'Dancing With the Stars': One of the highest-scoring dancers of the night was eliminated and pretty much everyone was shocked

After her strong performance, no one saw the elimination of Lele Pons coming.

Despite the third-highest score of the night, Lele Pons was voted off DWTS.
Despite the third-highest score of the night, Lele Pons was voted off DWTS. (ABC)
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Viewers were stunned after a shocking elimination on Tuesday’s Dancing With the Stars, when a top 3 performer from the evening — Lele Pons — was voted off the show.

It was music video night on the show, with the remaining eight dancers performing to songs that were accompanied by iconic music videos during their time, with artists like the Backstreet Boys, A-Ha, Gwen Stefani, Britney Spears and Nsync.

Here’s a look at how the evening shook out.

Lele’s performance

Pons, a social media star and actress, danced a salsa routine with her partner Brandon Armstrong to the Shakira song “Whenever, Wherever” and received a score of 33 from the judges, including guest judge Paula Abdul.

After bonus scores from a group dance competition were added later in the show, Pons was sitting in third place out of the eight remaining contestants, with actress Xochitl Gomez and reality star Ariana Madix tied above her at the top.

Lele’s exit

The last three couples remaining on the stage included Pons along with actor Barry Williams and reality star Charity Lawson

“I am so, so grateful for everything. You’re the best,” Pons said, gesturing toward her partner Armstrong. “Everybody here’s the best, I love them.”

She reiterated those sentiments on social media and added that these are memories that she will “cherish forever.”

And speaking of her partner, Armstrong seemed as shocked as everyone else in the room after their names were called.

“That one burns. I definitely don’t think Lele should have gone home tonight. I think Lele was getting better. No dance experience coming in, she’s the best partner she could have been,” he said. “At the end of the day it’s a show, we’re happy to be here and we made a lot of great moments together, and she’s the best.”

Lele Pons and partner Brandon Armstrong get the news they've been voted off the show.
Lele Pons and partner Brandon Armstrong get the news they've been voted off the show. (ABC)

Lele’s support

The subdued and shocked reaction in the room carried over to viewers reacting on social media, with Lele’s fans and non-fans alike in agreement that this shouldn’t have been her night to exit the competition.

Life without Lele

Seven dancers remain, including Gomez, Lawson, Madix, Williams, singer Jason Mraz, actress Alyson Hannigan and social media star Harry Jowsey. Next week’s theme will be Whitney Houston night, honoring the late singer.

For more on other performances from this week’s show, click here.

Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC and streams the following day on Hulu and Disney+.