NEED TO KNOW
It was a night to remember on Dancing with the Stars — both on the dance floor and backstage.
As contestants performed their dances to one-hit wonders on the Sept. 23 episode of the ABC dance competition, PEOPLE was inside the ballroom to witness all of the moments the camera didn’t catch.
Before cameras started rolling, judge Derek Hough was spotted teaching a young girl how to ballroom dance backstage.
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Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Jen Affleck made it a family affair with daughter Nora, 3, who sweetly declared she was eating an apple as she said hi to people backstage. Her husband Zac Affleck was also spotted in the audience following her Quickstep to “Take On Me” by a-ha with DWTS’ newest pro, Jan Ravnik.
Meanwhile, Alix Earle had her own cheering section at the show. Influencer Jake Shane was seated in the audience alongside the TikTok star’s mother, Alisa. Elaine Hendrix’s Parent Trap costar Lisa Ann Walter also returned to the ballroom to see her friend perform a Jive to “Hey Mickey” by Toni Basil.
Comedian Andy Richter and pro Emma Slater received a major round of applause when it was announced they were safe from elimination.
Another star who wasn’t in the ballroom also received cheering from the audience. When co-host Julianne Hough announced an all-new Jimmy Kimmel Live! would be airing that night, the crowd went wild for the comedian. The Sept. 23 episode of the late-night show marked Kimmel’s return to television nearly a week after the show was suspended by ABC and the first one after the ban was lifted.
After being in the bottom three following the second week of competition, Gleb Savchenko comforted his partner Hilaria Baldwin by rubbing and squeezing her back while they were backstage.
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Meanwhile, Rylee Arnold, who is partnered with Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying this season, held hands with her boyfriend Walker Lyons backstage. He even gave her a helping hand with her costume as she got ready for interviews after the show.
Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes insight on Sept. 30.
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Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
