Danielle Fishel opened up on her podcast about Whitney Leavitt’s shocking Dancing With the Stars elimination. And she didn’t hold back.
“Whitney is one of the most beautiful dancers I have ever seen in 20 years of Dancing With the Stars,” the 44-year-old said on her podcast, praising Leavitt’s talent and her work ethic throughout season 34. “Mark [Ballas] has really pushed her. Whitney [wanted] that.”
As someone who’s watched the show for decades, Fishel said Leavitt, 32, was built to be pushed as hard as Ballas, 39, pushed her this season. But even with all that talent, she noted, “Being one of the best dancers is never a guarantee that you’re gonna win.”
Fishel was genuinely surprised Leavitt didn’t make the finals.
“I did not think Whitney was going to win Dancing With the Stars, even though I think she’s one of the best dancers,” she explained. But she absolutely expected the reality TV star to make it to the finale.
As for why Leavitt was eliminated during the semi-finals, Fishel has a theory. It has to do with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. Leavitt’s final package was set up around the premiere of the Hulu series, which could have impacted the timing of her elimination.
“What makes the most compelling storytelling was for Whitney to go home tonight,
she added, elaborating how the storylines matched up perfectly with each show.
In the end, Fishel said the decision fit neatly into the show’s pattern of drama-driven editing.
“What makes the most captivating TV is seeing all of that and then immediately seeing that person go home,” the Boy Meets World star concluded. “I was hoping I was wrong, but I was not.”
Who will take home the Mirrorball? Watch the Dancing With the Stars Season 34 finale Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. EST on ABC and stream on Disney+.
This story was originally reported by Parade on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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