After a jaw-dropping exit from Dancing With the Stars season 34, Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui succinctly summarized her feelings in one expressive word: “Pissed.” The 29-year-old shared her raw emotions with hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro during the live broadcast on September 30.
In an unexpected display of camaraderie, Jauregui quickly shifted the focus to her partner, Brandon Armstrong, exclaiming her gratitude for their time together as partners over the last three weeks. The two embraced, showing a moment of connection despite the disappointing outcome.
As the final credits rolled, the shockwaves of their elimination reverberated throughout the studio, visibly impacting fellow contestants and professional dancers who consoled both Jauregui and Armstrong in their disbelief.
The surprise exit came during the climactic moments of DWTS‘ inaugural TikTok Night, an event celebrating tunes synonymous with the favored social media platform. During their performance, Jauregui and Armstrong captivated the audience with a cha-cha to “Work From Home,” the iconic track featuring strong undertones from her former group, Fifth Harmony, even drawing cheers from group members Normani, Ally Brooke, and Dinah Jane, who were present to support.
Ultimately, the couple received a score of 18 out of 30 from the judges for their cha-cha, which interestingly mirrored elements from the original music video. While the judges offered mostly positive feedback, they also highlighted areas for growth, urging Jauregui to refine her approach to the Latin-inspired performances.
Carrie Ann Inaba opened the critique with praise, stating, “I really like the way you move, but I’d love to see a pop in your step. I thirst for more dynamics; let your life force sparkle through your movements… Don’t be shy; hit it and quit it!”
Derek Hough echoed her sentiments, revealing he was looking for a bit more “fire” in her Latin ventures, while Bruno Tonioli remarked on her lyrical quality, suggesting she embody that rhythm in her body movements just as she does with her voice.
In a candid post-performance discussion, Jauregui expressed disappointment in their score, landing them towards the underbelly of the rankings, competing against Andy Richter and Emma Slater and Elaine Hendrix with Alan Bersten. Ultimately, they were the unfortunate couple to exit the competition that evening.
This latest exit marks Jauregui and Armstrong as the third duo to leave the ballroom in season 34, following the shocking double elimination of Baron Davis and Britt Stewart alongside Corey Feldman and Jenna Johnson.
Meanwhile, their earlier performances had seen them toward the top, scoring a respectable 13 out of 20 for their tango in the season premiere and ramping it up to 21 out of 30 during “One Hit Wonder Night.” Such a trajectory seemed promising—yet here they stand, victims to the unpredictable nature of reality television.
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Tuesday’s episode boldly launched with a dazzling number set to Charli XCX’s “Apple,” featuring a guest appearance by Charli D’Amelio, the esteemed champion from season 31. Notably, the top scores of the night belonged to Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, who soaked the floor with their samba to “Shake Ya Ass” by Mystikal, and Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, who tangoed to “Anxiety” by Doechii. Each earned commendable scores of 24 out of 30, marking high points in the season.
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. To enhance your viewing experience and share in the thrills of competition, join the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league. Compete against other fans and Us Weekly editors while predicting the couples who will tango to the finale. Get involved for free today and win exclusive content, stats, and prizes!
