When Whitney Leavitt heard her name called for elimination on Dancing With The Stars on November 19, 2025, she didn’t cry. She smiled. And then she hugged her partner, Mark Ballas, tighter than she had after any of their routines. The moment came during the live results show at ABC Studios in Burbank, California, just after 8 p.m. Eastern, as millions watched on ABC and Disney+. Leavitt, a star of the reality series Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, had been a surprise contender — not because she was the strongest dancer, but because she showed up, week after week, with raw honesty and a quiet determination that resonated more than any choreographed lift.
"I Didn’t Think I’d Make It This Far"
Minutes after being told she was going home, Leavitt sat down with Denny Directo, national correspondent for Entertainment Tonight, for an exclusive interview. "Damn, you look good," Directo began. "No more sequins. I’m putting my sweats on."
Leavitt laughed. "That’s it. We’re done." But then, her voice cracked — not with sadness, but with awe. "It was definitely worth it. I would do it all again."
She didn’t talk about scores or votes — none were released — but about something deeper. "Every single week I talked to Mark and I was like, ‘Tonight might be the night.’ But I’m happy with what we’ve done." She paused. "Maybe it’s the little kid in me that had all these dreams but felt unobtainable. Now they feel within reach."
That line — "within reach" — stuck with viewers. For many, it wasn’t about dancing. It was about transformation. Leavitt, who entered the competition as a wife, mother, and reality TV personality, left as someone who’d rediscovered a part of herself she hadn’t touched since childhood.
The Husband Who Showed Up — In Costume
Behind every great (and surprisingly resilient) DWTS contestant is often a quiet support system. In Leavitt’s case, that was her husband, Conor Leavitt. He didn’t just attend every live episode. He dressed for them. Each week, he matched the theme: a cowboy for country week, a tuxedo for Viennese Waltz, even a glittery space suit for the sci-fi-themed routine. Fans noticed. Memes exploded. One Twitter user wrote: "Conor Leavitt is the real MVP of DWTS 2025."
Leavitt confirmed he was her anchor. "He never missed a rehearsal. Never complained about the late nights. He just showed up — in whatever ridiculous outfit he thought I’d love."
She also received a special message from one of her co-stars on Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — though the identity wasn’t disclosed. Given the show’s tight-knit, faith-centered community, the gesture carried weight. For many in her circle, watching her dance wasn’t just entertainment — it was a quiet act of rebellion against expectations.
Why This Matters Beyond the Dance Floor
DWTS has always been about second chances. But rarely has a contestant’s journey felt so personal, so unfiltered. Leavitt wasn’t a former NFL star or a Broadway diva. She was a woman from Utah, navigating public scrutiny, family life, and the pressure of being "the Mormon wife" on national TV — and she chose to dance anyway.
Her elimination came in the 10th week of the season, which premiered on September 23, 2025. That’s later than many expected for someone without a dance background. But here’s the twist: she outlasted several celebrities with more experience. The judges praised her improvement, especially her rhythm and emotional presence. One judge, in a behind-the-scenes interview with People, said: "She didn’t win with technique. She won with truth."
And that’s why her exit hit harder than most. It wasn’t just about losing a competition. It was about losing a space where she felt seen — not as a reality star, not as a wife, but as someone who dared to dream again.
What’s Next for Leavitt?
Leavitt didn’t announce any new projects. No book deal. No tour. No return to DWTS next season. But she didn’t have to. "I would do it all again," she told Directo. That’s the kind of line that lingers.
Her husband, Conor, has already started teasing a possible Instagram series: "The Making of a Non-Dancer." And her co-stars from Secret Lives of Mormon Wives have hinted at a special episode in the upcoming season — one that explores "the ripple effect of courage."
Meanwhile, the 2025 DWTS season continues. The finale is expected in mid-December. But for many viewers, the real story ended the moment Whitney Leavitt smiled through tears and said: "I’m so grateful."
Behind the Scenes: The Ballas Effect
Mark Ballas, a two-time DWTS champion and veteran pro, didn’t say much during the interview. But his silence spoke volumes. He held Leavitt’s hand the entire time. He didn’t flinch when she cried. He didn’t try to fix it. He just stayed there.
Ballas has mentored dozens of celebrities over the years. But in a recent podcast with Entertainment Weekly, he admitted: "Whitney was the first one who made me cry. Not because she danced well. Because she believed in herself — even when she didn’t think she could."
That’s the real magic of DWTS. It’s not about the mirror ball. It’s about the moment someone realizes they’re more than they thought they were.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Whitney Leavitt’s elimination considered surprising?
Whitney Leavitt was not a trained dancer, yet she outlasted several celebrities with stronger dance backgrounds. Her emotional connection to the routines and consistent improvement — despite low scores early on — made viewers root for her. Her elimination in week 10, while not the latest, felt unexpected because she defied the typical DWTS trajectory of early exits for non-professionals.
Did Whitney Leavitt receive any scores from the judges?
No official judge scores or viewer vote percentages were released by ABC or the DWTS production team after her elimination. The focus of the broadcast and the ET interview remained on her personal journey rather than competitive metrics, which is unusual but not unprecedented for emotionally resonant contestants.
How did her role on 'Secret Lives of Mormon Wives' influence her DWTS experience?
Her reality TV background brought both scrutiny and support. While some critics dismissed her as a "TV personality," her co-stars and fans in the LDS community rallied behind her, seeing her dance as a bold step beyond traditional expectations. The messages she received from fellow cast members underscored how her participation was viewed as a quiet act of personal liberation.
What impact did Mark Ballas have on Whitney’s journey?
Mark Ballas, a two-time DWTS champion, served as both coach and emotional anchor. He adapted his teaching style to match her pace, prioritizing confidence over perfection. In interviews, he admitted she was one of the few contestants who made him cry — not from technical skill, but from her unwavering belief in herself despite the odds.
Will Whitney Leavitt return to Dancing With The Stars?
No official plans have been announced. However, Leavitt told Entertainment Tonight she "would do it all again," and her husband has hinted at a behind-the-scenes project. DWTS has previously invited emotional fan favorites back for special reunions or All-Stars seasons — so while not confirmed, her return remains a possibility.
What made Whitney Leavitt’s story resonate with viewers beyond the show?
Her journey tapped into a universal feeling: the fear that your dreams are too late, too small, or too ordinary. She didn’t win — but she reclaimed something. For women in conservative communities, for parents who’ve put themselves last, and for anyone who’s ever whispered, "I used to want this," her story was a mirror. And that’s why, even in defeat, she won.
Hi, I'm Darnell Beauchamp, an entertainment expert with a passion for all things music. As a seasoned journalist and critic, I've spent years exploring the intricacies of the music industry and the creative minds behind it. I love attending concerts, dissecting albums, and interviewing artists to provide my readers with unique insights and perspectives. My goal is to share my knowledge and enthusiasm for music through engaging articles and thought-provoking commentary. In my free time, you'll often find me jamming on my guitar, hunting for rare vinyl records, or getting lost in a biography of a fascinating musician. I live in Calgary, Canada, with my wife Teresa and our children, Malachi and Phoebe. We share our home with our beloved pets, Scribbler the Maine Coon cat, and Scout our Golden Retriever.