Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro – Episode 6 Recap: The Ultimate Teaching Test

Welcome to the ballroom! If you’re new to "Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro," think of it as a talent search where professional dancers compete to win a spot as a pro on the main DWTS show. We’re down to the final five contestants, and Episode 6 (aired August 17) gave them their toughest homework assignment yet.

The Big Challenge: "Teach a Regular Person to Dance in 48 Hours"

IMPORTANT POINT
On the real Dancing With the Stars, pros are paired with celebrities who often have zero ballroom experience. They have only days to teach them a full routine. This challenge tested the exact skill they’ll need for the real job.

Guest Judge: Witney Carson — a two-time Mirrorball champion who just won with host Robert Irwin. Fun fact: She’s currently expecting her third baby and will still compete on the upcoming fall season!

The Rules:

1. Each contestant got paired with a social media influencer (who had dance experience but no ballroom training).
2. They had two days to teach a complete ballroom routine.
3. Witney, plus head judges Mark Ballas and Shirley Ballas, would score the results.

Meet the 5 Teams & Their Dances

How the Rehearsals Went Down (Coaching Styles 101)

Each pro has a different "teacher personality." Here’s the breakdown:

1. Adele: The "Strict but Fair" Professor

• Style: Sets a high bar, gives precise corrections.
• Partner’s Take: Anthony felt the pressure but appreciated the clarity.
• Witney’s Check-in: Noted Adele’s intense focus.

2. Selena: The "Adapt & Shine" Choreographer

• Background: Commercial dancer (think music videos, tours), never taught Quickstep before.
• Pivot: Jeremy worried the routine didn’t show him off. Selena added twists and turns to match his personality.
• Lesson: Great teachers adjust the material to the student.

3. Allen: The "Gentle Guide"

• Style: Calm, keeps steps simple to build confidence.
• Partner’s Take: Zaira usually does fast styles; Allen slowed it down so she could nail the technique.
• Key Quote: "Trust is everything."

4. AJ: The "Veteran Speed-Teacher"

• Receipts: Nearly 20 years of teaching experience.
• Style: Fast-paced, knows exactly what each student needs.
• Partner’s Take: Bailey said, "AJ’s teaching style is fast" — but in a good way.

5. Nina: The "Foundation First" Strategist

• Unique Move: Spent Day 1 only on "frame" (how partners hold each other), zero choreography.
• Logic: If the frame breaks, the dance falls apart.
• Risk: Less time to polish the actual routine.

Performance Night: The Judges’ Verdicts

1. Nina & Jay (Foxtrot) — First Up

• Shirley: "Fundamental issues with hold and footwork."
• Mark: Frame was incorrect.
• Witney: Liked the fun hip-hop flavor, but said Nina mismanaged rehearsal time (too much frame, not enough dance).

2. Adele & Anthony (Tango) — Most Improved

• Mark: "Ambitious routine."
• Shirley: Fierce and fair, but needed more "fun" in teaching.
• Witney: Shocked by Anthony’s confidence on stage (he rated himself a 4/10 the night before!).

3. AJ & Bailey (Viennese Waltz) — Standout of the Night

• Witney: Loved it, wished for one emotional "moment."
• Mark: Bailey looked comfortable.
• Shirley: "They absolutely killed it."

4. Allen & Zaira (Waltz) — Most Trust

• Shirley: Partnership "filled with beauty" despite minor footwork errors.
• Witney: Noticed the deep trust between them.
• Mark: "Fantastic job."

5. Selena & Jeremy (Quickstep) — Character Check

• Witney: Great energy, choreography clever, but not enough actual Quickstep steps.
• Mark: Quickstep must travel around the floor (they stayed in one spot).
• Shirley: The "character" of the dance was missing.

The Bottom Two & Elimination

In Jeopardy: Nina and Selena

Why them?

• Mark: Both lacked "floor craft" — dances didn’t cover enough space to make partners shine.
• Shirley: Both showed gaps in ballroom knowledge (technique rules specific to each style).

Eliminated: Nina Mayster

Her Exit Words:

"It sucks. It hurts. But… I haven’t cried like this in a while. I’m leaving better than I arrived. I know my worth now. Thank you to the judges for their time and knowledge."

Class act.

What’s Coming Next: Episode 7 (Semifinals!) — August 24

The Top 4 (Adele, AJ, Allen, Selena) face a double-dance night:

1. Dance 1: With a current DWTS pro (mentor/test).
2. Dance 2: With a fellow contestant (peer pressure!).

Teaser Alert: Some contestants butt heads with the pros; others thrive. Drama + dancing = must-watch TV.

Quick Summary: Episode 6 at a Glance

FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered

1. What is "floor craft" and why does it matter?

Floor craft is the ability to move around the ballroom smoothly, avoid other couples, and use the space to show off the dance. In traveling dances (Quickstep, Foxtrot, Waltz, Viennese Waltz), standing still = missing the point. Judges want to see you own the floor.

2. Why was Nina eliminated if she focused on frame (which is important)?

Frame is critical — but it’s the skeleton, not the whole body. Nina spent so much time on the skeleton she didn’t finish the muscles and skin (choreography, musicality, floor craft). The judges saw incomplete package.

3. Does Selena survive just because she’s a commercial dancer?

Nope! She was in the bottom two. Her Quickstep lacked technical content (correct steps, travel). Next week, she must prove she can do authentic ballroom, not just "dance-y moves."

4. Who’s the frontrunner now?

AJ Pritchard — consistent, experienced teacher, top scores this week. But Allen (trust builder) and Adele (high standards) are close. Selena has the most ground to make up.

5. When is the finale?

The show hasn’t announced an exact finale date, but with 4 left and Semifinals on Aug 24, the finale is likely early September. Stay tuned!

Final Thought

Teaching is its own superpower. This episode proved that being an amazing dancer ≠ being an amazing teacher. The winner of The Next Pro needs both. Who has the magic combo? We’ll find out in the Semifinals!

Don’t miss Episode 7 — August 24!