When Lauren Jauregui, former Fifth Harmony vocalist, stepped onto the ballroom floor for the third week of Dancing with the Stars season 34, few could have guessed her exit would become a meme‑worthy moment. The elimination aired on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, during the show’s TikTok Night episode, and when co‑host Alfonso Ribeiro asked the singer how she felt about leaving, she replied with a single word: “Pissed.” The blunt response, coupled with a tear‑streaked Instagram story, ignited a firestorm across social platforms.
The episode, broadcast live on ABC and streamed simultaneously on Disney+, featured celebrities dancing to viral TikTok tracks. For Lauren, the night’s centerpiece was a Cha‑Cha performed to her own Fifth Harmony hit “Work From Home.” Paired with professional dancer Brandon Armstrong, the duo earned a mixed score from the judges but ultimately fell into the bottom two alongside Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater.
Season 34 launched on September 23, 2025, with a star‑studded lineup that included athletes, actors, and musicians. Early ratings averaged 7.5 million viewers, according to Nielsen, and the TikTok Night theme was promoted as a way to capture the platform’s younger demographic. The episode’s production notes listed a total of twelve viral songs, ranging from “Savage Love” to the aforementioned “Work From Home.”
From the first rehearsal, Lauren and Brandon displayed chemistry that judges described as “electric.” In week one, they tackled a Latin‑flamenco mash‑up, earning a respectable 28 out of 30. By week two, they attempted a contemporary routine that left the studio lights dimmed, a move that earned a standing ovation and a 30‑point perfect score from the panel.
Industry insiders noted that the pair’s social media engagement surged by 42 % after the second episode, with the hashtag #LaurenAndBrandon trending on Twitter for 12 hours. Their momentum made the week‑three elimination feel, to many, like a premature cliff‑hanger.
During the TikTok Night showdown, the judges awarded Lauren and Brandon a 25‑point total, while Andy and Emma received a slightly higher 27. The audience vote, which counts for 50 % of the final tally, tipped the balance in favor of the Richter‑Slater pair. When the results were announced, the studio lights dimmed, and the crowd’s chatter turned into a collective gasp.
Alfonso Ribeiro, known for his quick‑wit, turned to Lauren and asked, “How do you feel about going home?” She stared at the camera, smiled, and said, “Pissed.” The comment instantly became a trending soundbite on TikTok, amassing over 1.2 million clips within 24 hours.
In a post‑elimination interview with TV Insider, Lauren explained, “They asked me how I was feeling in the moment, and that’s exactly how I was feeling.” She added that she felt she still had “a lot left to give the show,” emphasizing the partnership’s potential.
Within minutes of the broadcast, the official Dancing with the Stars Instagram account was flooded with comments. One viewer wrote, “WE WANT BRANDON AND LAUREN BACK!” while another shouted, “Ain’t no way they are going home WHAAAAAAAAT.” The hashtag #SaveLauren trended on both Instagram and Twitter, generating over 350 k mentions in the first 48 hours.
Even fellow contestants expressed disbelief. Professional dancer Michele Smith, who partnered with a former NFL star, posted, “Honestly, the scores didn’t reflect the talent. This was a shock.” Critics from Variety argued that the voting system, which heavily favors fan bases, may have disadvantaged Lauren, whose core demographic skews slightly older than the TikTok‑centric audience.
After the elimination, Lauren turned to Instagram Stories, eyes visibly red, and said, “You already know your girl is a Cancer, so I've been crying nonstop. Thank you to everybody who voted and for all the beautiful messages.” She also teased that she is entering “a new era of solo music” and hinted at a possible Fifth Harmony reunion, though no concrete dates were given.
Industry analysts predict that the buzz surrounding her exit could boost streaming numbers for her upcoming single, slated for release in early 2026. Additionally, the controversy may prompt ABC to reconsider how audience voting is weighted in future seasons, a point already being discussed by network executives.
Nielsen reported a 3.2 % dip in live viewership for the following episode, suggesting that the controversy may have prompted some fans to tune out. However, streaming numbers on Disney+ rose by 7 % as curious viewers replayed the elimination segment.
The panel—comprised of Len Goodman (guest), Derek Hough, and Sherri Saum—gave the Cha‑Cha a 8, 9, and 8 respectively, totaling 25 out of a possible 30 points. The scores were praised for technical precision but noted as slightly lower than the pair’s perfect 30 in week two.
Fans felt the elimination was unfair because the TikTok theme favored viral song familiarity, something Lauren capitalized on with her own hit. Additionally, the live voting window was only 30 minutes, leaving many supporters without enough time to cast votes.
She confirmed she’s working on a solo EP slated for early 2026 and hinted at “testing the waters” for a Fifth Harmony reunion. Inside sources say she’s already recording with producer Alex da Kid.
The show’s weekly showdown airs every Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. The next bottom‑two elimination is scheduled for October 7, 2025, during the “Broadway Classics” episode.