The “messy turn” on Dancing with the Stars Season 34 was a brief scoring mismatch during the September 16, 2025 premiere—not evidence of a wider judging controversy. After Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas danced their tango, Bruno Tonioli held up a seven paddle while the on-screen score showed an eight. Reports said Tonioli had entered an eight electronically by mistake.
What was the scoring mistake?
The mismatch came after Leavitt and Ballas performed a tango to HUNTR/X’s “Golden.” Viewers saw Tonioli’s paddle display a seven, but the digital score reflected an eight. Co-host Julianne Hough clarified the discrepancy on air, saying: “Oh, actually, just came through my ear right now, Bruno actually put in an eight, so we have to correct it,” then adding, “It’s a 15…We love live television!” Her remarks were quoted in contemporaneous coverage by E! News and MEAWW.
That distinction matters: reports describe an accidental electronic entry that did not match the paddle, not a change of mind or intentional score manipulation. The sources do not establish a more detailed technical cause.
When did it happen?
It happened on the Season 34 premiere, which ABC announced for September 16, 2025. The season was billed as the show’s 20th-anniversary season, with 14 celebrities competing. ABC’s announcement describes the format as celebrities paired with trained ballroom dancers for choreographed routines judged by ballroom experts. ABC’s September 10, 2025 announcement also said the show would simulcast live on ABC and Disney+, with episodes available on Hulu the next day.
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Did the mix-up affect the season’s outcome?
The reviewed coverage does not connect the premiere scoring error to any later result. Leavitt was eliminated in the semifinals on November 18, 2025, according to CinemaBlend’s coverage. A subsequent ABC News finale preview named Alix Earle, Robert Irwin, Dylan Efron, Elaine Hendrix and Jordan Chiles as the five remaining finalists. It previewed a November 25 finale with judges’ choice, instant dance and freestyle routines for each finalist; that article described the planned finale, rather than documenting its results.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you watch Season 34?
Disney+ currently lists Season 34 episodes, including the premiere, themed competition episodes, finale and holiday episode. Catalog availability can change; check the Disney+ Season 34 listing for current access. Season 34 is a past season, not the show’s current season.
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