Stephen Nedoroscik didn’t just dance; he summoned a nightmare straight from the shadows. In week seven of Dancing with the Stars, he and partner Rylee Arnold dove headfirst into Halloween, fully embracing the season’s chills and thrills. The pair, who had previously been holding down a third place, faced a setback last week during “Disney Night,” slipping to sixth with a score of 24 out of 30 with their performance. With the writing on the wall, they were hanging by a thread in the bottom three but managed to dodge the bullet and keep their place alongside six other couples.

This week, they pulled out all the stops, earning their first perfect 10 of the season. Nedoroscik took on the role of “a nightmare character that lurks in the dark.” The pair left no stone unturned with their contemporary dance performance to “I Ran (So Far Away)” by Hidden Citizen, and the judges’ responses proved they’d struck gold.

Carrie Ann Inaba awarded them their first 10 of the season, while Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli chipped in 9s. Tonioli couldn’t help but rave, “Your athletic skills and your ability are undoubted, but tonight you found your dramatic persona. You became somebody else, and you gave us something that was special and beautiful.” But she wasn’t the only one to praise the couple!

Inaba called it “the best dance of the night” so far, and Hough was over the moon about seeing Nedoroscik’s darker side. “For such a happy-go-lucky, joyful man that you are, I really love seeing you in these dramatic roles,” Hough said. “It really is incredible.” With this performance, Nedoroscik proved he wasn’t just another fish in the sea; he’d brought something fresh to the table and left a lasting impression. Fans were thrilled to watch Nedoroscik come out of his shell and shine like never before and even praised them.

Fans go wild as Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee leave no stone unturned

One fan added, “He knows he ate that up because he had the same reaction when he finished this as he did when he finished his pommel horse routine at the olympic.” Well, he certainly recognized it himself.

After the dance, Nedoroscik expressed his pride in this breakthrough, noting the heightened level of focus he discovered. “I thought I was locked in before, but this week, I knew something changed,” he said. “I locked in so much harder, and I’m incredibly proud of the performance.” He also praised Arnold’s boundless energy, saying, “Rylee is an amazing person. We’re both very positive people, and I think our positivity bounced off one another to create something beautiful on the dance floor.”

Another fan excitedly exclaimed, “Stephen and Rylee are MOVING ON! See you in two weeks!” It’s clear this fan has a lot of faith in them! The remaining seven couples pulled out all the stops with tricks and treats that really brought the spooky vibe to life in week 7. The couple scored:

Ilona Maher & Alan Bersten’s Tango to “Psycho Killer” earned 24/30, while Dwight Howard & Daniella Karagach’s Contemporary to “Ring Around The Rosie” scored 28/30, inspired by his fear of the boogeyman. Danny Amendola & Witney Carson’s and Jenn Tran & Sasha Farber both scored 28/30. Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson scored 29/30, as did Chandler Kinney & Brandon Armstrong. Finally, Stephen Nedoroscik & Rylee Arnold earned 28/30.

The couples who are left now are Danny & Witney, Joey & Jenna, Ilona & Alan, Chandler & Brandon, Dwight & Daniella, and Stephen & Rylee. Each pair is still in the running for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, showcasing their talent and determination as they gear up for the next round. It’s shaping up to be an exciting finish!

Another fan added, “This was amazing!! And also Rylee’s first 10 EVER ❤️🌟 #DWTS.” Another fan added, “Damn!! That was BRILLANT!!!” In Week 6 of “Dancing with the Stars,” Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold faced a nail-biting situation as they found themselves in the elimination round after their performance on “Disney Night.” They took the stage with a lively Charleston to “A Star Is Born” from Hercules, channeling the character’s strength and playfulness.

However, despite their vibrant energy, they struggled with timing, earning a score that put them in the bottom three. The tension was palpable as they stood on stage, but this struggle only fueled their determination. Stephen expressed his disappointment in not performing up to the level he had been training for, vowing to grind harder for the next performance. Thankfully, they managed to escape elimination when another couple was sent home. One more fan added, “He deserves it!.” It’s clear he’s got a fire in his belly, and all eyes are on him as he heads into the next round.