Whitney Leavitt Praises Husband Conner After ‘DWTS’ Season 35 Elimination

Whitney Leavitt is standing firmly behind husband Conner Leavitt after his short-lived run on Dancing With the Stars season 35.

Following Conner’s elimination during the season premiere, the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star shared a supportive message on Instagram on Wednesday, September 16. Whitney praised her husband for stepping outside his comfort zone and urged him not to let the result overshadow what he accomplished by competing on the ABC dance competition.

Her message came after Conner and first-time professional partner Adele Zaikman performed a salsa during the premiere but failed to secure enough combined support from judges’ scores and viewer votes to advance.

Whitney Leavitt Celebrates Conner’s ‘DWTS’ Journey

Whitney, 33, posted several mirror selfies with Conner, 32, following his elimination. In the pictures, Conner held a large bouquet of roses as the couple smiled together and shared a kiss.

“Conner, I am so proud of you,” Whitney wrote, according to Us Weekly. She told him she hoped the way his time on the show ended would not diminish the significance of taking on the challenge.

Whitney highlighted how far Conner had moved beyond his usual comfort zone, praising the work he put into preparing for the competition and his willingness to put himself in the public spotlight.

She also acknowledged that viewers may have their own reactions to his performance but made clear that she believes audiences have only seen part of what he can do.

“People can have their opinions, but I know you,” she wrote. “They’ve only seen a fraction of what you’re capable of.”

Whitney encouraged Conner to keep accepting opportunities and pursuing things that make him uncomfortable, framing his DWTS experience as a possible starting point rather than an ending.

Conner Leavitt and Adele Zaikman Made Their Debut With a Salsa

Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars kicked off Tuesday, September 15, with the male celebrity contestants performing routines set to Billboard No. 1 songs from their birth years.

Conner was paired with Adele Zaikman, who joined the competition as a first-time professional partner.

For their opening routine, the pair performed a salsa to Tag Team’s 1990s hit “Whoomp! (There It Is).” The judges awarded them 12 points out of a possible 30.

That was not the lowest judges’ score of the night. According to Us Weekly, Guillermo Rodriguez and professional partner Witney Carson received 10 points.

However, the competition’s outcome was determined using both judges’ scores and viewer voting. Conner ultimately did not receive enough combined support to continue.

Despite the disappointing result, Conner focused on the positive aspects of the experience immediately after his elimination.

“This has been the most fun,” he said, according to the report.

He also praised Zaikman, calling her a great partner and expressing excitement for viewers to see more of her abilities.

Whitney and Their Children Supported Conner From the Audience

Conner had plenty of family support for his Dancing With the Stars debut.

Whitney and the couple’s three children — Sedona, 6, Liam, 4, and Billy, 22 months — were in the audience. Several personalities associated with MomTok were also reportedly present.

In her Instagram message, Whitney said their children were proud of their father.

She closed her tribute by reminding Conner that she was proud to be his wife and hoped he was equally proud of himself.

“This is just the beginning, babe,” she wrote.

Whitney and Conner have been married since August 2016.

Conner Followed Whitney Onto the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Ballroom

Conner entered season 35 with a particularly useful source of advice at home.

Whitney had competed on Dancing With the Stars just one season earlier, partnering with professional dancer Mark Ballas for season 34. Their run lasted considerably longer, with the pair reaching the semifinals before being eliminated.

Before his own debut, Conner told Us Weekly that Whitney encouraged him to appreciate the experience while it lasted.

He recalled his wife telling him that the opportunity would pass quickly and that he needed to remain present, enjoy the process and learn as much as possible.

Conner also spoke highly of Whitney’s willingness to embrace opportunities that have come her way, saying he was proud of how she had approached her career.

Although his own competitive journey ended much earlier than Whitney’s, her post-elimination message echoed the same advice: keep moving forward and continue saying yes to unfamiliar opportunities.

What Comes Next for Conner Leavitt?

The source report did not announce a specific next project for Conner following his Dancing With the Stars elimination.

Whitney’s comments, however, suggest she hopes the experience motivates him to explore more opportunities outside his comfort zone.

For now, his season 35 run ends after a single competitive routine, while professional partner Adele Zaikman’s debut introduced her to the wider DWTS audience.

Whitney, meanwhile, made it clear that one early elimination has not changed how she views her husband’s achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Conner Leavitt eliminated from Dancing With the Stars?

Conner Leavitt and professional partner Adele Zaikman earned 12 out of 30 for their salsa. According to Us Weekly, the combination of the judges’ score and viewer votes was not enough for Conner to advance in the competition.

What did Whitney Leavitt say about Conner’s elimination?

Whitney praised her husband for leaving his comfort zone and putting himself out there. She acknowledged that viewers could have different opinions while encouraging Conner to continue pursuing new challenges.

Who was Conner Leavitt’s DWTS partner?

Conner was paired with Adele Zaikman, who made her debut as a professional partner during season 35.

Did Whitney Leavitt compete on Dancing With the Stars?

Yes. According to the supplied Us Weekly report, Whitney competed on season 34 with professional dancer Mark Ballas and reached the semifinals.

How many children do Whitney and Conner Leavitt have?

The couple have three children: Sedona, Liam and Billy. All three attended Conner’s Dancing With the Stars debut with Whitney, according to the report.