DWTS Yacht Rock Night Recap: Scores, Elimination Details, and Who Went Home

The ballroom was set for a nostalgic journey as Dancing With the Stars hosted its highly anticipated Yacht Rock Night. For Tuesday night’s episode of Season 35, competing couples took to the dance floor, performing to “smooth grooves, soft-rock classics and iconic hits that defined the yacht rock era,” according to ABC. The musical selections showcased during the broadcast were diverse, including classic tracks like "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)" by Daryl Hall & John Oates, "Just the Two of Us" by Grover Washington Jr., and "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" by Rupert Holmes. The night proved to be a dramatic one, culminating in the elimination of Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart.

The exit left the cast stunned, as both professional dancer and celebrity couple expressed deep gratitude for their shared journey on DWTS. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter just before the season 35 premiere, Britt Stewart had previously discussed her excitement about partnering with Grammy nominee Taylor Hanson. She noted that she was a millennial who appreciated the significance of his participation. Reflecting on their connection, Britt recalled a moment during their initial meeting: “I kind of sighed in relief when he told me during our first meet, ‘I will do whatever you need me to do. If that means buying a cot and sleeping at the dance studio so we can rehearse all the time, that is what I will do.’ I was like, Okay, he wants to work for this. He's in it to win it . That commitment is so important.”

The competition remained fierce throughout the evening. Kicking off Yacht Rock Night were Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov, who performed a foxtrot set to Toto’s "Hold the Line." Their performance earned the first trio of eights from the judges, resulting in a high score of 24/30, setting the initial benchmark for Season 35. Later that night, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson matched this top score, tying with Amber and Pasha. Meanwhile, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas also secured their first eight of the season with a quickstep to "Turn Your Love Around," earning them a strong 22/30, placing them second on the leaderboard.

The results were tallied using both judges' scores and viewer votes, determining which couple had the lowest combined total. The full list of scores for DWTS Yacht Rock Night revealed the standings: Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov scored 24/30; Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson also achieved a high score of 24/30. Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas followed with 22/30, while Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik received 21/30, alongside Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, and Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy. The scores for the eliminated couple, Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart, were recorded at 18/30.

For viewers who want to track their favorite couples or learn how the elimination process works, it is important to know that the couple with the lowest combined total of judges' scores and viewer votes is removed from the competition. Viewers are allowed up to 10 votes per couple, depending on the voting method used (via ABC’s website or by text). Live voting takes place during the East Coast airing of each show and concludes shortly after the final performance. Therefore, West Coast viewers must remember to submit their votes between 5 p.m. PT and roughly 6:45 p.m. PT, as the window closes following the last dance.

The season continues with several talented contestants still vying for the mirrorball trophy, including Tatyana Ali, Tyler Cameron, Jenna Dewan, Amber Glenn, Maura Higgins, Ciara Miller, Jackson Olson, Guillermo Rodriguez, Harry Shum Jr., Julia Stiles, and Connor Wood. Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m., simulcasting across ABC and Disney+, with episodes streaming the following day on Hulu.