A Star Defiant: Danielle Fishel’s “Magnificent” Argentine Tango Earns Her Breakthrough Moment on DWTS Wicked Night
Boy Meets World Star Shakes Off Critique with a Dark, Sexy, and Technically Proficient Performance, Earning All 9s and Massive Fan Praise
LOS ANGELES, CA – The ballroom was transformed into the shadowy realm outside the Emerald City for “Wicked Night,” and Danielle Fishel—known for her long run as the quintessential good girl, Topanga Lawrence—finally shed her good-girl persona, delivering what the judges and fans alike are calling her breakthrough performance of the season.
Paired with professional Pasha Pashkov, the Boy Meets World star tackled the notoriously difficult Argentine Tango to “No Good Deed,” a powerful solo track sung by Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The routine was a study in intensity, drama, and precise technique, culminating in a magnificent score of 36 out of 40 (four 9s) and catapulting the couple to one of the highest spots on the leaderboard.
An Answer to the Critics
The performance carried an undercurrent of defiance. Just last week, judge Carrie Ann Inaba had issued a pointed critique, telling Fishel and Pashkov that their dances were beginning to “look the same.” Fishel took the note to heart, using it as fuel to embrace the dark, moody side of the Argentine Tango—a style that is inherently complicated, requiring complex footwork, dramatic lifts, and intense connection.
In her pre-performance package, Fishel stated her goal was to perform something “so the opposite of Topanga,” embracing a “dark and moody side.” She and Pashkov delivered on that promise, showcasing an athletic, sensual, and acrobatic routine filled with sharp kicks, dramatic dips, and the trademark complex legwork required of the Argentine Tango.
Judges Declare a Breakthrough
The panel, which included guest judge Jon M. Chu, was universally impressed. The collective reaction signaled a significant shift in the perception of Fishel’s dancing abilities, moving her from a middle-of-the-pack contender to a serious competitor.
- Carrie Ann Inaba was the most emphatic, declaring the dance Fishel’s “breakthrough” moment on the show. “That was a powerful woman in action on our dance floor,” Inaba praised, acknowledging Fishel’s courage in stepping outside her comfort zone and successfully taking on the challenge.
- Bruno Tonioli lauded the authenticity and difficulty of the choreography: “That was pure, real Argentine Tango! Full of passion and drama! It had a fantastic style and placement,” he exclaimed, also recognizing the difficulty of setting such a complex dance to one of the musical’s most challenging songs.
- Derek Hough noted the professional quality of the performance: “You were doing professional moves. That was magnificent!” He did offer a small technical note, reminding her not to “mistake posture for constriction,” but his overall sentiment was overwhelmingly positive.
- Jon M. Chu loved seeing the star “rise” above any boxes she may have been put in, stating that he wished “the intensity grew at the end, but other than that, it was amazing.”
Receiving four 9s—her highest scores of the season—Danielle Fishel was visibly ecstatic, jumping with joy alongside a proud Pasha Pashkov.
The Fan’s “Black Swan” Moment
The judges’ praise was echoed, and amplified, by the DWTS fan base on social media, who felt that the score of 36 was long overdue. For many viewers, this was the performance that finally showed the depth and range of her talent.
One fan captured the sentiment perfectly, comparing the dramatic transformation to a cinematic turn: “I’ve described Danielle as a Swan! But Danielle.. this!!!! This is you in BLACK SWAN!! Sexy! Dark! Dramatic!!”
The difficulty of the routine was a frequent topic of conversation, underscoring the technical achievement: “Y’all need to understand the difficulty and technique that goes into dances like this! She really pushed herself this week.” The complexity of the dance, combined with her commanding stage presence, left fans in awe: “She looked so professional doing this dance. I didn’t know if she or Pasha was the professional. So happy she got all 9s.”
Another supporter highlighted the dramatic ending, an essential element of any great Argentine Tango: “That ending pose!!!! Yaaas!!!! That was a challenging dance and I’m so happy she got 9’s!!!!”
After a highly scrutinized season in which Danielle faced repeated comments about her lack of dynamic range, this performance not only silenced the critics but redefined her trajectory in the competition. By fully committing to the character of the outcast Elphaba—a character who ultimately decides to embrace her own power—Danielle Fishel has firmly established herself as a major contender for the Mirrorball Trophy. Her willingness to take on one of the season’s most challenging dances and execute it with such proficiency demonstrates a level of commitment that audiences and judges are finally rewarding in full.
