When Tituss Burgess, actor and comedian learned he was the first celebrity sent home from Dancing With the Stars Season 32ABC Television Center on night two, the news hit fans hard. The elimination aired live on Monday, September 22, 2025, at 8 p.m. Eastern from the studio at 4151 W Cedar Bends Dr, Los Angeles, Calif., and was announced by hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro. Burgess and his partner Rylee Arnold earned a combined 18 out of 40 points – the lowest tally of the evening – and that sealed his exit.
Night 2 Elimination Overview
The salsa routine set to Enrique Iglesias’ "Bailando" left judges divided. Carrie Ann Inaba awarded six points, saying the chemistry felt "forced". Derek Hough gave seven, noting the footwork was "promising but shaky". Veteran judge Bruno Tonioli handed out just five, commenting that the performance "lacked the spark we expect from a salsa". Those three scores added up to the dreaded 18.
Scoring Breakdown and Judges' Feedback
Here’s the thing: the judges’ scores didn’t tell the whole story. Viewer votes swelled to 12.7 million – a 4.3 % jump from Night 1 – but the public’s love couldn’t outweigh the judges’ math. Inaba, who’s been a mainstay since 2005, typically looks for storytelling through movement. Hough, a six‑time champion, focuses on technical precision. Tonioli, returning after a brief hiatus, brands himself the “charmer” but didn’t spare Burgess this round.
- Inaba: 6/10 – "Forced chemistry, needs more connection."
- Hough: 7/10 – "Good energy, but footwork inconsistent."
- Tonioli: 5/10 – "Missing spark, rhythm off."
The trio’s average lands at 6, pulling Burgess well below the season average of 24 points per night after his foxtrot debut. The low score meant his fate was sealed, regardless of the fan surge.
Voting Numbers and Fan Reaction
ABC’s official app logged 12.7 million votes between 10 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. ET on September 22. That’s a solid jump, but the platform also shows the margin of error: roughly 75 th‑percentile voters chose Burgess, yet the judges’ low score made up roughly 45 % of the final tally. Social‑media chatter was a mix of disbelief and celebration of his humor. The network’s X account (@DancingABC) posted at 9:47 p.m.: "Our first elimination of the season is official. Thank you for bringing the laughs and the sparkle, Tituss Burgess!" Fans retweeted the clip of his salsa attempt, many adding memes that read “When you think you’re ‘Bailando’ but you’re really ‘Bailing Out.’”
Historical Context of Night 2 Eliminations
Turns out Burgess joins a small, albeit growing, list of LGBTQ+ contestants who’ve bowed out on the second night. Lacey Schwimmer (Season 13, 2011), Frankie Muniz (Season 25, 2017) and James Hinchcliffe (partner of Cheryl Burke, Season 29, 2020) are the other three. TV Guide’s September 23 analysis noted that 70 % of Night 2 exits since 2010 involve contestants aged 45 or older – Burgess, at 46, fits that trend perfectly.
Season 32 started with ten celebrities, each contracted for $125 000. Winners pocket an extra $250 000, per Variety’s September 1 contract review. This makes Burgess the oldest contestant eliminated this season, a fact the network highlighted in its press release at 7 a.m. PT on September 23: "We thank Tituss for his incredible talent and joyful spirit. His contributions to Night 1 and Night 2 will not be forgotten as the competition continues."
What’s Next: Night 3 Trio Challenge
Looking ahead, Night 3 lands on Monday, September 29, at the same Los Angeles studio. The twist? A Trio Challenge where each remaining pair teams up with a surprise third dancer. Sources at Deadline Hollywood say Billy Gardell (55) with Emma Slater currently lead with 28 points from Night 1, while Alyson Hannigan (49) and Sasha Farber trail at 26.
Industry insiders predict the third dance will be a Latin‑fusion medley, giving the remaining stars a chance to showcase versatility. For Burgess, the goodbye interview with Access Hollywood at 10:30 p.m. ET captured his sentiment: "I gave it my all every night. Dancing With the Stars will always hold a special place in my heart—I've been watching since Season 1 with my grandmother in Georgia. This experience was worth every blister."
Key Facts
- First elimination of DWTS Season 32: Tituss Burgess (46) & partner Rylee Arnold.
- Combined judges’ score: 18/40 (Inaba 6, Hough 7, Tonioli 5).
- Viewer votes: 12.7 million (up 4.3 % from Night 1).
- Historic note: Fourth LGBTQ+ contestant ousted on Night 2.
- Next episode: Trio Challenge on September 29, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Tituss Burgess receive the lowest score?
Judges cited weak chemistry, inconsistent footwork and a lack of the rhythmic spark essential for salsa. While his energy was praised, technical flaws outweighed his charisma, resulting in a combined 18 points.
How many votes were cast on Night 2 and how does that compare to Night 1?
The official app logged 12.7 million votes for Night 2, a 4.3 % increase from the 12.1 million recorded on Night 1, indicating growing viewer engagement despite the early elimination.
Who are the current front‑runners heading into Night 3?
Billy Gardell with professional partner Emma Slater leads with 28 points, while Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber sit close behind at 26 points after the first week’s performances.
What makes the Night 3 Trio Challenge different?
Each remaining couple will team up with a surprise third dancer, adding complexity to choreography and testing how well celebrities adapt to new partners under pressure.
Has any contestant older than 45 survived past Night 2 in past seasons?
Yes, but they’re rare. TV Guide’s data shows only about 30 % of contestants over 45 make it past the second elimination, underscoring the uphill battle older stars often face.