Danielle Fishel showcased her dance skills on Halloween Night during the live episode of *Dancing With the Stars*, captivating audiences while her two young sons cheered her on from the front row. The 44-year-old actress performed a Viennese waltz with her professional partner, Pasha Pashkov, earning a commendable score of 33 out of 40 from the judges.
Fishel’s sons, Adler, aged 6, and Keaton, aged 4, dressed in Halloween costumes to attend the event. Adler chose to dress as Freddy Krueger, while Keaton opted for a ninja outfit. Fishel recounted their initial experience at the show, saying, “They were here for premiere night and they had the time of their lives.” Yet, she noted, “They didn’t ask to come back until Halloween.”
Before stepping onto the dance floor, Fishel took a moment to prepare her children for the performance’s more intense moments. The routine, inspired by a murder mystery theme, included dramatic elements, notably a moment where Pashkov appears to tackle her. Fishel explained, “I had to warn them, ‘By the way, it’s going to look like Pasha tackles me, but it’s all fake.’” She assured her sons that the choreography was safe and pre-planned, comparing it to wrestling, a sport they enjoy.
The judges for the evening included Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge Cheryl Burke. They awarded Fishel and Pashkov three scores of eight and one nine for their performance. Following the dance marathon relay, the pair added two bonus points to their total.
Reflecting on their scoring, Pashkov shared, “Last week, we got nines and we weren’t really going for nines. We just were trying to do our best with that specific song and that style.” He expressed enthusiasm for their upcoming performances, stating, “We have an amazing song, and we’re very excited about the style.”
Fishel also emphasized her commitment to improving her technique with each routine. She stated, “I try to pick a couple of things that I’m going to improve on,” acknowledging the challenges of participating in a competition without prior dance experience. “If you were to take all of the things that you have to learn… you would just be completely overwhelmed.”
Looking ahead, Fishel and Pashkov will return to the dance floor for *Dancing With the Stars*’ Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night scheduled for November 4, 2023. “I think the style of dance we have is actually perfect for some of the notes they gave,” Fishel noted, eager to implement the judges’ feedback.
The show airs on ABC and Disney+ every Tuesday at 20:00 ET, with episodes available for streaming on Hulu the following day. Fans can also engage with the series through Bracketology, a fantasy league where viewers can predict which couples will advance to the finale of season 34.
