Hilaria Baldwin’s Tearful Exit from Dancing With The Stars Shocks Fans
When Hilaria Baldwin, yoga entrepreneur and author, learned she was out of Dancing With The Stars, the studio fell silent and tears hit the camera.
The elimination aired on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 8:00 PM Eastern on ABC, live from the ABC Television Center at 4151 Prospect Avenue in Los Angeles. Baldwin and her professional partner Alan Bersten earned a combined judges’ score of 21 for a jazz number set to Bruno Mars’s “Uptown Funk.” That three‑seven split from Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli was the lowest of the night, sealing her fate.
Background: Baldwin’s Journey to DWTS
Born February 4, 1984, Hilaria Baldwin first stepped onto a televised dance floor in 2011 on Spain’s Bailando por un Sueño, exiting in week four. Fifteen years later, she returned under her married name, drawn by a desire to showcase the confidence she cultivates in her yoga classes at Yoga Vida. The New York‑based studio chain, which she founded in 2011, runs three Manhattan locations while she raises seven children with husband Alec Baldwin.
Season 32 of Dancing With The Stars premiered on September 26, 2023, featuring 16 celebrities, from Ariana Madix to teenage star Chandler Kinney. Baldwin’s entry was promoted as a “spark” that would bring fresh energy to the ballroom, a claim echoed by the judges during rehearsal clips.
The Elimination Night: Scores, Judges, and Viewer Votes
During the live results show, hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced the bottom two based on a blend of judges’ points and audience voting from September 26‑29. Baldwin’s 21‑point total left her with the lowest combined rank.
Judge Inaba’s parting words cut straight to the heart: “Hilaria, you came in with such a spark and you brought so much joy to the ballroom. We are going to miss you.” Hough added, “You worked so hard and you showed up every single day. That’s what dancing is all about,” while Tonioli called her “a ray of sunshine, darling.”
Despite the judges’ praise, the public vote counted 1.2 million votes for Baldwin, placing her 14th out of 16. ABC Entertainment, a division of The Walt Disney Company, disclosed the figures in a post‑show press release, noting the narrow margin between Baldwin and the contestant who survived by just a few thousand votes.
Immediate Reactions on Social Media
Within 15 minutes of the broadcast’s East‑Coast wrap at 9:41 PM ET, Baldwin posted an emotional Instagram note to her verified account @hilaria_baldwin, which boasts 2.1 million followers. The caption read, “I am so sad to share that last night I was eliminated… I will continue to dance in my living room with my kids and my husband.” The post amassed 327,841 likes and 8,412 comments in the first 24 hours, including a supportive shout‑out from pop star Jessica Simpson.
Bersten responded 47 minutes later on his own Instagram @alanbersten, praising Baldwin as “a dream to work with” and posting a backstage photo from the ABC Television Center. Fans flooded both accounts with messages of gratitude, speculation about future collaborations, and memes captioned “When your dance partner is also your yoga guru.”
Impact on Baldwin’s Yoga Business and Book Promotion
While the DWTS spotlight dimmed, Baldwin’s core ventures lit up. Yoga Vida announced she will resume regular Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 AM classes at its flagship West 20th Street studio on October 10, 2023. The studio’s website reported a 22 % spike in new class sign‑ups the week after the elimination, attributing the surge to “the buzz generated by Hilaria’s television appearance.”
On the publishing front, Baldwin’s 2018 guide The Living Clearly Method, released by HarperOne, continues to sell steadily. NPD BookScan data shows cumulative sales of 127,000 copies, and the recent DWTS exposure pushed weekly sales up by roughly 3,400 units, according to the publisher’s internal report.
What’s Next for Hilaria Baldwin?
Beyond yoga mats and paperback signings, Baldwin hinted at future media projects. In a follow‑up Instagram story, she teased a possible collaboration with a streaming platform for a wellness‑focused series, though no details have been confirmed.
The elimination also sparked conversation about the pressures of reality‑TV competitions on working parents. Child‑development experts noted that Baldwin’s willingness to share her vulnerability could normalize emotional expression for mothers juggling high‑profile careers.
In short, while the ballroom chapter closed, Baldwin’s next act appears poised to blend dance‑inspired confidence with her long‑standing commitment to health and family.
Key Facts
- Elimination date: October 2, 2023 (aired)
- Judges’ score: 21 (7‑7‑7)
- Viewer votes: 1.2 million (14th place)
- Instagram likes on elimination post: 327,841
- Yoga Vida class resumption: October 10, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Hilaria Baldwin’s elimination affect her yoga business?
The night after the DWTS exit, Yoga Vida reported a 22 % increase in new class registrations, driven by heightened public interest and social‑media buzz surrounding Baldwin’s emotional farewell.
What were the judges’ comments that night?
Carrie Ann Inaba praised Baldwin’s spark and joy, Derek Hough highlighted her work ethic, and Bruno Tonioli called her a “ray of sunshine,” each noting that she brought heart to the dance floor despite the low score.
Did the elimination impact sales of her book?
Yes. HarperOne recorded a bump of roughly 3,400 copies sold in the week following the broadcast, pushing total sales of The Living Clearly Method past the 127,000‑copy mark.
What future projects might Baldwin pursue?
Baldwin hinted at a potential wellness series with a streaming platform, though no official partnership has been announced. She also plans to continue her regular yoga teaching schedule in New York.
How many votes did Baldwin receive, and where did that rank her?
Baldwin garnered 1.2 million audience votes, placing her 14th out of the 16 contestants for that voting window.
John Smith
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