The ballroom of Dancing With the Stars turned into a musical celebration on October 6, 2026, as the popular dance competition dedicated its fourth week to legendary singer Mariah Carey. Known for her powerful vocals, emotional ballads and unforgettable pop hits, Carey provided the perfect musical inspiration for the celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners.
Week 4, officially themed “Mariah Carey Night,” brought together romance, energy, emotional storytelling and intense competition. With the remaining celebrity couples performing to some of Carey's best-known songs, the episode gave viewers plenty to discuss, from impressive routines to unexpected results.
What Happened During Mariah Carey Night?
During the fourth week of Season 35, the contestants took to the ballroom floor with routines inspired by Mariah Carey's celebrated music catalogue. The performances featured a variety of dance styles, including rumba, waltz, tango, jazz, samba, foxtrot and Viennese waltz.
Each couple had to do more than simply follow the music. The dancers needed to demonstrate technique, timing, coordination and the ability to express the emotion behind their chosen songs. This made the episode particularly interesting because Carey's music ranges from energetic pop hits to powerful romantic ballads.
The special episode also featured a video message from Mariah Carey, who shared her support for the contestants before their performances.
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas Deliver the Night's Top Performance :
One of the biggest highlights of the evening came from Maura Higgins and professional dancer Mark Ballas. The pair performed a waltz to Carey's song “If It's Over,” earning a total of 25 out of 30 points, the highest score of the night.
Their routine stood out for its musical interpretation, graceful movements and emotional presentation. The performance demonstrated how a well-chosen song can help a celebrity contestant connect with the audience while showcasing improved dance skills.
With the competition becoming increasingly challenging, Higgins and Ballas gave themselves a strong position going into the next round.
Jenna Dewan and Harry Shum Jr. Impress the Judges
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy delivered a rumba to “My All,” a song known for its romantic mood and expressive vocals. Their performance gave Dewan an opportunity to show a more vulnerable side of her dancing, while the choreography focused on emotional connection and controlled movement.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson also impressed with their tango to “It's Like That.” The routine brought a different atmosphere to the ballroom, emphasizing sharp movements, timing and confidence.
Both couples earned 24 out of 30 points, placing them among the strongest performers of the evening.
Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach also scored 24 points for their rumba to “Anytime You Need a Friend.” Their performance added another memorable moment to a night filled with different dance styles and musical interpretations.
Other Celebrity Performances That Caught Attention
Several other couples brought their own personalities and dance styles to the competition.
Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess performed a foxtrot to “#Beautiful.” The routine had a particularly emotional meaning for Cameron, who dedicated his performance to his late mother. The personal tribute added another layer to the dance and helped make it one of the evening's emotional highlights.
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson performed a samba to “Obsessed.” Although the routine brought energy and entertainment to the ballroom, the judges felt that the performance needed stronger technical execution.
Jackson Olson and Emma Slater danced a waltz to “Without You,” while Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold performed a rumba to “Touch My Body.” Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa presented a Viennese waltz to “Vision of Love,” and Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik performed jazz to “Fantasy.”
Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov completed their routine with a rumba to “Hero,” bringing the evening's music and choreography together in a performance inspired by one of Carey's best-known ballads.
Dancing With the Stars Week 4 Scores
The judges' scores played an important role in determining which couples were safe and which faced the possibility of elimination.
Here are some of the reported scores from Mariah Carey Night:
| Celebrity Couple | Dance | Song | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas | Waltz | If It's Over | 25/30 |
| Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy | Rumba | My All | 24/30 |
| Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson | Tango | It's Like That | 24/30 |
| Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach | Rumba | Anytime You Need a Friend | 24/30 |
| Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong | Jazz | Emotions | 21/30 |
| Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess | Foxtrot | #Beautiful | 21/30 |
| Jackson Olson and Emma Slater | Waltz | Without You | 21/30 |
| Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson | Samba | Obsessed | 13/30 |
These scores show how competitive the evening became. While some couples received strong marks, others struggled to impress the judges. However, judges' scores were not the only factor in the results, as audience voting also played a role in deciding which contestants continued in the competition.
Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong Eliminated
One of the biggest talking points of Week 4 was the elimination of Ciara Miller and her professional dance partner, Brandon Armstrong.
The couple performed a jazz routine to Mariah Carey's “Emotions” and received 21 out of 30 points from the judges. Despite their performance, they were eliminated from the competition following the combined results of the show's scoring and voting process.
Their departure was a surprise for viewers who had hoped to see them continue developing their skills in the ballroom. The elimination also highlighted the unpredictable nature of Dancing With the Stars, where a respectable score does not necessarily guarantee a place in the next round.
As the season progresses, contestants must continue improving their technique and building support from viewers to remain in the competition.
Why Mariah Carey Night Was Special
Mariah Carey Night was more than a themed dance episode. It gave contestants an opportunity to interpret music that many viewers already know and love.
Carey's catalogue includes upbeat pop songs, dance hits and emotional ballads. This variety allowed the professional dancers to create routines that differed significantly in pace, mood and choreography.
For viewers, the episode offered a combination of entertainment and storytelling. Some performances focused on elegance and romance, while others emphasized speed, energy and dramatic movements. Personal stories, including Tyler Cameron's tribute to his late mother, also reminded audiences that the competition can be about more than scores and trophies.
The episode demonstrated why themed nights remain an important part of the show's appeal: they challenge contestants to adapt to new musical styles while giving fans a fresh way to enjoy familiar songs.
What Comes Next on Dancing With the Stars?
Following Mariah Carey Night, the competition will move into Week 5 with Super Bowl Night. The upcoming theme is expected to celebrate music associated with memorable Super Bowl halftime performances.
With the competition becoming more intense, every point and audience vote could make a difference. Contestants who performed well during Week 4 will need to maintain their momentum, while couples who received lower scores will have to work harder to improve.
The remaining celebrities will continue working with their professional partners to refine their technique, strengthen their stage presence and prepare for the next challenge.
Final Thoughts
Dancing With the Stars Week 4 delivered a memorable evening with Mariah Carey Night, featuring a mix of impressive choreography, emotional performances and an unexpected elimination. Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas led the leaderboard with 25 points, while Jenna Dewan, Harry Shum Jr. and Ezra Frech also delivered strong routines.
The elimination of Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong showed just how unpredictable the competition can be, even when a couple earns a respectable score.
With Super Bowl Night coming next, fans can look forward to another week of exciting music, creative choreography and tough competition as the celebrities continue their journey toward the Mirrorball Trophy.
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