Dancing With the Stars fans were shocked by the end of Monday’s semi-finals, with James Van Der Beek being sent home just moments after he revealed that his wife Kimberly Brook suffered a miscarriage. The former Dawson’s Creek star announced in his second pre-dance video that his wife lost their baby on Saturday, but he still danced. The moment was so shocking that everyone on the dance floor broke into tears.
At the end of the night, Fifth Harmony singer Ally Brooke and Van Der Beek were the bottom two vote-getters. Since Brooke got a 59/60 total for her two dances, better than Van Der Beek’s 51/60, the judges had to go with Brooke based on her performance. But it was a gut-wrenching decision.
Videos by PopCulture.com
“This is not easy. First of all, this is not at all what I expected to see here,” Carrie Ann Inaba said. “You both are amazing. Both couples are fantastic. You’ve proved yourself in so many ways… Do I have to?”
After taking a deep breath and apologizing, Inaba voted to save Brooke.
Tonioli pointed out that everyone is a winner on the show, but they had to make a decision. He ultimately had to chose Brooke.
Afterwards, Brooke pleaded with co-host Tom Bergeron to allow her to be eliminated instead of Van Der Beek. He told her that could not happen, and called that a “lovely gesture.”
Me when the judges chose to save Ally over James #DWTS pic.twitter.com/x2pUtVjYsQ
— Tiara Jazelle Ford (@teetiny14) November 19, 2019
Fans at home were just stunned by the final moments of this week’s episode.
“I was watching #DWTS and the fact that James’ wife had a miscarriage and Ally wanted to give up her spot for him was just amazing. Both are equally good,” one fan wrote.
Me last week: yay Sean went home that means James will actually get to win now #Dwts judges this week: Bye James
— ams (@htgawknj) November 19, 2019
Me: pic.twitter.com/TQRVumutcR
“I think #dwts needs to go back and let the viewers choose who to save bc the change they did this year is ONE BIG FAIL! the better dancers end up leaving so what the point of lettin the judges choose? If some1 was at the bottom 2, 3 times.. what are the chances they going to win?” one fan complained.
“It’s like a family member is gone. Can James come back next week as guest judge with voice no vote?” another fan asked.
Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Photo credit: ABC/Eric McCandless
More Reality
-
Photo by Paula Lobo/American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. via Getty Images -
Mel B at the "America's Got Talent" Season 21 Red Carpet held at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on March 24, 2026 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty Images) -
“Reverse the Curse” – Back from tribal, tensions rise following the exit of a particularly historic player. The final five immunity challenge ends in a showdown and features one of the closest finishes the show has ever seen. Jeff reveals the outcomes of the remaining in-game fan votes and how they impact the final stage of the competition. Then, one castaway will be crowned Sole Survivor and awarded the $2 million prize, during the three-hour live season finale, on SURVIVOR 50, Wednesday, May 20 (8:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Jeff Probst serves as host and executive producer. Pictured: Aubry Bracco Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -
“A Side Dish of Chaos” – One castaway comes clean to the tribe about a previously deceptive move. The crowd favorite SURVIVOR auction returns, with an extra special season 50 spin. Chaos ensues when social media icon MrBeast arrives on the scene, on SURVIVOR 50, Wednesday, April 29 (8:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT). Photo: Robert Voets/CBS ©2025 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 28: West Wilson, Amanda Batula and Jesse Solomon attend Bravo's "Summer House" Season 10 at 92NY on January 28, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images) -
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 22: (L-R) Colin Dooley and Baylen Dupree attend the FYC screening of TLC's "Baylen Out Loud" at Pacific Design Center on April 22, 2025 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images for TLC)
