A masterclass in theatrical storytelling, blending high-energy contemporary dance with iconic horror imagery to earn critical acclaim and perfect scores.
While Shum and Johnson stole the spotlight, the night was brutal for Tyler Cameron and Jackson Olson, who were both eliminated due to the double-elimination rule.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson received a 40/40 score on Oct. 27, 2026. Judges Shirley Ballas and Bruno Toniolo praised the 'Saw'-themed routine set to a Britney Spears cover.
Shum didn't just dance; he survived. This perfect score is a massive momentum builder, but the double elimination proves no one is safe on 'DWTS'.
If you thought Harry Shum Jr. was just here to look pretty, think again. On the Tuesday, Oct. 27 episode of Dancing With the Stars, the Glee alum and his professional partner Jenna Johnson delivered a performance so visceral, so technically demanding, and so utterly committed to the bit that it earned them the first perfect 40/40 score of the season. Titled 'Horror Movie Night,' the episode saw stars lean into their inner slasher, but none were as terrifyingly talented as Shum and Johnson.
Their contemporary routine, inspired by the Saw film franchise, wasn't just a dance; it was a short horror film set to a 2WEI cover of Britney Spears’ 2004 hit 'Toxic.' The staging was impeccable. Shum took the stage in a blood-soaked white shirt and tie, his face dripping with viscera, while Johnson stalked him across the floor like a predator. The choreography was high-energy and acrobatic, featuring daring lifts, spins, and a particularly impressive sequence where Johnson sat on Shum’s shoulder before lying flat to form a human 'T' shape.
The routine built to a chaotic crescendo, ending with Johnson ripping off Shum’s tie and knocking him to the ground. As he convulsed, trying to rise, she repeatedly shoved him down with her foot. The final image?
Saw’s Billy the Puppet rolling onto the stage on his squeaky tricycle. It was creepy, it was camp, and it was perfect. The judges were visibly shaken.
Guest adjudicator Shirley Ballas stated she had 'never seen anything like it,' while Bruno Toniolo dubbed the performance 'perfect.' This unanimous praise resulted in a flawless 40, putting Shum and Johnson firmly in the lead for the season. For a celebrity known more for singing and acting, nailing a contemporary routine that requires this level of trust and physicality with a partner is no small feat. It’s the kind of receipt that silences any lingering doubts about his dancing chops.
However, the night wasn't all smiles for the contestants. Because the previous week’s 'Dedication Night' had no elimination, Tuesday forced a double elimination. The axe fell on The Bachelorette’s Tyler Cameron and his partner Sharna Burgess, who performed a Dracula-themed Viennese waltz to Annie Lennox’s 'Love Song For a Vampire.' They were joined in exit by Savannah Bananas player Jackson Olson and professional Emma Slater, whose Joker-inspired routine to Frank Sinatra’s 'That’s Life' failed to impress. While Shum celebrated a historic score, two other stars went home, proving that on DWTS, even the best Halloween costumes can’t save you from the judges' scissors.
