Dancing with the Stars turned real-life gritty when Dylan Efron revealed on October 25, 2025, that he suffered a broken nose in rehearsal with pro partner Daniella Karagach. The Traitors alum posted ER photos and a video, joked “Broke my nose, but don’t need it to dance,” and vowed he’d be “back dancing tomorrow.” He also thanked Pasha Pashkov and Danielle Fishel for staying by his side after the accident.
The injury arrived just days after a standout “Dedication Night” that featured Dylan’s 5-year-old half-sister Olivia on the ballroom floor for a tribute to their brother Zac Efron, set to “Rewrite the Stars” from The Greatest Showman—originally sung by Zac and Zendaya. That routine with Karagach earned a 36/40 and a string of nines from the judges.
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What happened in rehearsal?
Dylan said the broken nose came from an accidental elbow while trying “a new move” with Karagach. “It’s midnight, and I’m in the hospital because Dani broke my nose. We were trying a new move, and I took an elbow right here,” he explained from the ER, adding, “And it made a really loud crack.” He closed with the promise: “We’ll be back dancing tomorrow.”
Entertainment Weekly’s same-day rundown echoed Dylan’s post and caption—“Broke my nose … but don’t need it to dance”—and noted his shout-outs to “Dani [Karagach], Pasha [Pashkov], and Danielle [Fishel].” (EW)
Support system: pros, friends, and family
Dylan wrote that “Dani, Pasha and Danielle WOULDN’T leave my side when it happened,” calling the trio “friends like them.” In comments under his Instagram post, fellow DWTS names sent well wishes, including Val Chmerkovskiy, Mark Ballas, Emma Slater, Robert Irwin, and “Boston” Rob Mariano.
The family presence has been strong all season. After the live show on October 22, 2025, Dylan told Extra that Zac is “supporting me every day,” even if he hasn’t popped up in the audience yet. “Hey, he’s doing his thing,” Dylan said, while noting that the rest of the Efron clan has been “front and center.”
Dedication night momentum (and a Zac tribute)
On “Dedication Night,” Dylan brought Olivia for a family-first performance tied to the Zac-Zendaya duet from The Greatest Showman. He recalled the sibling bond on camera: “I wasn’t expecting to be a big brother. She’s 5, and I’m 33 … She’s everything to me.” The number ended with Olivia sprinting back for a hug after Dylan and Daniella’s contemporary finish—and the pair “received all nines,” surpassing Dylan’s expectation of “one nine.”
Fans still watching the audience for Zac got clarity from Dylan: Zac is busy, but the support is real behind the scenes; meanwhile, Olivia is “still on cloud nine,” “back in dance classes,” and “crushing it.”
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What’s next for Halloween week
Despite the cracked nose, Dylan is slated for Halloween Week and a Viennese Waltz to “Can’t Help Falling in Love (DARK),” a cover by Tommee Profitt and Brooke.
Entertainment Weekly added that Efron and Karagach are among the nine couples still in the race for the Mirrorball, with Dancing With the Stars airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+ and streaming the next day on Hulu.
Contestants, pros, and personalities mentioned (season 34)
- Dylan Efron — contestant; 33; The Traitors alum.
- Daniella Karagach — pro partner; involved in rehearsal accident; finished the Dedication Night routine with Dylan.
- Pasha Pashkov — pro; supported Dylan after the injury.
- Danielle Fishel — contestant; stayed with Dylan at the hospital; previously revealed a hamstring bruise earlier this season.
- Val Chmerkovskiy, Mark Ballas, Emma Slater, Robert Irwin, “Boston” Rob Mariano — sent public support.
- Olivia — Dylan’s 5-year-old half-sister; performed on Dedication Night; “back in dance classes.”
- Zac Efron — older brother; not in the audience as of Oct. 24; “supporting me every day.”
- Zendaya — performed “Rewrite the Stars” with Zac in The Greatest Showman.
- Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli — judges cited praising Dedication Night; Derek Hough and host Julianne Hough pictured in season art; cohost Alfonso Ribeiro appears in the season promo image.
What a broken nose means for DWTS week-to-week
A cracked nose is painful and can affect spotting and balance, especially in turns typical of Viennese Waltz. Dylan has already shown he can adapt under pressure by returning to rehearsal immediately. The “Dedication Night” momentum—plus a confident partner in Karagach and visible community support—suggests he’ll prioritize frame, footwork, and musicality over high-risk tricks while the swelling subsides.
Schedule & how to watch
Dancing with the Stars airs live on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming on Hulu. Halloween Week follows the injury and sets up Dylan and Daniella’s Viennese Waltz to “Can’t Help Falling in Love (DARK).”
The bottom line
Dylan Efron’s “don’t need it to dance” quip sums up the week. A broken nose on October 25, 2025, won’t keep him from the Halloween Week ballroom, where he and Daniella Karagach aim to build on their recent 36/40. For fans tracking DWTS, the family storyline, the Zac tribute, and a swift recovery keep Dancing with the Stars compelling as the field narrows to nine couples.
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