“Dancing with the Stars ”Dedication Night Reveal: Here’s Who the Contestants Are Honoring (Exclusive)

**Dancing with the Stars Ready for Heartfelt Dedication Night in Week 6**

As the competition intensifies in the latest season of ABC’s ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ contestants are gearing up for one of the most poignant nights of the series. Week 6 will showcase Dedication Night on 20 October, when ten remaining couples will pay tribute to significant figures in their lives through emotive performances.

The theme for the evening is a heartfelt one, encouraging each celebrity dancer to dedicate their routine to someone who has played a vital role in their journey. The night promises to be filled with emotion, as families and friends will be present to witness these personal tributes unfold on the dance floor.

Among the notable performances is actress Julia Stiles, who plans to honour her late co-star Heath Ledger, known for his role in the iconic film “10 Things I Hate About You.” Stiles will partner with professional dancer Ezra Sosa for a contemporary routine set to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” a poignant choice that resonates with her memories of Ledger, who sadly passed away in 2008 at the young age of 28 from an accidental overdose.

Harry Shum Jr. is also set to stir emotions with a foxtrot dedicated to his wife, Shelby. He and partner Jenna Johnson will dance to “Stop This Train” by John Mayer, reflecting the couple’s deep connection and the tributes will certainly evoke feelings for those in the audience.

Another heartfelt moment is anticipated from Jackson Olson, a player with the Savannah Bananas baseball team, who will perform a quickstep alongside Emma Slater. Olson will dedicate his dance to his mother, Laura, set to the classic “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole. It is an emotional tribute that showcases the bond between a mother and son, enhancing the family-oriented theme of the evening.

In a celebration of motherhood, Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess will perform a contemporary number to Ed Sheeran’s “Supermarket Flowers.” The former Bachelor contestant will dedicate this dance to all mothers, a fitting acknowledgement that is sure to resonate with many viewers.

Jenna Dewan will also be honouring her own mother, Nancy, alongside partner Val Chmerkovskiy. They will perform a Viennese waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, elevating the emotional stakes of the night with a powerful dedication to family love and support.

Connor Wood and his partner Rylee Arnold have chosen to dedicate their Viennese waltz to Wood’s father, Pete. Accompanied by the music of Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” this dance is poised to be a deeply personal expression that echoes themes of family ties.

Another standout performance will be delivered by Ezra Frech, a Paralympic gold medalist, who will dance a contemporary routine with Daniella Karagach dedicated to his mother, Bahar, to the song “Bloodline” by Mon Rovia. This performance aims to highlight the strength of the bond between a mother and son, particularly in overcoming life’s challenges.

Olympian Amber Glenn and partner Pasha Pashkov will dedicate their contemporary piece to Glenn’s sister, Brooke, performing to Sia’s evocative “Breathe Me.” Additionally, Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas will showcase a paso doble, dedicated to Ireland, while Tatyana Ali will dance a Viennese waltz to Nancy Wilson’s “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am,” with her specific dedication to be revealed shortly via the show’s official podcast.

Dedication Night follows the excitement of the previous week’s “Super Bowl Night,” featuring performances inspired by songs from renowned Super Bowl Halftime Show entertainers. Season 35 has already seen themes such as “Mariah Carey Night,” “Yacht Rock Night,” and “Viral Hits Night,” with more interesting themes still on the calendar, including “Horror Movie Night” and “Disney Night.”

As the competition moves toward its peak, viewers can anticipate the semifinals in Week 10, leading up to the grand finale on 24 November. For those keen to follow this emotional journey, ‘Dancing with the Stars’ airs on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, promising an evening of tributes and stirring performances.