Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas Advance to DWTS 2025 Finale After 58/60 Score

On November 19, 2025, Whitney Leavitt and her professional partner Mark Ballas delivered two breathtaking performances that sealed their place in the Dancing With The Stars 2025 season finale, earning a combined score of 58 out of 60 across a high-risk cha-cha and a soul-baring Viennese Waltz. The semifinal showdown, broadcast live on ABC, left viewers and judges alike breathless — and the voting lines open until minutes after the final dance.

Cha-Cha Under Pressure

The night opened with a cha-cha that could have been a career-ending misstep. Performing the dance in the semifinals is like running the final lap of a marathon with a broken shoelace — risky, but if you nail it, it’s legendary. Leavitt, known for her role on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, didn’t just dance — she executed. Judges noted her precision, placement, and the sheer difficulty of the choreography. "Everything you wanted from a cha-cha," one judge said. "Execution, precision, level of difficulty — incredible. Stunningly well." But here’s the twist: the same judge added that Leavitt occasionally "focused on the technique," which "almost kind of hindered it." That’s the tightrope of competitive ballroom. Too much control, and you lose the fire. Too little, and you lose the points. Leavitt danced like someone who’d spent years rehearsing — and maybe, just maybe, she was still afraid to let go.

The Viennese Waltz That Changed Everything

Then came the Viennese Waltz. And everything shifted.

"This was my absolute favorite," the same judge said, voice cracking slightly. "It felt so authentically you. You unmasked yourself. You showed us truly your soul and how much you love to dance." Leavitt moved like water — fluid, effortless, emotional. The crowd didn’t just clap; they leaned forward, as if afraid to miss a single step. There was one tiny flaw — a slight hop on a turn — enough for a one-point deduction. But the judge didn’t flinch. "What you did? No one can take that away from you. That was outstanding." They got a 29 out of 30. Combined with their cha-cha score, that’s 58 — the highest total of the night. And it was enough to lock them into the finale.

Behind the Scenes: Dreams, Mentorship, and Doubt

Leavitt didn’t come to Dancing With The Stars 2025 looking for fame. After two seasons on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, she told the camera, "I wanted to take a break from acting." But then she saw the opportunity. "It was an opportunity for all of the girls to be able to go after this," she said. "And I’m so grateful to Dina Cat — she changed my life." Who is Dina Cat? The name isn’t in public records. But the emotional weight behind it suggests a mentor, perhaps a dance instructor, agent, or even a former co-star who saw potential in Leavitt before she did. In reality TV, those names — the quiet influencers — often matter more than the cameras.

As for Ballas? He’s a veteran. Seven-time champion. But during rehearsal, he whispered to himself: "You can do this. You can do this." Later, on stage, he told host Tyra Banks: "I feel like this little girl whose dreams are coming true. And more than ever on this show, I feel like those are obtainable." That’s the heart of Dancing With The Stars. It’s not about perfect technique. It’s about someone who never thought they’d be here — and now, they’re one dance away from the Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy.

What’s at Stake in the Finale

The finale, scheduled for next week, will pit Leavitt and Ballas against two other couples. Voting is live: fans can text or go to abc.com until shortly after the final competitive dance. The scoring system remains unchanged — judges’ scores count for 50%, public votes for the other half. But with 58 points already on the board, Leavitt and Ballas have a psychological edge. They didn’t just survive the semifinals — they redefined what’s possible.

This isn’t just about a trophy. It’s about a woman who left a scripted reality show to step into the unknown — and danced like she’d been waiting her whole life for this moment.

YouTube Footage and the Archive Effect

The performances were uploaded to YouTube by channels RemasterKingdom4K and ReKingdom4K, both linked to the email [email protected]. The videos, each under five minutes, suggest these are not official broadcasts but fan-archived, remastered versions — likely cleaned up for 4K quality. That’s the new reality of TV: even live events become digital artifacts within hours. Fans don’t just watch — they preserve. And in doing so, they give these moments a second life.

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