Dancing With the Stars recap: The competition heats up on emotion-filled Dedication Night

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Dancing With the Stars season 33, episode 5, "Dedication Night."

I'm not crying, you're crying! The Dancing With the Stars contestants dug deep for Dedication Night when they honored important figures in their lives who've shaped them into the person they are today. Halfway through the competition, the dancers showed vast improvement, and many of the couples ended the night with tied scores.

The couples also had a little help from judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, who stopped by rehearsals to give midway pointers to each duo. And, DWTS alum Mark Ballas lent his ballroom expertise as a guest judge this week.

Pommel horse guy did the thing! Stephen Nedoroscik dedicated his Argentine tango to men’s gymnastics and began his routine the way he's most likely been itching to the entire season, on the pommel horse. Not only did he show off his gymnastics skills, but his dedication to learning each week was on full display. "At this stage in the competition," Derek said, "it's time to step it up, and you did that. Tonight, it was Stephen the man."

NFL star Danny Amendola, who's recently become a surprise fan favorite, impressed the judges and the crowd with his touching contemporary routine that honored his late coach Mike Leach. Fluid movements, gorgeous lifts, and a commitment to the emotion of the routine led to Danny receiving his highest score yet, a 36 out of 40.

NO FIVE for Phaedra Parks! Last week, guest judge Gene Simmons gave Phaedra a five for her paso doble when the rest of the judges gave her sevens. Tonight, after Phaedra's heartfelt rumba dedicated to her mother, Derek triumphantly stood up, pulled out his five paddle and broke it, simultaneously making a subtle jab at Simmons' scoring and showing that Phaedra deserved better.

It was a redemption round for olympic rugby star Ilona Maher, who went from sixes last week to eights this week for her soft and feminine rumba. And tying Danny and Witney for the top spot was Bachelor star Joey Graziadei with his romantic Viennese waltz. “I asked for a prince, you gave me a king!" Bruno said. "A king of ballroom.”

In addition to the contestants' performances, tonight's episode provided a dance that was nothing short of a miracle. Derek and his wife Hayley Erbert took to the DWTS ballroom floor for the first time since her 2023 brain surgery. Their stunning routine showcased Hayley's resilience and strength, as well as their love for each other. It would be shocking if there were a dry eye in the room or at home.

In the end, love couldn't save Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko from elimination. The couple, seemingly on and off the ballroom floor, exchanged "I love you"s upon learning they're going home.

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DWTS season 33 episode 5 scores

Here's where each couple landed on the leaderboard:

Danny & Witney - Contemporary, 36 out of 40
Joey & Jenna - Viennese waltz, 36 out of 40
Stephen & Rylee - Argentine tango, 33 out of 40
Chandler & Brandon - Contemporary, 32 out of 40
Phaedra & Val - Rumba, 32 out of 40
Brooks & Gleb - Salsa, 32 out of 40
Ilona & Alan - Rumba, 32 out of 40
Jenn & Sasha - Foxtrot, 32 out of 40
Dwight & Daniella - Rumba, 29 out of 40

Next week, the fan-favorite Disney Night makes its return! And for the first time this season, the stars will compete in team dances.

Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.