Reality television star Ciara Miller and professional dancer Brandon Armstrong were eliminated from Dancing With the Stars on Tuesday, Oct. 6, during the show's week four Mariah Carey themed broadcast.
The pair performed a jazz routine to Mariah Carey's hit song "Emotions" and received a total score of 21 from judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli. Despite landing in a four-way tie for No. 6 out of 12 couples on the leaderboard, their combined judge points and viewer votes were insufficient to advance them to next week's competition.
Following the announcement, Miller expressed her gratitude for her time on the show and her partnership with Armstrong. "I'm so grateful for Brandon," the Summer House alum said. "This experience has been the moment of a lifetime, and there's no one else I would rather have had this moment with." Summer House is a popular Bravo reality television series following a group of friends sharing a summer home in Montauk, New York.
Armstrong praised Miller's growth throughout the season, noting that her departure felt premature. "This competition really is about a journey. I'm super bummed because I think Ciara was one of those people that was getting better every single week. I think it was noticeable," Armstrong said. "It was cut short, which is a bummer. But a lot of great competitors left. I loved every second I had with her."
Before the season began, Miller had shared her physical preparations for joining the ballroom competition. Speaking exclusively to E! News in June, she noted that physical appearance does not guarantee athletic conditioning. "Looks are not indicative of being in shape," Miller told E! News. "I do huff and puff going up the stairs, so I gotta get back into the gym and work on my stamina."
High Scores and Standout Performances
While Miller and Armstrong departed, other couples delivered standout performances that surpassed judge expectations. Love Island UK star Maura Higgins and her professional partner Mark Ballas earned high praise for their waltz. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba awarded the pair a score of 9, marking the very first 9 handed out in season 35.
Inaba was visibly moved by the performance during her critique. "I got emotional watching you just because it was so good, the artistry in motion," Inaba told the couple. "It's like you transported me to another world, and I feel like right now the world needs that kind of beauty. I thought you were excellent." Fellow judge Derek Hough described the routine as "so exquisite, so beautiful," while Bruno Tonioli told Higgins that she possessed "royal poise." Love Island UK is a long-running British dating reality show where contestants live together in a villa to find romance.
Higgins had previously revealed how strongly she wanted to participate on the show. In May, she explained to E! News that she had actively manifested the opportunity on her annual vision board. "I have a vision board and I redo it every year," Higgins said. "This year is the first year that I stayed at home by myself on New Year's Eve. I did not go out at all. I made myself a bowl of pasta and a glass of red wine and I redid my vision board for the year. Dancing With the Stars was already on it from the year before. However, I added five more Dancing With the Stars on the board."
Actress Julia Stiles and her professional partner Ezra Sosa also achieved a major milestone on Tuesday night. Inaba praised their Viennese waltz as a "breakthrough" moment for Stiles. The actress is widely recognized for her starring role in the 1999 romantic comedy film 10 Things I Hate About You as well as Save the Last Dance.
Leaderboard Contenders and Season Favorites
Several other couples maintained strong standings at the top of the leaderboard during week four. Among the top contenders are 2026 Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn and her partner Pasha Pashkov, as well as Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete Ezra Frech and his partner Daniella Karagach. Pashkov and Karagach are themselves a married couple of professional ballroom dancers.
Actor Harry Shum Jr. and partner Jenna Johnson also remained in top contention, along with actress Jenna Dewan and partner Val Chmerkovskiy. Shum is best known for his role as Mike Chang on the hit Fox musical comedy series Glee. Dewan, who starred in the 2006 dance film Step Up two decades ago, is stepping up to the ballroom challenge. Off the dance floor, her fiance Steve Kazee recently defended her against online criticism regarding her appearance on the show.
Full Roster of Season 35 Pairings
Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars features a diverse cast of celebrities from sports, television, comedy, and music all vying for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, named in honor of the late longtime head judge. The full lineup of celebrity-pro pairings competing this season includes:
- Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa: The film actress is saving the last dance for her pro partner.
- Giada De Laurentiis & Alan Bersten: The celebrity chef and Food Network star is turning up the heat on the dance floor with her cha-cha moves.
- Harry Shum Jr. & Jenna Johnson: The former Glee actor brings his musical talents to the ballroom.
- Taylor Hanson & Britt Stewart: The former 1990s teen heartthrob, famous for the hit pop song "MMMBop" with his band Hanson, aims for the top of the leaderboard in season 35.
- Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik: The actress, famous for playing Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, brings fresh moves to the floor.
- Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy: Two decades after starring in Step Up, the dancer takes on the DWTS competition.
- Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov: The 2026 Olympic figure skater transfers her athletic grace from the ice to the ballroom.
- Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach: The Team USA Paralympic track and field athlete showcases his athleticism on the dance floor.
- Sarah Jane Nader & Hailey Bills: The Love Thy Nader reality star enters the ballroom after her sister Brooks Nader competed on season 33.
- Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold: The comedian, widely known as Fibula across social media platforms, seeks applause in the ballroom.
- Conner Leavitt & Adele Zaikman: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star follows in the footsteps of his wife Whitney Leavitt, who competed on season 34.
- Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess: The Bachelor Nation reality television star trades roses for rumbas.
- Jackson Olson & Emma Slater: The Savannah Bananas exhibition baseball player steps up to the plate from the diamond to the ballroom.
- Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson: The Jimmy Kimmel Live! night-time show personality learns new ballroom steps.
- Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong: The Summer House star competed through week four before being eliminated.
- Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas: The Love Island UK alum continues her journey after achieving the season's first score of 9.
Next Week on the Ballroom Floor
With week four concluded and Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong eliminated, the remaining couples now turn their attention to week five. The upcoming broadcast will feature Super Bowl-inspired dance routines as the celebrities continue their pursuit of the Mirrorball Trophy.
