Five dancers entered Monday night one performance from the semifinals, but their futures rested largely in somebody else’s feet. The quarterfinal gave each contestant 48 hours to transform a ballroom novice into a credible partner. Here is who mastered that essential work, who advanced, and whose run ended one week short of the semifinals.
Who was eliminated in the quarterfinals of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
Eliminated: Nina Mayster
Who advanced to the semifinals on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
- Adele Zaikman
- AJ Pritchard
- Allen Genkin
- Selena Hamilton
What happened on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro this week? Quarterfinals recap
The quarterfinal moved the contestants away from accomplished partners and placed them beside five social-media superfans. Each superfan had some dance experience, but none had trained in ballroom. Random draws determined both the pairings and styles. The contestants then received 48 hours to teach a complete routine. The challenge recreated the central professional responsibility: finding what a novice can learn, perform, and sell.
Nina and Jay opened with a Foxtrot to “Man I Need.” Her attention to posture consumed valuable rehearsal time, while their crowded frame diminished the dance’s glide. Adele responded with a polished Tango that showcased Anthony through direct instruction and clever staging. AJ and Bailey followed with a technically assured Viennese Waltz, although Witney Carson wanted greater emotional depth.
Selena entered without experience teaching ballroom and repeatedly drilled Jeremy through their Quickstep. Jeremy’s imposing frame complicated the footwork, while ballroom rules removed the lifts he preferred. His personality delighted Witney, but the judges found too little traveling movement in “Such a Night.” Their criticism landed largely on Selena’s coaching and limited Quickstep content.
Allen and Zaira closed with a Waltz to “Consequences.” Allen’s decade-plus teaching background suited the assignment, while Zaira learned the choreography within hours. His calm approach stood apart from the evening’s more frantic rehearsals.
With all five performances complete, Mark, Shirley, and Witney withdrew to select four semifinalists. Adele and AJ carried the cleanest praise into deliberation. Nina and Selena carried the clearest doubts, while Allen’s experience strengthened his case. And, ultimately, it was Nina who went home.
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Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro FAQ
Who was sent home on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro this week?
Tristen and Stephanie were eliminated on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro in the quarterfinals.
When is the next episode of Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro?
- Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
- Time: 8 p.m. ET
- Network: ABC
- Streaming: Hulu + Disney+ the following day
Who has been sent home on Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro so far?
The following seven contestants have been eliminated from Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro after five episodes:
- Briar Nolet – Eliminated during Episode 1
- Jake Monreal – Eliminated during Episode 1
- Benjamin “Benji” Castro – Eliminated during Episode 2
- Natalie Jolley – Eliminated during Episode 3 due to injury
- Tristen Sanders – Eliminated during Episode 4
- Stephani Sosa – Eliminated during Episode 4
- Erik Linder – Eliminated during Episode 5
- Nina Mayster – Eliminated during quarterfinals
