Dancing With the Stars delivered another surprise on Oct. 6 as Ciara Miller and professional partner Brandon Armstrong were eliminated during the show’s Mariah Carey-themed week.
The result came after Miller and Armstrong performed a jazz routine to Carey’s “Emotions.” Their judges’ score placed them in a four-way tie in the middle of the leaderboard, but the combination of scores and viewer votes was not enough to carry them into the next round.
Ciara Miller exits during week four
Miller and Armstrong received 21 points from judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. With several couples clustered around similar scores, the public vote became especially important in determining who would remain in the competition.
When the results were announced, Miller and Armstrong were the pair leaving the ballroom. The elimination stood out because their score did not put them alone at the bottom, underscoring how unpredictable the competition can become when viewer support is factored in.
The format has long produced unexpected exits, particularly in weeks when the judges’ leaderboard is tightly packed. A few points can separate a large portion of the cast, leaving voting strength to decide the outcome.
Mariah Carey night reshaped the competition
The Oct. 6 episode challenged the celebrity contestants and their professional partners to perform to songs from Carey’s catalog. The theme offered a mix of styles and recognizable music while increasing the pressure as the season moved into week four.
For Miller, the performance represented her final chance to show progress in the ballroom. Her 21-point score kept her competitive on paper, but it also placed her among several contestants whose survival depended heavily on audience support.
Armstrong has guided a range of celebrity partners through previous seasons and once again faced the challenge of building routines around a contestant’s strengths while meeting the technical expectations of the judges.
The Mirrorball race gets tighter
With another couple eliminated, the remaining field is narrowing and every performance now carries more weight. Contestants must balance technical improvement with memorable routines that encourage viewers to vote.
The surprise surrounding Miller’s exit is also likely to serve as a warning to the remaining cast: a respectable judges’ score does not guarantee safety.
As season 35 continues, the competition will move on without Miller and Armstrong, while the remaining couples prepare for another week of rehearsals, judging and public voting. If Mariah Carey night proved anything, it is that the leaderboard alone cannot predict who will be dancing the following week.