No judge has handed out a 9 yet on 'Dancing With the Stars' season 35. Will any couple earn one on Mariah Carey Night Oct 6?
89% of users predicted YES — the community got this one right. 9 predictions cast.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba awarded a 9 to Maura Higgins and pro partner Mark Ballas for their waltz to "If It's Over" during "Dancing With the Stars" Season 35's Mariah Carey Night on Oct. 6, the first 9 handed out all season. The other two judges, Bruno Tonioli and Derek Hough, each scored the routine an 8, giving the couple a total of 25 out of 30, the best mark of the season to that point.
Several other pairs also scored well: Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, and Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy each received 24 out of 30, among the season's strongest results. The milestone broke a four-week streak without a single 9 on any judge's card, a pattern outlets covering the season had noted as unusually tough scoring.
The community strongly anticipated this outcome, with 89% predicting a 9 would be awarded, and the result matched that expectation. The themed episode, built entirely around Mariah Carey's catalog, produced several of the season's top scores overall, suggesting both stronger performances from the remaining couples and a possible loosening of the judges' standards for the tribute week after a scoring-stingy start to the season.