Dancing With the Stars Eliminates Fan Favorite on 20th Anniversary Episode

Dancing With the Stars said goodbye to season 34 contestants Andy Richter on Nov. 11 as the series marked 20 years on air with a Birthday Party episode featuring former host Tom Bergeron.

By Corinne Heller Nov 12, 2025 3:10 AM
| Updated Nov 12, 2025 3:44 PM
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Watch: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Eliminates Fan Favorite on 20th Anniversary Episode

Dancing With the Stars' 20th birthday was not so happy for Andy Richter and Emma Slater.

As the ABC dance competition marked the milestone on the Nov. 11 episode, the pair became the eighth couple to be voted off season 34. 

But for Andy, he feels "like a winner" regardless of the elimination.

"It's changed my life," the 59-year-old said alongside Emma. "I'm a different person because of this show and because of this woman right here. None of this would have happened without her. She knew how to use me."

Andy added, "It was just TikToks and dancing and it exploded. It's crazy."

On the episode, the couple danced the quickstep set to Robbie Williams' "Puttin' on the Ritz" and received a total score of 29. 

As the series heads into its final two episodes, only Alix Earle, Elaine Hendrix, Jordan Chiles, Dylan Efron, Whitney Leavitt and Robert Irwin remain for the semi-finals on Nov. 18.

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What Tom Bergeron Has Said About His Dancing With the Stars Exit and Return as Guest Judge

But while the episode was full of heartbreak for Andy and Emma, there was much to celebrate during the anniversary special, which also saw the return of some familiar faces.

OG host Tom Bergeron, who left DWTS after the 28th season in 2019, returned in a new capacity,  serving as a guest judge alongside Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough.

And Bergeron credited the dancing series' showrunner Conrad Green for convincing him to return to the ballroom after a tumultuous exit.

"He really kind of extended the olive branch," the 70-year-old explained, "and got me reminiscing about all the fond memories."

Disney/Frank Micelotta

In addition to Bergeron, all six of the show's original pro dancers—Edyta Sliwinska, Ashly DelGrosso, Louis van Amstel, Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jørgensen and winner Alec Mazo—also made an appearance. The group took part in an opening number choreographed by Derek, which was set to a reimagined live version of the DWTS theme by Ray Chew.

Disney/Andrew Eccles

And Bergeron and the former cast members who took part in the 20th Birthday Party are not the only faces from DWTS past to appear on the current season. Former veteran dance pros Kym Johnson-Herjavec and Cheryl Burke served as guest judges.

"I feel so great," Cheryl—a two-time Mirrorball Trophy winner—said on the Halloween episode on Oct. 28, "to be home again."

Until the new champ is crowned, keep reading to see all the celebrities who returned to honor the show's milestone episode. 

Jonathan Roberts, Charlotte Jørgensen, Edyta Sliwinska, Ahly Costa & Louis Van Amstel

All six original pros from season one—inlcuding Alec Mazo—returned for the show's birthday. In fact, they opened the episode with moves that proved they've still got what it takes to dance to the top.

Apolo Anton Ohno & Rashad Jennings

The Olympic speed skater (season 4 winner and  season 15 contestant) was Jordan Chiles' partner in the relay dance against Elaine Hendrix and her guest partner, NFL alum and season 24 winner Rashad. 

Xochitl Gomez & Joey Graziadei

Season 32 winner Xochitl partnered with Robert Irwin against Alix Earle and her partner, season 33 winner Joey for the relay dance. 

Rumer Willis & Kaitlyn Bristowe

Rumer (season 20 winner) partnered with Dylan Eforn in the relay dance against Andy Richter and Kaitlyn (season 29 winner). 

Kenya Moore

The Real Housewives of Atlanta star returned to the ballroom after competing on season 30 with Brandon Armstrong

Chandler Kinney

The Disney Channel star, also partnered with Brandon, returned after placing 3rd in season 33. 

Daniel Durant, Ilona Maher & Marlee Matlin

The season 31, season 33 and season 6 alums struck a pose together on the event's red carpet. 

Kelsey Anderson

The Bachelor alum was there in support of her fiancé Joey as he hit the stage with Alix. 

Sabrina Bryan

The Cheetah Girls star returned to the ballroom 18 years after she competed on season 5, before going on to compete in the all-stars 15th season.

Kristi Yamaguchi

The former champion smiled wide upon her return to the ballroom after skating to the top during season 6. 

Charity Lawson

The Bachelorette alum—and season 32 contestant—was a vision in gold on the red carpet.

Lindsay Arnold

The former pro—who last competed during season 30—returned to the ballroom. 

Stephen Nedoroscik

The Olympian was all smiles during his return after flipping his way to fourth during season 33 with partner Rylee Arnold

Bill Nye

The science guy returned to the ballroom 12 years after he became the dancing guy during season 17. 

Jenn Tran

The Bachelorette alum, who placed 7th alongside partner Sasha Farber during season 33, struck a pose. 

Chrishelle Strause

The Selling Sunset star returned after finishing in 8th during season 29 with partner Gleb Savchenko

Ariana Madix

The Love Island USA host showed off her new darker hair while returning after placing 3rd with Pasha Pashkov in season 32. 

Scott Hoying & Sasha Farber

The season 34 contestant, who was eliminated alongside Rylee, struck a pose with the former pro. 

Amanda Kloots

The 4th place finisher from season 30 returned to cheer on her former pro partner Alan Bersten

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