Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik Shockingly Eliminated from 'Dancing With The Stars' in Semifinals

When Jen Affleck and her professional partner Jan Ravnik were eliminated from Dancing With The Stars ABC during the Halloween Night special on October 28, 2025, fans didn’t just gasp—they screamed. Despite racking up a staggering 55 million viewer votes, the couple was sent home in Week 7, just as the competition entered its semifinal stretch. Their contemporary dance to Taylor Swift’s "Look What You Made Me Do" was technically sharp, emotionally charged, and visually striking. Yet, it wasn’t enough. The twist? They weren’t the lowest-scoring couple. The voting system, which blends audience turnout with judges’ scores, pulled the plug on one of the season’s most beloved pairs—and left viewers wondering how this happened.

The Halloween Night That Broke the Rules

The Halloween Night ABC episode was supposed to be a spectacle. And it delivered. Whitney Love slayed as Beetlejuice in a jazz routine that had the judges leaping out of their seats. Dylan Efron brought chills with a haunting Viennese Waltz to Elvis Presley’s "Can’t Help Falling in Love," reimagined with gothic strings and candlelight. But the night’s most dramatic moment came when Elaine Hendricks and Alan Berson collapsed mid-foxtrot after a misstep that sent Hendricks tumbling onto the floor. She was helped offstage, the crowd hushed, and the show paused for over a minute. The injury, confirmed by Match Point Media, was non-life-threatening but enough to derail her momentum—and shift the emotional weight of the night.

Here’s the thing: Jen Affleck wasn’t supposed to go this early. She’d consistently scored in the 29-30 range since Week 5. Her Viennese Waltz during "Dedication Night" had earned her a standing ovation. Fans had nicknamed her "The Quiet Storm" for her understated yet powerful performances. And yet, when the votes were tallied, she and Jan were sent home. Why? Because the judges’ scores, which had been lower than expected for their Halloween routine, tipped the scale. Even with 55 million votes—nearly double the next highest—the math didn’t add up.

Who’s Left Standing?

The elimination cuts the field to eight couples, with only four episodes left before the finale on November 25, 2025. The remaining dancers include Danielle Fishell and Pasha Pashkov, who scored 29 for their jive; Andy Richter and Emma Slater, who landed 24 for their salsa; and Scott Hoying and Kylee, who were eliminated the prior week after their emotionally raw performance to "The Wizard and I."

The competition’s format has shifted dramatically since Week 5. Back then, no one was eliminated due to the "Dedication Night" theme—a deliberate emotional pause in the season. Now, the stakes are razor-thin. Each week feels like a survival test. "It’s not about who danced best," one longtime fan posted on Reddit. "It’s about who the judges believe can win the whole thing. And Jen? She was the frontrunner."

Why This Elimination Matters

This isn’t just about one couple’s exit. It’s about what it says about the show’s direction. ABC has leaned hard into audience voting since Season 30, but this week revealed a dangerous flaw: popularity doesn’t always equal longevity. The judges, who control 50% of the outcome, are clearly prioritizing technical mastery and potential for the finale over fan favorites. That’s a shift from earlier seasons, where fan favorites like Derek Hough and Carrie Ann Inaba often let viewers decide.

For Jen Affleck, the elimination was bittersweet. In a brief post-elimination interview, she said, "Taking part in the show was everything." She thanked her team, her family, and fans who stayed up late voting. But she didn’t hide the sting. "I thought we had one more week," she admitted. "I didn’t think we’d leave before the final four."

What Comes Next?

The next episode, Season 34’s Episode 8, airs Tuesday, November 4, 2025, with a new theme: "Movie Classics Night." Expect big budgets, elaborate costumes, and even more high-risk routines. With only three weeks left, the pressure is mounting. The remaining couples will need to deliver not just great dances—but performances that can’t be ignored. And with Elaine Hendricks recovering and Dylan Efron rising in popularity, the race is wide open.

Here’s the reality: Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik were the most consistent couple after Week 3. Their elimination signals a new era for Dancing With The Stars—one where even the best dancers can fall victim to a system that values unpredictability over loyalty.