The competition returned with a stunning flourish after a week-long break, launching the milestone episode with an electrifying opening number featuring Beyoncé’s iconic hit “Crazy in Love.” This song, a nostalgic nod to the series’ inception back in 2005, set the tone for an unforgettable evening filled with passion, energy, and a celebration of dance.

The dazzling performance included this season’s professional dancers, highlighted by judge Derek Hough, co-host Julianne Hough, and a special appearance from Season 27 champion Sharna Burgess, who brought her own flair to the floor, adding to the excitement of the night.

Though the night was a celebration, the competition remained fierce. The dances were still rigorously judged by Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, with one couple ultimately facing elimination. Additionally, the pairs had to put in extra effort as they prepared for the challenging “Instant Dance” segment, making the stakes even higher for this special episode.

Discover the scores from this thrilling episode, learn who was sent home, and catch exclusive interviews with the couples on TooFab!

Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson set the stage ablaze with their captivating contemporary routine, drawing inspiration from Riker Lynch and Allison Holker’s iconic performance in Season 20 to Hozier’s “Work Song,” mesmerizing the audience and judges alike.

Scores: 28 (9, 10, 9)

Later in the evening, Joey showcased his versatility by performing the Rumba for their “Instant Dance” to Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather.” With only five minutes to prepare, the couple delivered a “steamy” performance, as described by Bruno, and achieved straight 9s for their one-minute routine.

Scores: 27 (9, 9, 9)

Complete for each rounds: 55

Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach presented an intense Argentine Tango inspired by the memorable performance of James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess in Season 23, dancing to “Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)” by Gotan Project.

To enhance their performance, the pair utilized a platform in the center of the ballroom, skillfully managing their height difference. While Carrie Ann expressed a desire to see more dance from Dwight, Derek was thoroughly impressed by the routine’s execution.

Scores: 26 (8, 9, 9)

In an unexpected twist, Dwight selected the challenging Paso Doble for their performance to “Victorious” by Panic! At The Disco, which left Daniella feeling disappointed. Nonetheless, Carrie Ann commended Dwight for tackling such a tough dance.

Scores: 22 (8, 7, 7)

Complete for each rounds: 48

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, after feeling slightly frustrated by Carrie’s Week 7 score, had much to celebrate this week as they achieved the first perfect score of the season with their Argentine Tango, inspired by Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough’s performance in Season 16 to “Para Te” by Appart. Derek expressed that he preferred their routine over his own, highlighting Chandler’s impressive floor work.

Scores: 30 (10, 10, 10)

For their Instant Dance round, Chandler and Brandon selected a Cha Cha to “Apple” by Charli XCX. Despite Brandon being unfamiliar with the song at first, the duo delivered an outstanding performance, earning another perfect score! Derek praised Chandler, stating she “owned that routine and left no crumbs.”

Scores: 30 (10, 10, 10)

Complete for each rounds: 60

Following their impressive scores, Chandler and Brandon shared their thoughts with TooFab about their feelings going into the semi-finals. Both acknowledged that while the perfect scores were exciting, they still had plenty to improve upon as they advanced in the competition.

Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten dazzled the audience with their Quickstep, inspired by Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold’s captivating performance in Season 25 to Pharrell Williams’ “Chuck Berry.” Carrie Ann was left speechless, praising Ilona’s lines as “beautiful” and highlighting their impressive technique.

Scores: 28 (10, 9, 9)

Their pair caused a stir in the audience during their Instant Salsa to “Da’ Dip” by Freak Nasty, with Bruno noting that they nearly crash-landed “three times” during the performance, showcasing their commitment to excitement and entertainment.

Scores: 24 (8, 8, 8)

Complete for each rounds: 52

In a celebration of athleticism, Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold performed a graceful Viennese Waltz, drawing inspiration from Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas’ performance in Season 31 to Joji’s “Glimpse of Us.” Bruno encouraged Stephen to take pride in their routine, noting that he finally captured the lyrical essence of dance, leading to two 10s awarded for their performance!

Scores: 29 (10, 10, 9)

For their Instant Dance, Stephen and Rylee chose a lively Jive to “love is embarrassing” by Olivia Rodrigo. Despite some critiques regarding their execution, Rylee took responsibility for one mistake, yet they still managed to secure a respectable score considering the limited preparation time.

Scores: 25 (9, 8, 8)

Complete for each rounds: 54

As the pair heard their names called to advance to the semi-finals, Rylee expressed her joy, noting that reaching this stage in the competition was a dream come true for her, fulfilling all the aspirations she had as a little girl watching the show.