Dylan and Olivia danced to “Rewrite the Stars” from ‘The Greatest Showman,’ performed in the film by Zendaya and their brother Zac
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NEED TO KNOW
- Dylan Efron’s 5-year-old sister Olivia “buried her head in my chest” when he first asked her to join him on stage during Dancing with the Stars
- The Traitors alum tells PEOPLE that Olivia said there was “no way” she’d step on stage with him, before eventually warming up to the idea
- Dylan and Olivia joined forces to dedicate a dance to their older brother Zac on Tuesday, Oct. 14
Dylan Efron and his little sister Olivia’s Dancing with the Stars performance almost never happened.
After his heartfelt dance with Olivia during DWTS’ Dedication Night on Wednesday, Oct. 15, The Traitors alum revealed to PEOPLE that it was “everything” to him — although it took some time for his 5-year-old sister to be on board with the idea.
As a nod to their brother Zac, 37, both Dylan and Olivia joined forces and danced to “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman (performed by Zac and Zendaya in the film). The pair twirled together on stage before partner Daniella Karagach stepped in to finish the contemporary routine.
“When I first asked her if she would do this with me, she buried her head in my chest and was like, ‘No, there’s no way,’ ” Dylan, 33, recalls. “And then she came to the first week and she told me after, she’s like, ‘I’m thinking about it.’ Week two, she said she’ll do it and that she’s not afraid of anything. And then she showed up and actually didn’t get afraid of anything.”
Karagach, 32, reiterated that Olivia “wasn’t afraid.”
“She was ready in her dress with a pointed toe. There you go,” she says.
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As for the most valuable lesson Dylan learned from dancing alongside his younger sister, he tells PEOPLE that “she’s just always showed” him love. “And she’s always been well-spoken for her age, too. But I think when she pours her love into me, it’s like, how can I not reciprocate it,” he says.
“Boston” Rob Mariano, Dylan’s former The Traitors costar who was on site to offer some encouragement, added after the performance that “everybody’s just proud.”
“It just goes to show that this show is about more than just dancing. And I think both Dylan and Daniella showed that tonight, and Olivia. So it’s cool to be able to be here and be a small part of it,” he says.
Dylan, Olivia and Karagach’s performance — a nod to Dylan’s brother Zac — earned them 36/40 from the judges and plenty of high praise. Carrie Ann Inaba said Olivia was “incredible” and Dylan “made her night,” while Bruno Tonioli said Olivia had perfectly pointed toes.
Zac and Dylan are the sons of Starla Baskett and David Efron. After his parents‘ 2016 divorce, Dylan became a big brother when David welcomed Olivia and Henry, 4, with his new wife.
