Shocking Elimination Rocks DWTS: The Next Pro Ep 6
"Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro" Episode 6 Recap – Teaching Amateurs is Harder Than It Looks!
TL;DR: The five remaining contestants had to teach total beginners a ballroom dance in just two days. Guest judge Witney Carson watched closely. Nina Mayster was sent home after her foxtrot lacked "floor craft." Four dancers remain for the semifinals.
What Is "DWTS: The Next Pro"?
Think of it like The Voice but for ballroom dancers. Professional dancers compete to win a spot as a pro on the main "Dancing With the Stars" show. Each week, they face challenges that test skills real pros need—like teaching celebrities who’ve never danced before.
This Week’s Challenge: "Teach a Newbie in 48 Hours"
| Contestant | Student (Influencer) | Dance Style |
|---|---|---|
| Adele Zaikman | Anthony Riccardo | Tango |
| AJ Pritchard | Bailey McKnight | Viennese Waltz |
| Allen Genkin | Zaira Yzabelle | Waltz |
| Nina Mayster | Jay Wyson | Foxtrot |
| Selena Hamilton | Jeremy Urann | Quickstep |
Important Callout:
Teaching is a "non-negotiable" pro skill. As guest judge Witney Carson (two-time Mirrorball winner!) said: "Helping a partner with limited dance knowledge learn a routine in a short amount of time is one of the most important skills a pro needs to possess."
Coaching Styles: Who Did What?
1. Adele – Strict & Ambitious
- Set a "high bar" for Anthony.
- Anthony admitted her instructions were strict, and he felt low confidence (4/10) before the show.
2. Selena – Adapting on the Fly
- Never taught a Quickstep before!
- Jeremy worried the routine didn’t show his strengths.
- Fix: Selena added twists/turns to highlight his personality.
3. Allen – Gentle & Simple
- Kept choreography simple for Zaira (used to faster styles).
- Focused on trust and comfort over flashiness.
4. AJ – Fast & Experienced
- Bailey said: "AJ’s teaching style is fast."
- AJ leaned on nearly 20 years of teaching experience.
5. Nina – Frame First, Steps Later
- Unique approach: Spent Day 1 only on "frame" (how partners hold each other).
- Didn’t touch choreography until Day 2.
Performance Night: Judges’ Feedback
| Pair | Dance | Key Feedback |
|---|---|---|
| Nina & Jay | Foxtrot | "Fundamental issues" with hold & footwork. Frame was incorrect. Witney: Nina mismanaged rehearsal time. |
| Adele & Anthony | Tango | "Ambitious" routine. Shirley: Needed more "fun" in teaching. Witney: Shocked by Anthony’s turnaround! |
| AJ & Bailey | Viennese Waltz | Shirley: "Absolutely killed it." Mark: Bailey looked comfortable. Witney: Wished for an emotional moment. |
| Allen & Zaira | Waltz | Shirley: Partnership "filled with beauty." Witney: Noticed deep trust. Mark: "Fantastic job." |
| Selena & Jeremy | Quickstep | Witney: Liked choreo but lacked Quickstep content. Mark: Quickstep must travel the floor. Shirley: Missing "character" of the dance. |
Bottom Two & Elimination
Bottom Two: Nina & Selena
Why? Both lacked "floor craft" (using the whole dance floor) and ballroom knowledge, per Mark and Shirley.
Eliminated: Nina Mayster
"It sucks. It hurts. But… I haven’t cried like this in a while. I’m leaving better than I arrived and I know my worth now." — Nina
What’s Next? (Episode 7 – Aug 24)
SEMIFINALS!
- Top 4: Adele, AJ, Allen, Selena.
- Twist: Two dances each!
- One with a current DWTS pro.
- One with a fellow contestant.
- Drama alert: Teaser shows some contestants butting heads with the pros.
Summary
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| Teaching amateurs in 2 days is the ultimate pro test. |
| Witney Carson guest-judged (and is pregnant with baby #3!). |
| AJ & Allen got the strongest praise. |
| Nina eliminated for weak frame/floor craft. |
| Selena survived but must fix "travel" in Quickstep. |
| Semifinals next week: Double dances + pro partners! |
FAQ
1. Who is Witney Carson?
A two-time DWTS champion (most recently with Robert Irwin). She’s also a pro on the main show and announced she’s expecting her third child!
2. What is "floor craft"?
It’s the ability to move around the ballroom floor smoothly, covering space so your partner looks good. Standing in one spot = bad floor craft.
3. Why was Nina eliminated if she worked on frame first?
The judges felt the frame still wasn’t right on performance night, and the routine didn’t travel (floor craft). Witney noted she ran out of time for actual steps.
4. Are the "students" total beginners?
They’re social media influencers with some dance background, but zero ballroom training. Think: hip-hop or jazz dancers trying ballroom for the first time.
5. When is the finale?
The article says the finale is "quickly approaching." With 4 left and semifinals next week (Ep 7), the finale is likely Episode 8 or 9 (late August/early September).
Final Thought: Being a great dancer ≠ being a great teacher. This week proved that the "Next Pro" needs patience, strategy, and people skills—not just perfect technique. Who’s your pick to win?