‘Dancing With the Stars’ wraps first-ever ‘Super Bowl Night’ with heartbreaking elimination

In an innovative twist for its 35th season, “Dancing With the Stars” premiered its inaugural Super Bowl Night, spotlighting performances inspired by the energy and spectacle of the iconic sporting event. Themed episodes are a hallmark of the series, but this edition connected directly with the forthcoming 2027 Super Bowl scheduled for Valentine’s Day, offering fans a glimpse of the show’s creative direction.

The evening featured a diverse set of dance styles, including salsa, samba, tango, jazz, and paso doble, each paired with tracks emblematic of the Super Bowl’s cultural imprint. Celebrity contestants teamed with professional dancers to interpret songs ranging from contemporary pop and Latin hits to classic anthems tied to the event’s musical legacy.

One of the night’s most talked-about moments was the unexpected elimination of Guillermo Rodriguez, known from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, and his partner Witney Carson. Their salsa to Bad Bunny’s “Tití Me Preguntó” received a combined score of 22 out of 40 from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge Joe Buck, positioning them at the bottom of the leaderboard. Rodriguez expressed appreciation for the experience and Carson, who is navigating pregnancy with her third child, acknowledged their positive rapport throughout the competition.

The competition showcased notable performances from other pairs, such as Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, who opened with a tango to Rihanna’s “Only Girl (In the World),” earning favorable remarks for their intensity and precision. Similarly, Jackson Olson and Emma Slater’s salsa to “Uptown Funk” was called Olson’s standout dance to date.

Amber Glenn, an Olympic gold medalist, partnered with Pasha Pashkov to deliver a samba performance featuring “Mi Gente” that attracted commendations for its vibrancy. Bachelor Nation’s Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess brought jazz flair with “The Time (Dirty Bit),” impressing with nods to dance legends.

The episode also included memorable routines from Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa, who tackled a jazz number to Jennifer Lopez’s remix of “Jenny From the Block,” described as Stiles’ best thus far. Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy’s paso doble to Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” garnered some of the highest scores of the night. Meanwhile, Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach closed the show with a salsa to Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” praised for its compelling delivery.

Guest appearances added an extra layer of interest, including a cameo from filmmaker Justin Baldoni and his family, aligning with the episode’s entertainment and sports fusion theme.

This Super Bowl-themed installment arrives amid a season marked by several surprising eliminations, including figures from music and reality television, underscoring the unpredictability of the competition. “Dancing With the Stars” continues to air weekly on ABC and Disney+, with streaming options available on Hulu, maintaining its blend of celebrity appeal and high-stakes dance performance.

With the 2027 Super Bowl approaching, this episode not only celebrated the event’s cultural resonance through dance but also set expectations for how the show will integrate major sporting moments into its format. The fusion of athleticism, artistry, and popular music on display reinforces the series’ enduring appeal in the competitive dance reality genre.