Honestly, if you missed TikTok Night on Dancing with the Stars, you missed a vibe. Most people think week 3 is just that awkward middle ground where celebrities finally start to sweat, but this season? It was basically a high-speed collision between ballroom tradition and Gen Z's favorite scroll-hole. We saw everything from hospital gowns to neon fringe trousers, and frankly, the song list was a masterclass in how to stay relevant in 2026.
The DWTS Week 3 Songs That Actually Worked
Some of these pairings sounded a little "how do you do, fellow kids" on paper. But then you see them hit the floor.
Jen Affleck and Jan Ravnik took a massive swing with "She’s a Bad Mama Jama (She’s Built, She’s Stacked)" by Carl Carlton. It’s a classic, sure, but it went viral for a reason. Jen literally started the dance in a hospital gown holding one of those massive Stanley-style water bottles. It was a nod to her recent labor and delivery, and while the Cha Cha technique was a bit disconnected, she landed a score of 19. Not a leaderboard topper, but definitely a moment people were clipping for their own feeds.
Then you have Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa. They did a Tango to "Anxiety" by Doechii. This was heavy. Jordan used the pre-dance package to talk about her real-life struggles with anxiety, and that intensity poured into the routine. Despite a pretty significant height difference between her and Ezra, they looked like a single, powerful unit. They walked away with a 24, which felt right for the level of technicality they brought to a song that isn't exactly a standard ballroom track.
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The Full Week 3 Setlist
If you're just here for the quick list of what happened, here is the breakdown of the night:
- Hilaria Baldwin & Gleb Savchenko: Samba to "Shake It To The Max (FLY) [Remix]" by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea. This was... a lot. The judges loved her Samba rolls, giving her a 22.
- Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy: Quickstep to "Pop Muzik" by M. Alix is proving she’s not just a social media name; her footwork was crisp. Score: 23.
- Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach: Foxtrot to "YUKON" by Justin Bieber. Dylan was trying to channel "leading man" energy. It was technically solid, earning them a 23, but some viewers found it a bit "meh" compared to Daniella's usual explosive choreography.
- Danielle Fishel & Pasha Pashkov: Foxtrot to "Manchild" by Sabrina Carpenter. Sabrina even sent a video message! Danielle finally kept her shoulders down and scored a 21.
- Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten: Tango to "Gnarly" by KATSEYE. Elaine leaned into her Parent Trap Meredith Blake persona, and it worked. 21 points.
- Scott Hoying & Rylee Arnold: Jazz to "like JENNIE" by JENNIE. This earned the first 8 of the season from Carrie Ann. Total: 22.
- Robert Irwin & Witney Carson: Salsa to "MILLION DOLLAR BABY" by Tommy Richman. High energy, high impact.
- Lauren Jauregui & Brandon Armstrong: Cha Cha to "Work From Home" by Fifth Harmony. Total meta move dancing to her own song.
- Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas: Samba to "Shake Ya Ass" by Mystikal. Mark Ballas is back and making people dance in neon green fringe. They tied for the top of the two-week leaderboard.
- Andy Richter & Emma Slater: Foxtrot to "Northern Attitude" by Noah Kahan & Hozier.
Why TikTok Night is polarizing for purists
Look, the "DWTS week 3 songs" usually follow a very specific trajectory. Usually, we're getting into "Most Memorable Year" or something deeply sentimental by now. Throwing a bunch of viral hits into the mix changes the rhythm of the show. It forces pros like Val and Daniella to choreograph for a vertical-video audience while still trying to satisfy Bruno’s obsession with a flat foot.
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Take the Whitney Leavitt Samba. "Shake Ya Ass" is not a song you'd typically find in a 1950s ballroom competition. But Ballas is a genius because he knows how to bridge that gap. He took the viral "moves" people know from their phones and baked them into actual, recognizable Samba steps. It's why they ended up with a massive 37/50 for their two-week total.
What this means for the rest of the season
If you’re watching the scores, you’ll notice the gap is closing. We’re seeing more 8s pop up. The judges are done being "nice." If your frame is sloppy, they’re calling it out, even if the song is a bop.
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The strategy is shifting too. Celebrities like Scott Hoying are realizing that picking a song with a built-in fanbase (like JENNIE's solo hits) helps with the fan vote, but the judges won't give you a pass on the Jazz technique just because the audience is screaming.
How to use this info if you're a fan
If you're following along or trying to predict the winner, keep an eye on how these stars handle the "Theme Nights" coming up. We already know Dedication Night and Disney Week are on the horizon.
- Watch the height gaps: Jordan Chiles and Ezra are managing it well, but it becomes a bigger issue in dances like the Viennese Waltz.
- Check the YouTube views: Often, the couple with the highest views on their week 3 TikTok routine stays safe even if their scores are mid-pack.
- Note the "Pro" factor: Mark Ballas and Witney Carson are clearly pushing their partners harder than some of the other pros right now.
To get the most out of the upcoming episodes, go back and watch the side-by-side of the original TikTok dances versus the ballroom versions. It’s the best way to see who actually learned the technique and who just "faked" it with charisma. You’ll probably find that the couples who stayed true to the ballroom roots while nodding to the viral trends—like Alix and Val—are the ones who will actually make it to the finale.