As the 2025 season of Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) approaches its thrilling conclusion, the competition intensifies with just six couples remaining, all vying for the prestigious Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. The semifinals, themed "Prince Night," promise a night of dazzling performances and high stakes as contestants deliver their best routines yet to secure a coveted spot in the finale. Among the remaining hopefuls is Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, who, despite consistently strong performances, has often found herself near the lower end of the leaderboard. This weekend’s semifinals will be a crucial moment for Chiles and her professional partner, Gleb Savchenko (often referred to as Sosa), as they aim to prove their mettle and make a final push toward victory.
Jordan Chiles, known for her remarkable athleticism and poise as an Olympic gymnast, has brought a unique energy to the ballroom. Over the past weeks, she has delivered memorable dances that showcased her dedication and growth as a performer. Last week, Chiles earned a solid score of 37 out of 40, a testament to her technical skill and emotional connection on the dance floor. A highlight of recent episodes was the relay round, where Chiles performed alongside Olympic speed skating legend Apolo Ohno, serving as her special guest. Together, they competed in a relay dance against fellow semifinalist Elaine Hendrix and former NFL running back Rashad Jennings. This performance earned Chiles and Savchenko two valuable bonus points, helping them advance further in the competition.
In the upcoming semifinals, Chiles and Savchenko will face an unprecedented challenge: performing two full routines in one night for the first time this season. Their first dance will be a lively Jive set to Prince’s iconic track “Raspberry Beret,” a song known for its upbeat tempo and playful vibe. Following this, they will shift gears dramatically with an Argentine Tango to another Prince classic, “U Got the Look.” These contrasting styles will test their versatility, technical precision, and ability to connect with both the music and the audience. Additionally, their recent Viennese Waltz performance, a deeply personal tribute dedicated to Jordan’s late father, Timothy Chiles, revealed a more vulnerable and emotive side to the athlete, earning praise from judges and viewers alike. With the finale just a week away, this semifinal night represents a critical juncture for Jordan and Gleb—they must deliver flawless, captivating performances to secure their place among the season's elite finalists.
The competition overall has been fierce, with each couple bringing their unique strengths and stories to the dance floor. The leaderboard has seen some movement, but it remains tightly contested. Last week’s scores reflected the high caliber of dancing, with contestants like Elaine Hendrix, Alix Earle, Whitney Leavitt, Dylan Efron, and Robert Irwin all scoring in the high 20s and 30s. Specifically, the judges’ scores from the previous episodes showed Elaine Hendrix and Alix Earle consistently performing well, with scores ranging around 27 to 30 points. Jordan Chiles’ scores hovered around 27, indicating room for improvement but also highlighting her steady progression throughout the competition.
The journey to the semifinals has not been without its heartbreaks. Several notable contestants have been eliminated over the course of the season, narrowing the field from a large group to just six. Early departures included Corey Feldman and Baron Davis (Episode 2), Lauren Jauregui (Episode 3), Hilaria Baldwin (Episode 4), Scott Hoying (Episode 6), Jen Affleck (Episode 7), and Danielle Fishel (Episode 8). Most recently, in Episode 9, actor and comedian Andy Richter was eliminated after landing in the bottom two alongside Jordan Chiles and Elaine Hendrix. Despite Chiles and Hendrix being at risk, Richter was ultimately sent home, signaling the increasing competitiveness as the contest nears its climax.
Dancing with the Stars employs a distinctive scoring system that combines judges’ scores and audience votes on an equal basis. This 50/50 split ensures that both technical merit and viewer appeal are crucial to a couple’s success. The judging panel features longtime favorites Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, supported each week by a guest judge, all of whom rate each performance on a scale from 1 to 10. This means a perfect routine could earn up to 40 points per dance.