In a now‑viral scene from the September 30 airing of Dancing with the Stars (Season 34), fans noticed an awkward interaction between contestants Danielle Fishel and Whitney Leavitt. After the shocking elimination of Lauren Jauregui and Brandon Armstrong, Leavitt seemed to celebrate their own safety — and Fishel looked to immediately check her enthusiasm. In recent days, Fishel has broken her silence, addressed speculation about a feud, and defended her motives. Below, an inside look at what really went down.
What Went Viral: The Fishel–Leavitt Moment on DWTS
On the night of September 30 — the “TikTok Night” episode — Lauren Jauregui and pro Brandon Armstrong were eliminated from the competition, despite delivering a cha‑cha to “Work From Home” (by Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign). The shock rippled through the cast, and cameras captured an exchange between Danielle Fishel (age 44) and Whitney Leavitt (age 32) that immediately drew social media buzz.
In the clip, Leavitt is seen laughing or smiling, apparently celebrating the fact she survived elimination. But soon after, Fishel appears to say something; at that moment, Leavitt’s smile falters, and her facial expression shifts. Observers on TikTok and X quickly speculated that Fishel had “shut down” Leavitt or “put her in her place.”
One fan posted: “Danielle Fishel putting Whitney Leavitt in her place after Whitney tries to celebrate making it to another week 😂😂.” Another commenter quipped, “Can’t get over how pissed Danielle looks after briefly talking to Whitney. She’s like read the room girl!”
However, new footage from a different camera angle casts doubt on a purely hostile interpretation. That angle appears to show Fishel accidentally bumping into Leavitt, then briefly holding her hand before turning away. Some fans began to reassess the interaction as possibly benign, rather than deliberate drama.
Danielle Fishel Breaks Her Silence — What She Says Now
The day after the episode, TMZ caught Fishel leaving rehearsal and questioned her about the moment. Was she “putting Whitney in her place”? “No,” she responded emphatically. “It’s a roller coaster of emotions. We can be happy for ourselves and our friends that were safe and also sad that somebody is gone.” She continued, “So I definitely did not put her in her place, but I just went to go comfort my friend.”
Falling just days later, Jauregui’s elimination clearly weighed on Fishel’s mind. On her podcast Danielle With the Stars, she described the exit as “very shocking.” “I really love Lauren. I love watching her perform. … Her face is just a work of art, and she’s expressive and graceful and fun,” Fishel gushed. She called it “super sad” and noted that Lauren “wasn’t in the bottom score-wise,” highlighting how crucial fan votes are in DWTS eliminations.
Fishel also addressed the moment by defending Leavitt. She reiterated, “I definitely did not put her in her place,” and again said she “went to go comfort my friend” in the chaotic post-elimination moments.
Danielle says she wasn’t throwing shade at all! pic.twitter.com/8Cr9S1p4q0
— TMZ (@TMZ) October 2, 2025
DWTS Season 34 Cast & Context (With Fishel & Leavitt)
- Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars premiered September 16, 2025, on ABC and Disney+ (simulcast).
- The show airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT and is available to stream on Hulu the following day.
- Fishel is partnered with Pasha Pashkov.
- Leavitt, from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, is paired with Mark Ballas.
- Other cast members this season include: Lauren Jauregui with Brandon Armstrong (eliminated in Week 3); Andy Richter with Emma Slater; Elaine Hendrix with Alan Bersten; Alix Earle with Val Chmerkovskiy; Hilaria Baldwin with Gleb Savchenko; Robert Irwin with Witney Carson; Corey Feldman; Dylan Efron with Daniella Karagach; Scott Hoying with Rylee Arnold.
How Social Media Reacted — Fishel Called Out, Defended, and Debated
The DWTS fandom was quick to weigh in. On X, one user wrote, “Talk about not reading the room here, everyone is in shock and sad and Whitney thinks it’s time to be funny.” Another added: “Danielle Fishel putting Whitney Leavitt in her place after Whitney tries to celebrate making it to another week.” Some viewers thought Fishel had scolded Whitney; others insisted it was an inoffensive, emotion‑driven moment.
Entertainment Weekly noted that Leavitt had already acknowledged a reputation as a “villain” from her work on The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which may have tilted fans toward reading hostility into her expression changes.
Talk about not reading the room here, everyone is in shock and sad and Whitney thinks its time to be funny. I love that Danielle shut her down, that was so insensitive!
— 𝗺 𝗮 𝗻 𝗱 𝘆 (@mandys86) October 1, 2025
What This Means for Fishel, Leavitt & the Competition
Fishel’s public statements aim to reframe the narrative from shade to sentiment. She underscores that DWTS elicits raw emotional swings — that fans can feel relief at surviving and grief for those going home. She stressed that her instinct was to comfort Jauregui, not chastise Leavitt.
If the competition is truly at play here, however, the perception is just as powerful as the steps. Fishel and Leavitt remain on the show heading into “Disney Night,” both vying for votes, judges’ approval, and fan support. Whatever the interpersonal dynamics, next week’s performances and audience voting will likely speak louder than any viral clip.
One thing is certain: in a competition like DWTS, with cameras everywhere and social media amplifying every second, even a pause, expression shift, or hand touch can become headline fodder. Fishel may be trying to move past this moment — but the spotlight is already dancing around it.
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