Andy Richter Exits DWTS 20th Birthday Show in Emotional Farewell
The DWTS 20th Birthday celebration was full of sparkle, nostalgia, and tough competition, but the biggest story of the night was Andy Richter’s emotional elimination with professional partner Emma Slater. Fans were left teary-eyed as the comedian bid farewell after giving his all on the dance floor.
Original host Tom Bergeron returned as a guest judge alongside co-host Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. They opened the night with a show-stopping number featuring six Season 1 pros, choreographed by judge Derek Hough. The evening also paid tribute to the late Len Goodman and former contestants including Aaron Carter, Jerry Springer, and Shannen Doherty.
The remaining seven couples then showcased new routines and competed in the high-stakes Relay Dance for bonus points, making every performance count.
Andy Richter and Emma Slater’s Heartfelt Goodbye
After performing a quickstep to “Puttin’ on the Ritz” by Robbie Williams and scoring 29/40, Andy Richter and Emma Slater were eliminated. Richter’s emotional farewell captivated both the judges and viewers:
“I’ve said it a bunch, it’s changed my life. I’m a different person because of this show and this woman. It’s been wonderful and I certainly feel like a winner.”
The heartfelt exchange showed the depth of Richter’s experience, highlighting how much the show impacted him personally. Emma Slater shared her admiration, saying:
“Andy brought joy and heart to every rehearsal and performance. He inspired all of us, and I couldn’t be prouder.”
What it means: Richter’s elimination reminded fans that DWTS is about personal growth, courage, and the relationships formed behind the scenes — not just competition.
Week 9 Performances and Scores
While Richter’s departure was the night’s emotional focus, other celebrities delivered spectacular routines:
- Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa: Cha cha to “Get Up” — 37/40
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy: Foxtrot to “Singin’ in the Rain” — 40/40
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach: Argentine tango to “Ain’t No Sunshine” — 40/40
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten: Salsa to “It Takes Two” — 36/40
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson: Foxtrot to “Footprints in the Sand” — 40/40
- Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas: Argentine tango to “Cell Block Tango” — 40/40
Relay Dance Round Brings Past Champions Back
The Relay Dance challenged current stars with past Mirrorball champions. Winning pairs earned two bonus points, influencing the leaderboard:
- Quickstep to “I Get a Kick Out of You”
- Jordan Chiles & Apolo Ohno — WINNER
- Elaine Hendrix & Rashad Jennings
- Viennese Waltz to “Worth It”
- Dylan Efron & Rumer Willis — WINNER
- Andy Richter & Kaitlyn Bristowe
- Jive to “Dance With Me Tonight”
- Robert Irwin & Xochitl Gomez — WINNER
- Alix Earle & Joey Graziadei
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, who previously won immunity, were exempt but received two bonus points.
Leaderboard and Remaining Contestants
After scoring and bonuses, the top performers were Robert Irwin, Dylan Efron, and Whitney Leavitt with 42 pointseach.
Remaining celebrities vying for the Mirrorball Trophy:
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson
- Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten
- Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach
Why it matters: Andy Richter’s departure shows fans that the journey, effort, and personal growth on DWTS are just as important as the scores.
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