Podcast Summary: Danielle with the Stars

Episode: Sharna Burgess in the 4th Chair: Prince Night (Week 10)

Host: Sharna Burgess
Release Date: November 20, 2025
Episode Focus: In-depth breakdown of the Dancing With The Stars Season 34 semi-finals (Prince Night), with commentary on performances, technique, strategy, and the emotional stakes as the season nears its finale.

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode is a comprehensive, dance-pro’s-eye-view debrief of the DWTS Season 34 “Prince Night” semi-finals. Sharna Burgess discusses every dance, analyzes technical details, highlights memorable moments, and foregrounds both the pressure and artistry of the semi-final stage. She also voices her dismay over Whitney's elimination and reflects on the season’s evolution.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Reality of Semi-Finals Pressure

• Intensity and Fatigue: Sharna opens by describing the semifinals as the hardest week for contestants (“You know that every little thing counts now. Every point counts... This is where you are so close but so far, and you are also so freaking tired as a pro.” - 03:41).
• Theme Reflections: While Prince Night was “a gift” in terms of music, she felt some songs weren’t an ideal match for all dances, particularly the Argentine Tangos.

2. The Shocking Elimination of Whitney

• Public Vote Surprise: Sharna laments the exit of Whitney, who she saw as “by far the best dancer in the competition” (05:57). She attributes the outcome to public vote and hints at social media-driven controversy.
  • “I would… I don’t know if I’d call it a shock elimination because of all the crazy hate that we see online, but I was really sad to see Whitney go…” (05:16)
• Admiration for Ambition: She praises Whitney’s directness about wanting to do the show, calling it a “business move” she respected (09:00).

Detailed Breakdown: Couples, Dances & Critiques

Elaine & Alan – Foxtrot

Judges: Praised sophistication and control, wanted more attack.
Sharna’s Take:

• Missed “glide and power,” stride not long enough.
• Performance and partnership strong, but underwhelming for semifinals (“That drive and that power is an absolute, necessary thing. And I really was missing it.” – 13:23)
• Score: Judges 9-9-9; Sharna “higher end of an 8”.

Alex & Val – Argentine Tango

Judges: Praised lines and bodywork, nitpicked loose ganchos and high shoulders.
Sharna’s Take:

• Technique lacking sharpness, especially in leg flicks (ganchos).
• Song choice hindered steaminess and authentic feel.
• “Her attitude every week at the moment just wins me over…” (16:55)
• Score: Judges 9-10-9; Sharna “lower end of a 9”.

Whitney & Mark – Cha Cha

Judges: Derek “literal perfection”; Carrie Ann saw technique showing.
Sharna’s Take:

• Wrong dance to revisit, legs too straight (“Made her look like a Barbie doll dancing on the floor.” – 15:49).
• Cheeky performance, but technical flaws very present.
• Score: Judges 9-10-10; Sharna “lower end of a 9”.

Dylan & Danny – Tango

Judges: Praised leadership and frame, noted foot errors and lack of musicality.
Sharna’s Take:

• Missing heel leads, which sapped power; frame too angular and head position off.
• “It wasn’t the greatest… But then there was some stuff where I was like, I don’t know.” (24:16)
• Score: Judges 9-9-9; Sharna “solid on an 8”.

Jordan & Ezra – Jive

Judges: High energy but wanted more attack; timing issues noted.
Sharna’s Take:

• “WTF, point those toes, girl!” (25:05)
• Lacked dynamic jive bounce/weight forward; kicks and flicks too mechanical.
• Performance fun, but missed the essence of jive.
• Score: Judges 9-9-9; Sharna an 8.

Robert & Whitney – Jive

Judges: Universal praise (“Superstar jive!”), buoyancy and whole-body dancing.
Sharna’s Take:

• Whit described as “queen of jive.”
• “When he dances, it’s from the tip of his head to the bottom of his toes to the tips of his fingers to his entire face… a whole body experience.” (30:17)
• Technical polish not perfect, but raw performance/passion lauded.
• Score: Judges 10-10-10; Sharna 10 all day.

Elaine & Alan – Paso Doble

Judges: Praised for power and attack; “majestic” (Bruno).
Sharna’s Take:

• “That drive and energy... you can have that in every dance just with a different intention.”
• Noted authentic shapes, power center, high energy—favorite dance from Elaine.
• Score: Judges 10-10-10; Sharna landed on a 10.

Alex & Val – Viennese Waltz

Judges: Emotional, “historic” performance, deep connection.
Sharna’s Take:

• “Loved the sexy connection… the music was quite literally flowing through her body…” (44:30)
• Noted improved frame and body contact.
• Score: Judges 10-10-10; Sharna’s favorite Alex dance, full 10.

Dylan & Danny – Cha Cha

Judges: Praised hip action, footwork, details; Carrie Ann noted “small arms.”
Sharna’s Take:

• Great Cuban motion at the start, but arms too low, performance lost crispness after a mistake.
• Missed expressive performance on the face.
• “He was doing it with his body, but it wasn’t registering on his face.” (45:54)
• Score: Judges 9-9-10; Sharna settled on a 9.

Whitney & Mark – Ballroom Routine

Judges: Carrie Ann’s “favorite performance,” emotional, minor foot hop error.
Sharna’s Take:

• “I said lots of swear words in this, but I was like, no notes. She’s exceptional.” (50:42)
• Frame slightly tilted and a hop, but otherwise “spectacular.”
• Celebrates Whitney’s artistry and personality; hopes she pursues performing arts further.
• Score: Judges 9-10-10; Sharna calls it “9, 10—let’s not commit.”

Jordan & Ezra – Argentine Tango

Judges: High praise for risks and power (“You’re the biggest risk taker and that was the bomb.” – 53:04). Sharna’s Take:

• Loved choreography and tricks (except for one that “went a bit weird”).
• Continues frustrated with flexed feet; felt lack of steaminess tied to song choice.
• Score: Judges 10-10-10; Sharna a 9.

Robert – Viennese Waltz

Judges: Thrilling, “Top Gun mode” per Bruno, but frame “meh” (Derek). Sharna’s Take:

• Dance was “hot,” but frame rounded, occasionally skippy.
• “If you could only see the top half of him, it should be so smooth, like a duck on water. I felt like we could see the hard work a little bit.” (58:48)
• Passion, connection, musicality praised; not as strong as his jive.
• Score: Judges 10-9-10; Sharna a 9.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the semi-final challenge:
  “This semi final business is cut throat and it’s hard.” – Sharna, (04:43)

• On Whitney’s elimination:
  “She was by far the best dancer in the competition, and I think it would have been so good… But man, I did not love seeing the massive amount of petitions to get her off the show…” (05:54)

• On Jordan’s jive toes:
  “First thing I said was she has flexed feet in her kicks. I was like, wtf? Like, point those toes, girl.” (25:05)

• On Robert’s performance style:
  “He says it with his whole body. It’s a whole body experience. There is not one bit that is left untouched…” (30:17)

• On Whitney as a performer:
  “She is meant to be doing this. For whatever reason, I think she said it in a package, she just didn’t think this was for her… I hope that this has sparked a new direction for her where she follows this passion because it lights her up.” (52:32)

Predictions and Forward Look

• Sharna predicts final outcome will depend entirely on freestyle choreographies (“That’s the last thing you guys get to vote on. It is the pinnacle. It is the crescendo. It is the ending of their journey.” – 62:03).
• She tips Robert & Alex as the most likely to top the finale, expresses excitement for what Val and Whitney will create for their partners.

Timestamps: Important Segments

• Opening Thoughts & Theme Overview: 03:41-06:50
• Whitney’s Elimination & Public Vote: 05:16-07:40
• Individual Dance Breakdowns:
  • Elaine & Alan Foxtrot: 13:10
  • Alex & Val Argentine Tango: 16:00
  • Whitney & Mark Cha Cha: 19:50
  • Dylan & Danny Tango: 23:02
  • Jordan & Ezra Jive: 25:05
  • Robert & Whitney Jive: 29:11
  • Elaine & Alan Paso Doble: 34:10
  • Alex & Val Viennese Waltz: 38:10
  • Dylan & Danny Cha Cha: 43:50
  • Whitney & Mark Ballroom: 50:42
  • Jordan & Ezra Argentine Tango: 53:04
  • Robert Viennese Waltz: 57:15
• The Role of Freestyle in the Finale & Closing Reflections: 61:03-62:56

Episode Tone & Takeaways

• Candid, knowledgeable, and passionate, Sharna offers both technical expertise and heartfelt fan perspective.
• The semi-finals are depicted as both the toughest and most rewarding phase of DWTS.
• The season’s “magic is back,” according to Sharna; she’s excited for an unpredictable, potentially legendary finale.

This summary covers all major performances, judges’ insight, Sharna’s unique take, and the emotional currents propelling the show towards its season climax—making it valuable for any listener who missed the live episode.