Dancing with the Stars brought Disney’s Broadway music to the ballroom on November 2, with Tatyana Ali, Jenna Dewan and Jenna Johnson among the performers in a special Monday-night episode.
Eight celebrity couples competed during Season 35’s Disney Night, which featured musical performances, team dances and guest judge Cynthia Erivo.
Tatyana Ali Leads Team Slaytopia
Tatyana Ali, best known for playing Ashley Banks on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, performed a contemporary routine with professional partner Jan Ravnik.
Their dance was set to “Easy As Life” from Aida, accompanied by a live performance from Broadway singer Heather Headley.
Ali also took on a leadership role during the episode’s team competition.
She captained Team Slaytopia, which included:
- Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik
- Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas
- Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov
- Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa
The team was joined by host Alfonso Ribeiro for a performance to “Zoo” from Zootopia 2.
Ali entered Disney Night after a challenging previous episode. During Horror Movie Night, she and Ravnik received 28 out of 40 points for their paso doble, including a four from guest judge Shirley Ballas. They nevertheless survived the double elimination.
Jenna Dewan Performs a Beauty and the Beast Quickstep
Actress and dancer Jenna Dewan returned to the ballroom with professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy.
Their Disney Night routine was a quickstep set to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast.
Broadway performer Rodney Ingram provided the live vocals.
Dewan and Chmerkovskiy had delivered one of the stronger performances of the previous week, earning 37 out of 40 points for their Horror Movie Night Argentine tango.
Jenna Johnson Partners With Harry Shum Jr.
Another familiar Jenna was also in the ballroom.
Jenna Johnson, a professional dancer on the show, performed alongside actor Harry Shum Jr.
The pair danced a jazz routine to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from Mary Poppins, featuring a live vocal performance by Kyra Belle Johnson.
Johnson and Shum entered Disney Night with considerable momentum.
During the previous week’s Horror Movie Night, the couple earned 40 out of 40 points, the first perfect score of Season 35, for a contemporary routine inspired by Saw.
Disney Night Brings Back Team Dances
The episode featured a second group, Team Wildcats, captained by Connor Wood.
The lineup included:
- Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold
- Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach
- Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy
- Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson
Host Julianne Hough joined the group for a performance to “We’re All in This Together” from High School Musical.
The team competition gave the remaining contestants another opportunity to perform together as the season moved closer to its finale.
Cynthia Erivo Joins the Judges
Disney Night also welcomed acclaimed performer Cynthia Erivo to the judging panel.
Erivo joined regular judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli.
The evening celebrated Disney’s stage productions, with music from The Lion King, Aladdin, Hamilton, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast and other productions.
Why Did Dancing With the Stars Air on Monday?
The November 2 episode aired on Monday instead of the show’s usual Tuesday schedule.
The temporary change was made to accommodate television coverage of the November 3 U.S. midterm elections.
The show was scheduled to return to its regular Tuesday slot on November 10.
Viewers can watch Dancing with the Stars on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available the following day on Hulu.
Sources: ABC’s official Disney Night announcement · Entertainment Weekly’s schedule explanation · ABC’s Horror Movie Night recap