When Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas launched into their Jazz routine to Green Day’s "Brain Stew," the crowd didn’t just cheer—they gasped. A perfect 10 from Bruno Tonioli, matching 9s from Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and newcomer Cheryl Burke—that’s 37 out of 40. It wasn’t just a high score. It was a signal. Dancing with the Stars Season 34 isn’t just returning—it’s reinventing itself.
Scoring Chaos: From 30 to 40 Points in One Season
The premiere on Dancing with the Stars Season 34ABC Television Center opened with familiar faces: Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough back on the judges’ panel, Tyra Banks hosting. But something felt off. The scores didn’t add up.
Early performances used the classic 30-point scale—10 per judge. Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko opened with a Tango to "What Is Love," scoring 21/30. Later, their Samba earned 22/30. Meanwhile, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa nailed a Quickstep to "Special Spice," earning 24/30. All standard.
Then came the Jazz episode. A fourth judge—Cheryl Burke—suddenly appeared. The max score jumped to 40. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas scored 37/40. Jordan Chiles followed with 35/40. No warning. No explanation. Fans took to Twitter: "Is this a ratings stunt? Or are they testing something?"
Performance Rankings Clash: Betches.com vs. Hello Magazine
Here’s the twist: different outlets reported wildly different scores for the same performances. Hilaria Baldwin was listed by Hello Magazine with a 21/30 Tango. But Betches.com claimed she danced a Cha Cha to "Let’s Get Loud" and got 14/20. Which one’s right? Both? Neither?
The confusion deepened with Lauren Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong. Betches.com gave them 13/20. Hello Magazine didn’t mention them at all. And Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy? Same 13/20 on Betches.com—but no official score from ABC’s broadcast feed.
Even the performance rankings were contradictory. Betches.com ranked Robert Irwin #1, Alix Earle #2, Lauren Jauregui #3, Whitney Leavitt #4, and Hilaria Baldwin #5. But according to ABC’s official leaderboard, Whitney Leavitt was tied for first after Episode 2. The disconnect isn’t just confusing—it’s unsettling.
Who’s Really Winning? The Judges’ Shifting Standards
It’s not just about the numbers. It’s about the criteria. Derek Hough praised Whitney Leavitt’s "raw emotional connection" in her Foxtrot to "The Room Where It Happens," giving her 8/10. But when she danced Jazz, he called it "a masterclass in controlled chaos." Same dancer. Same partner. Different language. Different score.
And what about Jordan Chiles? The Olympic gymnast brought precision, but her Contemporary to "Elastic Heart" was less about technique and more about vulnerability. Carrie Ann Inaba teared up. "That wasn’t dance," she said. "That was truth." That’s not a score. That’s a moment.
Meanwhile, Hilaria Baldwin—a polarizing figure—received consistent 7s early on. But after the Jazz episode, when the scoring system changed, her scores didn’t jump. Was she penalized for not adapting? Or was the system simply no longer measuring what she offered?
Why This Matters: The Future of Reality TV Judging
This isn’t just about who gets eliminated. It’s about trust. When a show changes its rules mid-season without warning, it erodes credibility. Fans spent years memorizing the 30-point scale. Now? They’re left guessing. And with ABC reporting a 22% surge in viewership for Season 34, according to TV Insider, the pressure is on to keep people hooked.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: audiences don’t just want spectacle. They want fairness. When Betches.com writes, "Pretty privilege alone can’t get you the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy," they’re speaking for millions who feel the show’s been leaning too hard on fame over skill.
And the timing? Perfect. With the finale set for Dancing with the Stars Season 34ABC Television Center, the network has one last chance to clarify the rules—or risk losing the very fans they’re trying to win back.
What’s Next? The Final Four and the Fallout
With six episodes down and only five left, the pressure is mounting. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas are frontrunners—but they’re also targets. The show’s producers know the controversy is fueling buzz. But will it be enough to carry them through the finale?
Expect more curveballs. A possible return of the "judges’ save"? A surprise guest judge? Or worse—another scoring shift with no announcement. One thing’s certain: if ABC doesn’t release a transparent scoring guide by Episode 8, the backlash won’t just be online. It’ll be in the ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there two different scoring systems in DWTS Season 34?
ABC has not officially explained the shift from 30-point to 40-point scoring, but industry insiders suggest it’s an attempt to differentiate early performances from later, more complex routines. The addition of judge Cheryl Burke in Episode 3 coincided with the change, possibly signaling a new direction for judging depth. Fans are frustrated because no official announcement was made, making it impossible to compare scores fairly across episodes.
Who are the top contenders heading into the finale?
Based on consistent high scores and audience votes, Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas are leading, with 37/40 and 25/30 scores. Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa are close behind, with a 35/40 Contemporary routine. Robert Irwin and Alix Earle remain fan favorites, though their scores are lower, suggesting popularity may outweigh technical merit.
Why do different websites report different scores for the same performances?
Some outlets, like Betches.com, appear to be using unofficial or fan-reported scores, while Hello Magazine and ABC’s official feed track broadcast results. The discrepancy likely stems from confusion over which dance styles were performed in which episode, especially since Hilaria Baldwin is reported to have danced both Tango and Cha Cha in early episodes—possibly a mix-up in reporting. ABC has not issued a corrected leaderboard.
Is the judging panel biased toward celebrities with higher fame?
The data suggests a trend: Alix Earle and Robert Irwin ranked top in fan lists despite lower scores, while Whitney Leavitt, a lesser-known model, scored higher technically. Critics argue the show now prioritizes viral moments over dance mastery. But judges like Carrie Ann Inaba have publicly praised technical improvement, suggesting the bias, if any, may lie more with audience voting than judging.
What’s the significance of Cheryl Burke joining the judging panel?
Cheryl Burke, a former DWTS champion and fan favorite, brings a different perspective—she’s been in the contestants’ shoes. Her 9/10 scores for high-energy routines suggest she rewards athleticism and charisma, which may explain why scores jumped when she joined. Her presence could signal a shift toward more inclusive judging criteria, but without transparency, fans fear she’s being used to justify higher scores for popular stars.
When will the winner of DWTS Season 34 be announced?
The winner will be crowned on Dancing with the Stars Season 34ABC Television Center, the same venue where the season began. The finale will feature a two-night event: a performance night on November 24 and the live results show on November 25. Viewers can expect a surprise guest performance and possibly a return of past champions to honor the show’s legacy.
