Dancing With the Starsseason 35 is four weeks deep, and this cast clearly came to compete! The ballroom has an Olympic figure skater (Amber Glenn), a Paralympic champion (Ezra Frech) and the star of Step Up herself (Jenna Dewan). But Maura Higgins is also making her case for the Mirrorball Trophy, topping the leaderboard with Mark Ballas during October 6’s Mariah Carey Night. Their latest performances have fans placing their bets on this season’s frontrunners.
A high score never guarantees a win on DWTS, though. Viewer votes are combined with the judges’ scores each week, making audience support a crucial part of who advances. With Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrongeliminated in Week 4, the competition is getting tighter.
Keep reading to see who we think could take home this year’s Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
Who Has the Highest Scores Now on Dancing With the Stars?
Maura and Mark earned the highest score during October 6’s Mariah Carey Night, receiving 25/30 for their waltz. Ezra, Jenna, and Harry Shum Jr. followed with 24/30 each.
Across all four weeks, Maura and Harry are tied for the highest combined judges’ scores. Here are the cumulative totals for the 11 couples still competing, calculated from their weekly scores:
- Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas: 21 + 19 + 22 + 25 = 87/120
- Harry Shum Jr.and Jenna Johnson: 21 + 18 + 24 + 24 = 87/120
- Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach: 20 + 21 + 21 + 24 = 86/120
- Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov: 18 + 21 + 24 + 23 = 86/120
- Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy: 19 + 21 + 21 + 24 = 85/120
- Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa: 18 + 16 + 19 + 21 = 74/120
- Jackson Olson and Emma Slater: 15 + 18 + 18 + 21 = 72/120
- Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess: 17 + 16 + 17 + 21 = 71/120
- Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik: 12 + 18 + 21 + 20 = 71/120
- Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold: 16 + 15 + 20 + 19 = 70/120
- Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson: 10 + 12 + 15 + 13 = 50/120
The weekly score record puts just two points between the five highest-scoring couples. These cumulative totals help compare their performances throughout the season, but they do not include viewer votes or represent the show’s elimination standings.
Who Could Win Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars?
The Mirrorball race is starting to take shape, but the highest scores don’t tell the whole story. Dance skills, memorable routines, and the ability to turn viewers into voters all factor into entertainment outlets’ predictions.
Ezra and Daniella have become the couple to beat. TV Insider placed them first in its October 6 power rankings, published before Mariah Carey Night, pointing to his standout Week 2 cha-cha and connection with the audience.
Maura and Mark are making that prediction harder to call. The same outlet ranked them second, highlighting her surprising skill despite limited dance experience. Her Week 4 leaderboard-topping performance gives fans another reason to watch this partnership closely.
Amber and Pasha Pashkov also have a place in the conversation. TV Insider ranked them third, noting her strong performances and dedication. Could the Olympic figure skater turn her competitive instincts into a ballroom victory?
Then there are Harry and Jenna, whose dance backgrounds made them early names to watch. Some outlets singled out both as potential winners before the premiere, citing their experience and fan support. Their partnerships with Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy, respectively, remain among the season’s strongest.
Who Has Been Voted off DWTS So Far?
Five couples have been sent home as of October 7, 2026. Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were the first to leave on September 15, followed by Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills on September 16. Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten exited after Viral Hits Night on September 22.
Three couples have been sent home so far. Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman were the first to go on September 15, 2026, and Sarah Jane Nader and Hailey Bills followed on September 16, 2026. Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten were eliminated on September 22, 2026, after their Salsa tied for the lowest score of Viral Hits Night.
The celebrity chef kept her exit graceful, telling the hosts, per TODAY. “I tried my best, and it wasn’t best enough, but I did try my best.”
Taylor Hanson andBritt Stewart were eliminated during September 29’s Yacht Rock Night after performing a foxtrot to the Doobie Brothers’ “What a Fool Believes.” The latest departure was Ciara and Brandon, who went home following October 6’s Mariah Carey Night.
Ciara and Brandon earned their highest score of the season, 21/30, for their jazz routine to “Emotions,” but it wasn’t enough to keep them in the competition. Their exit leaves 11 couples competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.
