It was a jaw-dropping moment for fans of Dancing With the Stars: pro dancer Brandon Armstrong and singer Lauren Jauregui found themselves eliminated during the season’s TikTok-themed night. And if the audience was surprised, Brandon’s wife, Brylee Armstrong, was right there with them, feeling the shockwaves.
Brylee quickly took to social media, sharing a "get ready with me" video alongside her 31-year-old husband. In a candid moment, she declared, "That’s baloney." Brandon, feeling the sting, added his own blunt thought: "You won’t see me asking for votes anymore." Brylee agreed the elimination hit "a little shocking." Still, she pointed out just how tough the competition truly is this year. "There’s never really been a season like this," she explained, "where all the celebrities are good and popular." She noted that every contestant brought their own dedicated fan base to the show.
Brylee hinted that more surprises might be coming, even with her husband’s unexpected exit. "I think there are going to be a lot of shocking eliminations this season," she predicted. On Tuesday, September 30, Brandon and the 29-year-old Fifth Harmony singer performed a cha-cha-cha. They danced to the group’s viral hit, "Work From Home," even including moves from the original music video. The crowd gave them a standing ovation. But the judges awarded the pair only 18 out of 30 points. They told Jauregui she needed to be more precise with her footwork.
@bryleearmstrong_ Tonight put a whole new meaning to work from home 🥲 #dwts #elimination
The ballroom went silent as hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough read their names. Jauregui summed up her feelings in one word: "furious."
Later, in her social media breakdown, Brylee reminded everyone that the cha-cha is a "very difficult" style to master. "Do I think there was room for improvement? Yes," she added. "I think there’s room for improvement for every single person on the show." Brylee made it clear she wasn’t there to criticize the judges for their comments. She expressed how "grateful" she felt to be part of Brandon’s journey on the show. She also offered some insight into what happens next for pros who get eliminated early.
Brandon Armstrong and Brylee Armstrong Courtesy Brandon Armstrong/Instagram
"Don’t worry, guys, just because he was eliminated doesn’t mean he’s out of work," she told her followers. "He’s basically like a company member, so he’ll still be in the background for other dances. He’s still on the payroll. We’ll fully support all our friends still in the competition."
Even though she’s sad her husband isn’t competing for the mirrorball trophy, Brylee admitted she’s "more disappointed" for Jauregui. "This was a chance for her to do something for herself, apart from Fifth Harmony, and truly find her own path," Brylee continued. "For it to end so quickly is truly disappointing. She’s like family now, we love her very much." Jauregui got a boost of support from her fellow Fifth Harmony members. Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane, and Normani cheered her on from the audience on Tuesday night. "They are the best, honestly," Jauregui expressed after her performance, giving a shout-out to the girls from the sky box.
You can catch Dancing With the Stars on ABC and Disney+ on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.