As Dancing with the Stars Season 34 barrels forward, the ballroom buzz is all about last week's TikTok Night fallout. The September 30 episode delivered viral dances and a gut-punch elimination that left fans reeling—indeed, the surprise boot of a fan-favorite duo has only ramped up the urgency for voting in the coming weeks. Professional dancer Daniella Karagach, known for her sharp choreography and that Emmy-nominated flair from past seasons, is steering her partner Dylan Efron through the competition with evident grit. Their contemporary routine to a trending sound scored solid points, but with the leaderboard tightening, every vote counts more than ever.
Voting opens right after each performance airs on Tuesdays, closing at 7 a.m. ET Wednesdays—however, for those glued to the screen, it's a frantic scramble. Fans can cast ballots online via the official DWTS site, where you select Karagach and Efron as Couple 5; the platform allows up to five votes per account weekly, a cap that's both generous and frustrating in this cutthroat field. Texting works too: Send "5005" to 21512 for their pair, again limited to five per phone. Moreover, the show's TikTok integration means social media shares can amplify visibility, though purists might scoff at how algorithms now sway the dance floor fates.
Karagach, 32 and a Brooklyn native with Moldovan roots, brings her competitive edge—recall her mirrorball win with Iman Shumpert in 2021—to keep Efron, the podcast host stepping out of brother Zac's shadow, in the mix. Their chemistry sparked during rehearsals, but critics note the pressure of celebrity pairings can expose vulnerabilities, like Efron's occasional footwork slips. Still, with Disney Night looming on October 7, their underdog status could flip the script. Indeed, as eliminations accelerate—two couples already out, including Corey Feldman early on—the voting mechanics feel increasingly pivotal, almost manipulative in their simplicity.
Yet in a season blending pop culture with polished steps, one wonders if fan fervor alone can sustain the magic, or if the pros like Karagach must carry the load.