Danielle With The Stars – “Sharna Burgess in the 4th Chair: Disney Night”

Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Sharna Burgess (with commentary on Danielle Fishel’s DWTS journey)
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts – Danielle With The Stars

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into “Disney Night” on Dancing with the Stars, with longtime pro and judge Sharna Burgess critiquing each couple’s performance. Sharna breaks down technical dance elements and production nuances, highlighting areas of growth and standout moments. The focus is on providing fans and new viewers with behind-the-scenes insight, context for judge critiques, and a greater appreciation for what it takes to shine on the ballroom floor. Danielle Fishel’s quickstep with Pasha is a featured topic, along with a breakdown of every performance, scoring controversies, and “what makes a dance memorable.”

Main Topics & Detailed Breakdown

Sharna’s Purpose and Judging Philosophy

[02:25]

• Sharna introduces herself as a former DWTS pro, current judge (Australia), and social media dance critic.
  • Started critiquing on TikTok to explain judge feedback in more detail and bridge the gap for new fans.
  • Uses her own “harsher” scoring system: “We definitely start a lot lower. It’s probably going to come off a little bit harsh to some of you. I promise you’ll get used to me.” (Sharna, 03:30)
• Plans to blend technical explanations (“heel leads,” “frame,” etc.) with constructive critique and fan-friendly commentary.

Disney Night – General Thoughts

[03:55]

• Sharna attended the episode live: “Disney Night always goes big. You know, there’s always a little bit more production in it. The music is stuff that we know and it always just feels magical, as it should. Right? It’s Disney.” (03:55)
• High praise for set pieces, opening number, and overall contestant improvement.

Performance-by-Performance Analysis

Dylan & Danny: Quickstep (“Cars”)

[05:03]

• Judges’ Comments:
  • Derek: “Quickstep King… left arm strong, right arm coming in.” Urges sharper head movements.
  • Bruno: Positive about technical progress.
  • Carrie Ann: Praises understanding of momentum and swing.
• Sharna’s Take:
  • Technical improvements (better posture, “booty was not out”).
  • Critique: Needs more dynamics, musicality, “light and shade.”
  • Score: Gave a 6 (“in between a six and a seven, and I landed on a six for Dylan…” (10:00))

Danielle & Pasha: Quickstep

[11:20]

• Judges’ Comments:
  • Bruno: Loved the fun and energy; mentioned a mistake.
  • Carrie Ann: Noted end-of-dance mistake—“looked like she was being tossed around.”
  • Derek: Praised quickstep content; lindy hop “out of sync”; “second half was on fire.”
• Sharna’s Analysis:
  • Highlights Danielle’s improvement and technical “wow.” Charleston swivel action “so sharp” (14:45).
  • Mistake likely during leg flicks at end; camera made it hard to spot.
  • Frame held strong but the Lindy Hop section “wasn’t quite as crisp and clean.”
  • “I really think she stood out when she was in her quickstep in frame sections… I think this had the wow.” (15:25)
  • Suggests finding more “power” and dynamic moments.
  • Scoring controversy: Danielle got all 7s; Dylan scored higher, which Sharna finds “interesting” and contrary to level of technical quality.
  • Sharna’s Score: 7

Scott & Riley: Salsa (“High School Musical”)

[20:13]

• “My favorite routine of his that I’ve seen… I loved this.” (20:20)
• Judges’ Comments:
  • Carrie Ann: Praises confidence, notes missed hand connection.
  • Derek: “Proper salsa… amazing.”
  • Bruno: Great showmanship, calls out same hand mishap.
• Sharna’s Notes:
  • Impressed by energy, character, and growth.
  • Wants more attention to clean footwork and even bigger movements (play into his tall frame).
  • Score: Leaning toward 7

Alex & Val: Viennese Waltz (“Maleficent”)

[24:13]

• Standout storytelling and connection, particularly in the “manipulation of Val.”
• Judges’ Comments:
  • Derek: “Mesmerizing, spellbinding… her best dance.”
  • Bruno: “Dance as storytelling… became someone else.”
  • Carrie Ann: Notes growing partnership, “allowing Val to lead her.”
• Sharna’s Critique:
  • Applauds dance texture (“arms need to feel like they are moving through quicksand” (28:40)).
  • Calls out gapping and disconnect in the frame; suggests “leaning into allowing Val to lead more.”
  • Score: 8
  • Almost gave a 7 due to “gapping and bumpiness… but the beginning and after that was so strong.” (29:15)

Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb: Quickstep (Star Wars theme)

[32:00]

• Judges’ Comments:
  • Bruno: Impressed, “looking for mistakes and he didn’t see any.”
  • Carrie Ann: “Real contender… spoke on female experience.”
  • Derek: “Wanted more quickstep in it; needs to find what sets her apart.”
• Sharna’s Breakdown:
  • Music tempo likely couldn’t be altered (“probably the first thing you do as a pro—play with the tempo—… but Star Wars, Lucas wouldn’t allow it”). (32:54)
  • Praises content and complexity but notes long sections “out of hold” may have cost them.
  • “She started a little half-beat off… but testament to her, she picked it up.”
  • Missed connection and chemistry—felt it wasn’t “fun” on the floor.
  • Ultimately, Hilaria was eliminated (expresses sympathy).
  • Judges’ Scores: 8–7–8
  • Sharna: Would have scored 8 for complexity

Andy & Emma: Viennese Waltz

[38:16]

• “He is like this, a toddler and a grown man all in one body, and you just want to, like, hang out with him…” (38:20)
• Judges’ Comments:
  • Carrie Ann: “Memorable… wants more content, lead with body, not arms.”
  • Derek: Bigger frame, arms (“demonstrated… looked way better”).
  • Bruno: Costume comment; “no real dance notes.”
• Sharna’s Take:
  • Calls for more execution of technique seen in rehearsals to show up on live shows.
  • Wants Emma to challenge Andy more (“if he can’t, then it is what it is…”).
  • “He is what this show was built on… a human being that has never, ever done this thing in their life, doing it on national television, being completely vulnerable…” (42:22)
  • Judges’ Score: 6–6–6
  • Sharna’s Score: 4 (“And that’s not that I don’t love him—I do!”)

Robert Irwin & Whitney: Cha Cha

[47:31]

• Judges’ Comments:
  • Derek: “Irwin aura… called out some weird arms… the ronde needing a leg extension.”
  • Bruno: “Clean, clear, sweet, timing great.”
  • Carrie Ann: Needs “more flow instead of flex.”
• Sharna’s Observations:
  • Notes stiffness, flat-footed movements, and “no real stretch.” Praises Cuban breaks and performance presence.
  • “It was a tango energy with cha cha steps… very staccato.” (52:41)
  • Notes high expectations due to early strong performances have masked that Robert is still learning basic dance technique.
  • Judges’ score: 7–7–8
  • Sharna’s Score: 6

Elaine & Alan: Quickstep (“Space Mountain”)

[55:00]

• Judges’ Comments: All raved, no technical notes.
• Sharna’s View:
  • Calls out small issues with “shoulders as earrings” (lifting up due to speed).
  • Stresses core strength for sustainable energy, power, and smoother lines.
  • Praises their creative approach to a nontraditional (“handicapped”) Disney song.
  • “I was a big fan of what they created to it…” (57:45)
  • Judges’ Score: 8–8–8
  • Sharna’s Score: 8

Whitney & Mark: Foxtrot (“Hamilton”)

[59:00]

• “Standout performance of the night, if not of many seasons from the past. Like this was spectacular.” (59:18)
• Judges’ Comments:
  • Carrie Ann: “Words on words on words. There’s Mark’s foxtrot.”
  • All note Mark’s creativity in blending choreography, lighting, and production.
• Sharna’s Perspective:
  • Masterful use of camera, lighting, costume—“the number was so beautifully styled and musical in its storytelling.”
  • If later in the season, “it’d be tens across the board.”
  • Notes slight lack of “in-frame” content for technical purists but says that’s outweighed by excellence of execution.
  • Praises partner chemistry—“her freak matches his freak and I am here for it.” (64:07)
  • Judges’ Score: 9–8–8
  • Sharna’s Score: 8 (would want a touch more in-frame, “as a judge”)

Jordan & Ezra: Ballroom

[69:11]

• Sharna “big fan” of Ezra’s adaptability and sacrifice for the partnership’s height difference.
• Judges’ Comments: All positive on precision and performance.
• Sharna’s Critique:
  • Ballroom will be a technical challenge due to height, but they compensated admirably.
  • Jordan has great “flexible back and neck” for extending lines; “giving me, as I call it, palm tree.”
  • No major technical notes; looks forward to future Latin/alternative dances.

Jen & Yan: Jazz (“Aladdin”)

[72:55]

• Judges’ Comments:
  • Carrie Ann: “Didn’t hit it for her.”
  • Derek: Praises backwards walkover but not much more.
  • Bruno: (remarks not recorded)
• Sharna’s Feedback:
  • Had high expectations (Yan’s wheelhouse), but dance “missed something… fell flat for me.”
  • Calls out lack of production energy, “camera was very still and stagnant” (74:20).
  • Notes need for more ground coverage, less time spent on tricks, and bolder musicality.
  • Technical note: Needs more point in feet, better “biscuit” (flexed foot) correction.
  • Praises Jen’s capability, urges Yan to help her break out and stand out.
  • Judges’ Score: 7–8–8
  • Sharna’s Score: 7

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On judging and critiques:
  “Sometimes they have some 25 seconds or 5 seconds. It all depends on what’s going on in the episode… And not very often, I think, do they get to fully express their point and go into as much detail as they want to.” (Sharna, 02:49)

• On Danielle’s progress:
  “In those ballroom dances, she looks beautiful out in that frame. Just really getting out there and sticking to it and keep building on having more dynamics, more wow moments in there.” (16:50)

• On the DWTS spirit:
  “He is what this show was built on, you know… a human being that has never, ever done this thing in their life, doing it on national television, being completely vulnerable…” (Andy, 42:22)

• On Mark & Whitney’s foxtrot:
  “What I love watching about Whitney and Mark is that she is one of the few partners I’ve seen him have that can match his animation… her freak matches his freak type of thing and I am here for it.” (64:07)

Scoring Overview (Sharna’s Perspective)

| Couple | Dance Type | Sharna’s Score | Judge Avg | |----------------------|------------------|:--------------:|:---------:| | Dylan & Danny | Quickstep | 6 | 7–8 | | Danielle & Pasha | Quickstep | 7 | 7–7–7 | | Scott & Riley | Salsa | 7 | 7–7–7 | | Alex & Val | Viennese Waltz | 8 | 8–8–8 | | Hilaria & Gleb | Quickstep | 8 | 8–7–8 | | Andy & Emma | Viennese Waltz | 4 | 6–6–6 | | Robert & Whitney | Cha Cha | 6 | 7–7–8 | | Elaine & Alan | Quickstep | 8 | 8–8–8 | | Whitney & Mark | Foxtrot | 8 | 9–8–8 | | Jordan & Ezra | Ballroom | (not explicit)| | | Jen & Yan | Jazz | 7 | 7–8–8 |

Final Thoughts

• Elimination: Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb left after a tough, breakneck fast quickstep. Sharna praises her technical skill, regrets not seeing her “do it for herself.”
• Seasonal Trends: This is a “tough” season with many talented, experienced contestants. Making a dance stand out is key (“find what sets you apart”).
• For Viewers: Sharna invites dance terminology questions and encourages fans to look for nuances (“texture,” “frame,” “musicality”).

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Topic | |---------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 02:25 | Sharna’s intro/philosophy, critique style | | 03:55 | Disney Night overview | | 05:03 | Dylan & Danny recap | | 11:20 | Danielle & Pasha critique and scoring controversy | | 20:13 | Scott & Riley analysis | | 24:13 | Alex & Val, breakdown of storytelling and technique | | 32:00 | Hilaria & Gleb, tempo/scoring, elimination | | 38:16 | Andy & Emma, DWTS nostalgia, fan support | | 47:31 | Robert & Whitney, technical critique | | 55:00 | Elaine & Alan, creativity under constraints | | 59:00 | Whitney & Mark, standout “Hamilton” foxtrot | | 69:11 | Jordan & Ezra, overcoming height disadvantage | | 72:55 | Jen & Yan, need for breakout moment |

Overall Tone

Sharna blends technical authority with a warm, highly engaged, and sometimes playful tone. She expresses genuine affection for contestants—especially underdogs—while not shying away from “tough love” in honest critiques. Her explanations aim to grow both viewers’ dance knowledge and their appreciation for the effort and vulnerability of the stars.

For more behind-the-scenes critique, clarification of dance lingo, and to submit questions, follow Sharna and the podcast’s social channels.