During the much-anticipated “Grammy Night” episode of Dancing with the Stars on November 10, seven couples took the floor to honor iconic Grammy-winning songs. The night featured a blend of salsa, tango, and a standout jazz number performed by Jenna Dewan and her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy. Their routine was set to Janet Jackson’s 2002 hit “All for You,” a track that earned the singer a Best Dance Recording Grammy. The performance earned a strong 28 out of 30 from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, and even prompted a surprise video greeting from Janet herself.
Janet Jackson’s unexpected cameo and the judges’ reaction
Janet Jackson, the 60-year-old icon who originally danced alongside Dewan in the “Doesn’t Really Matter” and “All for You” videos, appeared via a pre-recorded message that played just before the routine. She told Dewan, “I cannot wait to watch you perform tonight… I feel so honored all for you,” and added, “Let’s get together when I’m back in L.A.” The emotional moment moved Dewan to tears, reinforcing her belief that the performance marked a “full circle moment” in her career. Judges praised the chemistry and precision of the pair: Carrie Ann praised Dewan’s ability to inspire future jazz students, Derek highlighted her “in-the-pocket” timing, and Bruno remarked that she “outdanced Val.”
Shock elimination and the couple’s reflections
Despite the glowing scores, the live audience vote combined with judges’ points sent Dewan and Chmerkovskiy home. When asked by Extra why the unexpected exit occurred, Dewan admitted, “I don’t honestly know the answer to that. I know this was a particularly tough week for a lot of the online noise and all stuff that comes with the show. I’ll never know how, or if, any of that plays into this. But we went out there and had the best time of our life.” Val echoed the sentiment, describing the competition as “very competitive” and stating, “Every week’s a shock… no regrets, we had a great season.” Both emphasized their continued support for the remaining contestants.
Scoreboard overview and dance-off highlights
The episode’s scoreboard placed Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson at the top with a combined total of 31, thanks to immunity from a previous high score and two bonus points from the dance-off. Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov followed closely at 30, as did Dewan and Chmerkovskiy despite their elimination. The remaining couples—Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas (29), Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold (27), Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach (27), and Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik (27)—were also featured. The dance-off pits were fierce: Amber & Pasha triumphed over Ezra & Daniella, Dewan & Val edged out Tatyana & Jan, and Maura & Mark bested Connor & Rylee, each earning crucial extra points.
What comes next for the competition
With the semifinal round looming, the remaining six pairs must now navigate tighter score margins and intensified viewer voting. The judges hinted that the upcoming week will be decisive, especially as the contest edges toward the final showdown. Meanwhile, Dewan’s public acknowledgment of Janet Jackson’s influence—”Putting Grammys and Janet Jackson together, this is a full circle moment”—has resonated with fans, underscoring the emotional stakes that extend beyond mere points. As the ballroom lights dim for the next episode, viewers will be watching closely to see which couples can transform high scores into lasting fan support.
