On Oct. 7, “Dancing With the Stars” transformed into a magical night as the remaining 11 couples took on Disney Night. Couples continued to showcase their progress in week 4, including “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas, who earned the night’s highest score of 25 out of 30.
However, fans were surprised when Andy Richter and Emma Slater were safe after last night’s performance, especially after receiving the lowest score of the night, just 18 out of 30. Still, Slater defended her partner, saying he “deserves his place” on the show.
Andy Richter Survives Another Week on DWTS Despite Low Disney Night Score
Emma Slater is proudly standing by her “Dancing With the Stars” season 34 partner, Andy Richter, after fans were stunned that the couple advanced to the next week despite low scores during Disney Night.
Speaking to Us Weekly after the Oct. 7 episode, Slater defended her partner and his place on the show.
“Obviously, you get people that comment, ‘You know, this is a dance competition,’ but it is actually so much more than that. It is an entertainment show, and it is for people that have not done this before, and so it’s beautiful to watch them get a moment in the spotlight and to grow and to see improvement. He, every bit, deserves his place here,” she shared.
Despite receiving just 18 out of 30 votes from the three judges during Disney Night, Slater and Richter were saved by the votes of fans. The couple performed a Viennese waltz to “Le Festin” from “Ratatouille.” Richter, who will be turning 59 in October, is the oldest person on season 34, but his playful charm and dedication to the show have inspired fans.
Richter Admits DWTS ‘Changed My Life’
Richter and Slater were in the bottom three during Disney Night, along with Hilaria Baldwin and Gleb Savchenko, and Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov. When Baldwin and Savchenko were sent home, Richter and Slater were extremely shocked, as they might have assumed their time was up based on their low scores.
Speaking to Us Weekly, Richter shared that he was “relieved” that he got another chance to showcase his dance moves when Dedication Night airs on Oct. 14. “It always stinks that somebody has to go home, but I’m glad to be staying. I was expecting to hear our names, so I’m relieved.”
Richter said that competing on DWTS was “good” for him. It was a chance to stay active and embrace something totally new.
“I didn’t even realize how sort of inert I had become. I don’t know if I’m going to be a big ballroom dancer after this, but I certainly am going to keep challenging myself to try new things,” he shared, adding that being on the show had “changed my [life].”
