Maura Higgins scores 35 for Irish-themed paso doble on Dancing With the Stars

What happened on Dedication Night

Irish television personality Maura Higgins and her professional partner Mark Ballas scored 35 out of 40 for a paso doble on Tuesday night's Dedication Night episode of Dancing With the Stars, according to TVLine's recap of the Oct. 20 broadcast. ^[1]

Higgins danced to "I'm Shipping Up to Boston" by Dropkick Murphys. Instead of naming a person, she dedicated the routine to Ireland, according to a song and dance rundown for the episode by Dance Mogul. Stellar.ie reported ahead of the show that the performance was planned as a tribute to the people of Ireland. ^{[2] [3]}

The 35 placed the pair sixth among the 10 remaining couples. Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov led with 38, followed by Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach and Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten, both on 37, per TVLine's score table. Four couples were tied on 32 at the bottom. Archyde's score list matches those figures. ^{[1] [5]}

No elimination this week

No couple was sent home on the night, TVLine reported, so all 10 pairs remain in the competition. Archyde reported that producers have confirmed a double elimination next week on Horror Movie Night. That report does not say whether Higgins and Ballas are at risk, and no source read for this brief addresses it. ^{[1] [5]}

Neck injury in rehearsals

Higgins said earlier in the week that she hurt her neck in rehearsals, according to JKN's report. The outlet said she collapsed during practice and was treated by the show's physiotherapist, and quoted her as saying she "genuinely" felt the pain was "getting worse." Stellar.ie also reported that she had described struggling with a painful neck injury while preparing. ^{[4] [3]}

The sources read for this brief do not say whether the injury affected her routine on the night or what treatment she is receiving now. Neither does any of them report a statement from the show about her condition. ^{[4] [3]}

Background

Higgins, who is from County Longford, Ireland, is a contestant in season 35 of the American Dancing With the Stars. Stellar.ie described her as representing Ireland on the show. This week's episode centered on dedications, with most contestants paying tribute to family members or other people important to them, including a mother, a sister, a wife and the late actor Heath Ledger, according to Archyde's list. ^{[3] [5]}

The show returns next week with Horror Movie Night and the double elimination. Judges' individual comments on Higgins' dance were not available in the sources read, and the results of any viewer vote beyond the no-elimination outcome were not reported. ^{[1] [5]}