Imagine earning two perfect scores during the semifinals of Dancing with the Stars season 32 only to be eliminated at the end of the evening. That’s what plenty of viewers thought might happen to Xochitl Gomez and her dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy Tuesday night (November 28) when the duo scored three perfect 10s on their two dances but had to hold their breath until the final moment to see if they would advance to the season finale next week.
After an incredible samba to the Gloria Estefan song “Samba” and flawless waltz to Lady Gaga’s “La Vie en Rose,” fans of Gomez and Chmerkovskiy were shocked when they ended up being one of the last two couples on the stage during the announcement of the finalists.
Although only four dance partners have made it to the finals in at least the last five seasons, that wasn’t the case this year. This time, DWTS producers threw a twist in the storyline by allowing all five semifinalists to advance, shocking fans and angering them at the same time.
The reveal, however, didn’t happen until Gomez and Chmerkovskiy stood alongside fellow contestants Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov in what everyone believed was the moment that the final spot would be announced. Instead, co-host Alfonso Ribeiro surprised everyone when he said, “The couple dancing in the finale will be … both of you!”
The worried look on Gomez’s face quickly turned to happy tears as both partners realized their seasons weren’t over. This is the first time in DWTS history that there will be five couples dancing for a chance to win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
Xochitl Gomez and her dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy will be on the season finale of Dancing with the Stars season 32 when it airs on December 5, 2023.