Dancing with the Stars faced significant behind-the-scenes disruption during its Disney Night episode after professional dancer Adele Zaikman announced she would be unable to perform. The winner of The Next Pro took to Instagram Stories to inform fans that she was feeling unwell and would miss the opening number scheduled for Monday night, expressing her sadness at missing the show day while prioritizing her recovery.
According to reports from The Sun, Zaikman's last-minute absence created a chaotic atmosphere on set as producers and dancers raced to rework multiple routines. A source indicated that the situation was particularly hectic because the week already had a shorter schedule, compounding the pressure of filling in for a dancer booked for three different segments. While Zaikman held a major role in the opening number, she also had smaller parts in two other dances, requiring immediate adjustments across the board.
To manage the crisis, multiple troupe members stepped in to cover her roles, engaging in intensive practice sessions throughout Monday before the broadcast. Despite the frantic preparations and the unexpected void left by Zaikman, the episode ultimately aired without major issues. While it is presumed that she will return when the show resumes its regular Tuesday night time slot next week, no official confirmation regarding her comeback has been released yet.
Sources: Cosmopolitan.