A GLINDA GONE GOOD: ALIX EARLE’S ‘WICKED NIGHT’ JAZZ LEAVES FANS DEFIANT OVER SCORES
Social Media Star Solidifies Frontrunner Status with ‘Best Dance of the Season,’ But Guest Judge’s Score Sparks Online Fury
LOS ANGELES, CA – Social media sensation Alix Earle and her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy delivered what many are calling a defining moment in their Dancing with the Stars Season 34 journey. During the highly anticipated “Wicked Night,” the duo performed a dazzling, high-energy Jazz routine to “What Is This Feeling?”—the iconic number from the musical, with the television audience left feeling enchanted, but simultaneously enraged over the judges’ final tally.
While the routine secured their position among the top scorers, an unusually low score from the guest judge ignited a massive wave of fan backlash, with many proclaiming that the star was “UNDERSCORED” and deserved a clean sweep of 9s and 10s.
A Delicious Performance of ‘What Is This Feeling?’
Alix Earle, channeling the bubbly, superficial-yet-endearing Glinda the Good, took on the central emotion of the song: that intense, inexplicable repulsion the character feels toward Elphaba. Paired with Chmerkovskiy, who sported green eyeliner in a subtle nod to the Wicked Witch of the West, the routine was a theatrical masterclass in character portrayal.
Earle, who admitted in her rehearsal package that her previous musical theater experience had relegated her to playing inanimate objects like “a tree” due to her lack of singing talent, finally got to live out her full Broadway dreams. She executed the Jazz routine with a sharp, sassy flair, incorporating challenging synchronization with the troupe dancers and nailing a precise, theatrical tone.
The choreography beautifully captured the comedic yet antagonistic tension between the two characters, making it a standout performance for its seamless blend of musical comedy and technical Jazz elements.
The Judges’ Verdict: A Near-Perfect Night
The judging panel—comprised of Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and special guest Jon M. Chu (director of the upcoming Wicked films)—offered glowing, borderline euphoric praise.
- Bruno Tonioli was the first to rave, calling the routine “delicious” and declaring it brought him right back to “classic musical comedy.”
- Carrie Ann Inaba agreed with the performance quality, stating simply: “It wasn’t your most difficult dance, but it was your best dance [of the season].”
- Derek Hough praised the storytelling, noting: “Tonight is all about storytelling, and the way you told that story was fantastic.”
- Jon M. Chu also commended the storytelling, saying he loves it when “the dance disappears into the performance—and that’s exactly what happened.”
Collectively, the pair received three 9s and one 8, for a total score of 35/40. The final tally cemented Earle’s impressive track record, maintaining her position near the very top of the leaderboard after weeks of consistent improvement.
The Fan Uproar: ‘An 8 Is Wild Omg’
Despite the high praise and a very respectable score, it was the single 8 from guest judge Jon M. Chu that became the flashpoint for massive fan frustration online. Social media immediately erupted with comments arguing the star was significantly undersold.
One fan comment, echoing the sentiments of thousands, stated: “Did anybody feel like they were watching a Broadway musical when she danced? She portrayed and danced her character so well. I loved it.” Another passionate viewer exclaimed, “She needs all 9’s!!!!!!!!”
The consensus among her supporters was that the performance transcended mere competition dancing and hit a theatrical peak that warranted a higher score. Comments poured in across platforms: “UNDERSCORED!!! She did PHENOMENAL and this dance was amazing!!” and simply, “an 8 is wild omg.” The fan community felt the single eight was a glaring oversight that unjustly hampered their overall ranking on a night where two other couples—Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas, and Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa—managed to secure the first 10s of the season.
Earle’s Evolution from Social Star to Ballroom Contender
The fervor surrounding the scoring reflects the significant journey Alix Earle has undertaken on Dancing with the Stars. Initially viewed by some as an internet personality capitalizing on her massive following, she has continually proven herself a dedicated and adaptable student of dance.
This Jazz routine—following a deeply emotional Contemporary piece dedicated to her sister the previous week—showcased her versatility and growing ability to embody complex characters. Her commitment to the technical demands of a difficult style like Jazz, combined with her innate stage charisma, has silenced many of her early critics.
While she and Chmerkovskiy missed out on the season’s first 10s, their 35/40 performance on “Wicked Night” was nonetheless a victory. It highlighted her undeniable star power and established her as a formidable contender not just on social media, but on the fiercely competitive ballroom floor. As the competition marches on, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy will undoubtedly carry the fire from this fan outcry into next week, determined to prove that their theatrical magic deserves nothing less than perfection.
