Lumiere's hands literally on fire)—all prepared in only three hours of rehearsal.
  • Preparation Process: Mandy details her “roadmap” approach—working on music edits, envisioning wide and tight camera shots, and plotting movement with select pros before the big group rehearsal.
  • Quote (Mandy Moore, 02:34):
    “Three hours. So that’s crazy. Obviously, those pros can pick up choreography very fast, but the idea of all those moving parts in three hours—that’s unbelievable.”

• Adapting to Ballroom Choreography

  • Although not ballroom-trained, Mandy described her gradual mastery of blending commercial choreography with ballroom elements, relying on collaboration and feedback from the pro dancers.
  • Quote (Mandy Moore, 09:00):
    “I don’t do a lick of ballroom or Latin... I’ve learned how to kind of conduct and direct... Over years, you start to figure it out.”

The Method to Mandy Moore’s Choreographic “Madness”

• Process Evolution: Mandy shares how initially, the pros were wary of her commercial background, but mutual humility and respect led to successful creative partnerships. She developed unique ways to communicate with pros—including “screenshot emails” with annotated feedback to help achieve that TV-perfect synchronization.

  • Quote (Mandy Moore, 10:09):
    “I would take the wide home from camera block, screen by screen, frame by frame... and I’d give them notes, because they also didn’t believe me... ended up being something really valuable because they started to trust me.”

• Creative Terminology: Mandy is known for quirky instructional phrases (e.g., “ski, ski, ski...”), which make movement concepts stick for the dancers.

  • Quote (Mandy Moore, 11:31):
    “There was this move... I was making up with Jenna and Britt, I was like, what if we go like—‘ski, ski, ski, ski, ski’? And it started being this... everyone understood it.”

The Show's Resurgence & Cultural Impact

• Mandy notes a changing audience demographic and credits the show's triumphs to its unique ability to share the joy of dancing and personal transformation. Joey and Mandy discuss how the trend thrives on TikTok and continues to draw in new and diverse fans.

  Quote (Joey, 13:39):
  “It’s a big deal on TikTok. But what you’re talking about is the reason why it’s big on TikTok. It’s pure... there’s like a magic about it.”

Backstage Anecdotes & “High Stakes” Live TV

• Favorite Stories: Mandy recounts live mishaps, like a dancer falling through a swapped-out prop blanket and a troupe member missing a number by oversleeping—underscoring just how many elements can go wrong behind the scenes.

  • Quote (Mandy Moore, 15:06): “We go live, they definitely toss Hailey up, she goes straight through the blanket to this ballroom floor... but it was one of those moments where you’d never know—everyone just keeps going.”

• Live Performance Pressure: Mandy and Joey emphasize the unpredictability and adrenaline of live TV—if something goes awry, the pros are “cool, calm, collected... spinning plates, fire up, no problem.”

Special Projects: Taylor Swift & The Broader Choreo Career

• Mandy discusses her recent collaboration with Taylor Swift on “The Life of the Showgirl” and the music video “The Fate of Ophelia.” She highlights the creative synergy she enjoys with Taylor, noting the secrecy and thrill of their projects.

  • Quote (Mandy Moore, 17:26):
    “She is everything you want her to be... we just get each other, you know... I never would have thought I’d ever be creating alongside Taylor Swift... Now I can’t imagine not creating alongside her.”

• She compares choreographing for Taylor’s ERAS tour (stadium scale) to DWTS (live TV broadcast), commenting on the core similarities—storytelling, preparation, and working under pressure.

Performance Breakdown with Lindsay Arnold (from 20:52)

Disney Night through a Champion's Lens

• Personal Moment: Lindsay shares her joy at watching Disney Night as a mom, bringing her daughter Sage in a princess dress—a sentimental highlight.

  • Quote (Lindsay Arnold, 21:10):
    “Tonight was super special because it was the first night I was able to bring my daughter Sage in the ballroom and sit with her in the audience for the entire show.”

• The Audience Perspective: Lindsay admits she is now more anxious watching from the seats as a fan and family member than performing herself.

Technical Deep Dives: Styles & Standout Dances

Quickstep (23:13–26:40)

• Key judging points: frame, energy control (smoothness despite bouncy steps), and maintaining body contact.

• Danielle & Dylan: Praised for strong frame but noted issues with matching upper and lower body movement, and a slip in timing—a small mistake with significant impact in such a fast dance.

  Quote (Lindsay Arnold, 25:59):
  “Quickstep is one of those dances where you’re like ‘no, no, no”—there’s so many steps... if you falter, it can go awry very quickly.”

Salsa (27:10–27:42)

• Riley’s choreography contained complex salsa content, emphasizing hip action and intricate footwork.
  • Quote (Lindsay Arnold, 27:22):
    “Salsa content is a lot of that hip action... footwork with hip action incorporated, a lot of the pretzel arm movements, keeping it intimate but also projecting energy...”

Viennesse Waltz (28:24–29:52)

• Highlighted Alex & Val for elegance and technique, especially frame and neck extension. Praised Andy & Emma for heartfelt storytelling and genuine care in dance execution.
• Pivots: Explained as spinning steps requiring deep partner connection to generate speed.
  • Quote (Lindsay Arnold, 30:09):
    “You’re essentially creating like an M... your bodies are the center axis and you’re rotating around it. When you’re doing pivots really well... you actually create momentum and speed the longer you go.”

Cha Cha (31:04–33:13)

• Whitney & Robert: Commended for energy; notes on challenging technique, especially ronde (leg extension and straightening).
  • Quote (Lindsay Arnold, 33:25):
    “A ronde comes from ballet... you’re drawing a circle with your foot... straightening the leg, pointing the toe, and extending even further is what takes it to the next level.”

Foxtrot (34:38–35:50)

• Whitney and Mark: Their foxtrot to a Hamilton song was praised for intentional choreography and powerful musicality.
  • Quote (Lindsay Arnold, 35:18):
    “Every single eight count of choreography was intentional... not just a couple moves, it was very intentional.”

Jazz (35:54–36:22)

• Jen & Yan’s jazz routine was celebrated for pure fun and interpretive freedom, fitting Disney Night perfectly.

Elimination & Emotional Reflections—Hilaria & Gleb (from 37:58)

• Surprise Elimination: Both express shock at their early exit, discussing the unpredictability (“a theme this season”) and pouring gratitude into their experience.

  • Quote (Hilaria, 38:26–38:41):
    “I always live my life with gratitude. I never thought I would dance again. I’ve broken so many things. I’ve had so many babies... I also am grateful that everybody else gets to continue to dance because…we are a team.”

• Dancing for Family:

  • Hilaria’s emotional journey focused on reclaiming her love for dance and sharing it with her children. She spoke candidly about the vulnerability of competing, the challenges she faced, and the deeper lessons about women supporting women.
  • Quote (Hilaria, 45:09):
    “There’s a big problem online right now...Women’s inhumanity to women. And we need to stop because we will never get anywhere...I support them and love them, but...the bullying thing needs to stop.”

• Gleb’s Tribute:

  • Gleb praises Hilaria’s relentless work ethic, attention to detail, and creative involvement, celebrating the personal connection developed during their partnership.
  • Quote (Gleb, 44:20):
    “She was so involved in all of the creative meetings and the costumes...I was excited to go in a dance studio to rehearse with you every single day.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Preparation
  • (Mandy Moore, 02:34): “Three hours. So that’s crazy. Obviously, those pros can pick up choreography very fast, but the idea of all those moving parts in three hours—that’s unbelievable.”
• On Trust & Adaptation
  • (Mandy Moore, 10:09): “I would take the wide home from camera block...and I’d give them notes, because they also didn’t believe me... it ended up being something really valuable because they started to trust me.”
• On Show’s Magic
  • (Joey, 13:39): “It’s a big deal on TikTok. But...it’s pure...there’s like a magic about it.”
• On Dancing for Family
  • (Hilaria, 40:40): “Yeah. Now. Yeah. I feel like I’ve let my kids down.”
• On Women Supporting Women
  • (Hilaria, 45:09): “Women’s inhumanity to women...the bullying thing needs to stop.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:27: Disney Night intro and episode overview
• 01:49: Mandy Moore joins—discussion of opening number logistics
• 03:33: Mandy’s history on DWTS
• 05:38: Mandy’s method for choreographing group numbers
• 10:08: Bridging commercial and ballroom choreography—anecdotes
• 11:31: Mandy’s fun choreography terminology
• 13:39: The show’s resurgence and new audiences
• 15:06: Behind-the-scenes mishaps
• 17:24: Experiences choreographing for Taylor Swift
• 20:52: Lindsay Arnold on Disney Night as a mom and former pro
• 23:13–26:40: Quickstep breakdown (detailed technical analysis)
• 27:10: Salsa evaluation (Riley’s choreography and content)
• 28:24: Viennese Waltz highlights—difference in approaches
• 29:52: Pivot explanation and why it’s technically difficult
• 31:04: Cha Cha breakdown—technique challenges (ronde)
• 34:38: Foxtrot analysis—intentional choreography (Whitney & Mark)
• 35:54: Jazz routine—interpretation liberty (Jen & Yan)
• 37:58: Hilaria & Gleb—Elimination reaction and emotional reflections
• 45:09: Hilaria’s message about women’s online conduct and support

Conclusion

This Disney Night episode brings listeners deep into the mechanics, artistry, and raw emotions that make Dancing with the Stars uniquely magical. Mandy Moore’s behind-the-scenes mastery, Lindsay Arnold’s detailed dance breakdowns, and the heartfelt farewell from Hilaria and Gleb offer a multi-layered look at what makes the ballroom so powerful for viewers and contestants alike. The episode closes with reminders of empathy, resilience, and the enduring joy of dance.