Adele Zaikman Misses Nov. 2 DWTS Disney Night Due to Illness

Q: Will Adele Zaikman’s unexpected illness force last-minute choreography changes for the remaining cast during the spectacular Disney Broadway opening number?

Probably only minor adjustments, not a major overhaul. Zaikman said she is too ill to perform in the Disney Night opening number, but nothing in the available reporting suggests her absence disrupted the broader live show. “Dancing With the Stars” regularly uses a deep bench of pros and eliminated dancers in opening numbers and troupe-style segments, and reports ahead of the episode indicated that the rest of the pros and troupe would handle the number without her. Because Zaikman and her partner, Conner Leavitt, were already eliminated in Week 1, she was not attached to one of the competitive routines or the two team freestyles. That limits the likely impact of her absence to staging, spacing and partner formations within the opener rather than the episode’s main competitive choreography. The Disney Night production was still billed as a full-scale Broadway-themed show, with Broadway guest performers, guest judge Cynthia Erivo, and all scheduled competition elements intact. Post-show coverage focused on the performances, scores and elimination, not on any visible disruption tied to Zaikman missing the opener. So the most evidence-based answer is that her illness likely required some last-minute blocking or formation tweaks behind the scenes, but not a significant reworking of the Disney Broadway opening number or the rest of the cast’s routines.

Q: Why is an already eliminated dancer's sudden absence causing such a stir ahead of tonight's highly anticipated DWTS Disney Night broadcast?

It is drawing attention because Adele Zaikman’s absence is unusual for *Dancing With the Stars*, even though she was already eliminated from the competition. On *DWTS*, pros whose celebrity partners have been sent home do not simply disappear. They typically remain active in live episodes through the opening number, troupe work and other ensemble performances. Zaikman had been expected to dance in Monday’s Disney Night opener, so her illness creates a noticeable last-minute gap in one of the show’s most heavily produced episodes. The timing adds to the interest. Disney Night is one of the franchise’s marquee theme nights, and this year’s edition is especially packed: Disney-on-Broadway songs, team freestyle routines, Broadway guest performers and guest judge Cynthia Erivo. Because the episode is built around big group staging, even the loss of an eliminated pro matters behind the scenes and to viewers who follow the full cast. Zaikman is also not just any eliminated dancer. She is a first-year pro who joined Season 35 after winning *Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro*, making her a closely watched newcomer. Her missing a major live show in her debut season naturally stands out more than a routine absence might. The reason itself appears straightforward: Zaikman said she is “feeling unwell” and will rest at home. She is still expected back for the Nov. 24 finale with former partner Conner Leavitt.

3 articles · Updated · TV Insider · Nov 2

Adele Zaikman said she is too sick to perform in Dancing With the Stars Season 35's Disney Night episode on Monday, Nov. 2.
Zaikman posted on Instagram that she feels unwell and will miss the opening number, saying she will recover at home while cheering on the cast.
Season 35's Week 8 airs on Monday instead of its usual Tuesday slot, with the remaining 8 couples dancing to songs from Disney's Broadway shows.
Zaikman and partner Conner Leavitt were eliminated in Week 1, but eliminated pros still appear in live shows through opening numbers and troupe roles.
The Nov. 2 episode will also feature 2 team freestyle dances before another couple is eliminated, while Zaikman is still expected back for the Nov. 24 finale.

Sources

TV Insider15h ago

DWTS Pro Adele Zaikman Misses Disney Night Due to Illness

CinemaBlend11h ago

Another DWTS Pro Will Be Missing Tonight (But This Time HR Isn't Involved) | Cinemablend

Yahoo! Voices5h ago

One 'DWTS' Pro Won't Be on the Ballroom Floor for 'Disney Night'

11 Sources

Will Adele Zaikman’s unexpected illness force last-minute choreography changes for the remaining cast during the spectacular Disney Broadway opening number?

Why is an already eliminated dancer's sudden absence causing such a stir ahead of tonight's highly anticipated DWTS Disney Night broadcast?

Beyond a simple sick day, what does an eliminated pro's absence reveal about the grueling, hidden demands of reality television contracts?