Danielle Fishel captivated audiences during the Halloween episode of *Dancing With the Stars* with a dramatic Viennese waltz alongside her professional partner, Pasha Pashkov. Performing to the haunting melodies of Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’s “Die With a Smile,” Fishel earned an impressive score of 33 out of 40 from the judges, showcasing her commitment to the competition.
Fishel, 44, had the support of her two young sons, Adler, 6, and Keaton, 4, who attended the live show in the front row. Dressed in Halloween costumes, with Adler as Freddy Krueger and Keaton as a ninja, they brought a festive spirit to the ballroom. “They were just like, ‘All right, have fun. See you later,’” Fishel recounted, expressing delight at their enthusiasm for her performance.
Before the routine, Fishel made sure to prepare her children for the more intense moments of the dance. “I did think, ‘Oh my gosh, I have to warn them that Pasha basically tackles me in this dance,’” she said. She reassured them that it was all part of the choreography, comparing it to wrestling, which the boys enjoy. This approach helped to ease any potential fears they might have had regarding the performance’s dramatic elements.
Judges’ Feedback and Future Goals
The judging panel, including Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge Cheryl Burke, awarded Fishel and Pashkov three eights and one nine for their Halloween-themed dance. Following their performance, they also received two bonus points during the dance marathon relay segment. Pashkov, 39, expressed satisfaction with their progress, noting that while they received high scores last week, their focus remains on delivering their best each time they perform.
“We’re just going to commit. We have an amazing song, and we’re very excited about the style,” Pashkov added, indicating their determination to improve and potentially achieve higher scores in the future. Fishel echoed this sentiment, emphasizing her approach of focusing on specific areas for improvement rather than trying to tackle everything at once.
“I, every week, try to pick a couple of things that I’m going to improve on,” Fishel explained. With no prior dance experience, she recognizes the importance of gradual learning to avoid feeling overwhelmed. She remains dedicated to refining her technique with each new routine.
Looking Ahead to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night
Fishel and Pashkov are set to return for the upcoming *Dancing With the Stars* episode featuring the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night on November 4, 2023. They will perform a solo number and participate in a team dance, which Fishel believes is well-suited to the feedback they have received from the judges.
“I think the style of dance we have is actually perfect for some of the notes they gave,” she hinted, expressing optimism about the opportunity to demonstrate their growth.
*Dancing With the Stars* airs on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 20:00 ET, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day. Fans can engage further by participating in the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league, predicting which pairs will advance to the finale of season 34.
