In a dramatic turn on Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars, actress Elaine Hendrix was forced to withdraw from the live Halloween-night show after sustaining a rib injury during rehearsal earlier in the day. The injury sidelined Hendrix and her professional partner, Alan Bersten, leaving the latter to perform alone while the judges scored a recorded rehearsal clip.
The Incident & Immediate Fallout
Hendrix reportedly suffered the rib injury during an intense rehearsal for an Argentine tango routine prepared for the show’s Halloween themed episode. The injury occurred when her ribs “seized up,” rendering her unable to move or continue, and necessitating hospital evaluation.
During the broadcast, host Alfonso Ribeiro announced her absence, and Bersten shared that Hendrix had to be escorted out of rehearsal on a stretcher after complaining of discomfort and breathlessness. Despite the incident, doctors cleared her to remain in the competition — contingent on sufficient viewer votes and her ability to recover quickly.
The Impact on the Competition
- Because Hendrix did not perform live, the judging panel based their scores on the rehearsal footage, awarding the duet consistently high marks but below their prior peak. The score this week: 32 out of 40.
- Her absence signals a critical moment for her campaign: without a live performance, the burden shifts more heavily to fan voting and the narrative of comeback/resilience.
- The timing — during Halloween Night, one of the most visible themed episodes of the season — raises the stakes. Missing such a marquee week could impact momentum and public perception.
Hendrix’s Response & Resolution
From her hospital bed, Hendrix addressed her fans with a video:
“Halloween is my favorite… I was beyond excited to share what we had worked so hard on… With your support, I’ll be back in the ballroom next week. I want nothing more.”
She added that her doctor expects a recovery with short rest “a day or two,” but emphasized the emotional toll of sitting out rather than dancing. Her partner echoed the sentiment, noting how traumatic it was to see her go down and commending her dedication.
What This Means Going Forward
- Recovery Timeline: Monitoring her health these next 48–72 hours will be key. If she returns strong next week, the narrative could shift from setback to comeback story.
- Vote-Driven Momentum: Without the live performance, her ability to rally fans and secure votes becomes more critical than ever. Social media engagement, interviews, and public appearances may now play a larger role.
- Performance Risks: Returning to full-throttle routines after an injury presents risk—not only physically, but also in how judges and audiences perceive execution quality.
- Brand Perception: Hendrix’s decision to press on despite injury could endear her to fans who value grit, but could also create scrutiny if performance dips or health setbacks recur.
Final Take
Elaine Hendrix’s unexpected withdrawal from the ballroom this week is far from the end of her journey. Rather, it marks a pivot point: one where her resilience, fan-base loyalty, and recovery will determine whether she transforms a crisis into a triumphant rebound. As she sits in the hospital yet poised for a return, her story tonight is not about absence—it’s about anticipation, grit, and the fight to still take center stage.
Credit: PopScopeNow Entertainment Desk – October 29, 2025
