On February 28, 2025, the much-anticipated Disney Night special episode of Danse avec les stars aired on TF1, presented by Camille Combal. The show was filled with nostalgia and enchantment, as each of the eleven participants took to the stage to celebrate beloved Disney classics, with performances inspired by favorites such as The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Alice in Wonderland, Aladdin, Ratatouille, and Frozen.
This season introduced several notable contestants, including Charlotte de Turckheim, Franck Leboeuf, and Sophie Davant, among others, with the judges being Fauve Hautot, Mel Charlot, Jean-Marc Généreux, and Chris Marques. Unfortunately, among the participants, Nelson Monfort faced elimination during the previous week’s episode on February 21.
Philippe Candeloro appeared on TV Magazine’s Buzz TV shortly before the Disney-themed episode aired, sharing insights on Monfort's experience. Candeloro, who previously competed on Danse avec les stars, empathized with Monfort, noting the challenges faced by older contestants like Monfort who is now 71 years old. He stated, "Danse avec les stars, 'an extremely complicated exercise' for Nelson Monfort according to his friend Philippe Candeloro. He continued, "I went to support him. I went to coach him before he did his first dance before the first prime. I saw he was going to have quite a few gaps, but it’s normal. Nelson bodily has some difficulties moving."
During the Disney Night, contestants showcased their creativity through choreographies inspired by Disney characters. For example, Eve Gilles stepped onto the floor as Pocahontas, and Claude, known from the reality show Koh-Lanta, transformed himself to portray Jack Sparrow. Perhaps the most heartwarming moment occurred when Adil Rami surprised everyone by receiving a heartfelt video message from his children, Madi and Zayn, who provided encouragement, saying, "Coucou papa! We've seen your video, you dance so well, you're the best! You'll win like always!" This touching gesture brought tears to many audience members and highlighted the emotional aspect of the competition.
Reviewing the elimination process to determine the contestants who would advance, it was revealed how the judges’ scores play heavily on viewer perceptions. Candeloro pointed out, "It's the 2 of Chris Marques who hurt Nelson, I think, because it really encourages viewers to say: 'It’s true, he wasn’t good.'" This observation hinted at how the judgment of contestants influences their ability to resonate with audiences and secure votes.
While Monfort did attempt to enjoy his dance return on February 28, it was not enough. The competition remained fierce, and certain pairs found themselves on the bottom after accumulating low scores over the weeks. Following intense performances, it was finally revealed at the end of the show, Sophie Davant and her partner Nicolas Archambault would be the second couple to leave the competition. This served as the continuation of the unforgiving nature of the reality series as each week strips down participants to find who will continue to shine.
The show not only captures the joy of dance and performance but also the drama-filled experience of competition which keeps viewers hooked week after week. Both the winners and those eliminated experience incredible journeys echoed through dance and personal growth.
Danse avec les stars continues to captivate its audience with every episode, combining magic, nostalgia, and captivating performances. This season, judged by both the compelling talent of the participants and the navigational input of the judges, keeps the entertainment alive and vibrant, showcasing both struggles and heartfelt moments.
The countdown continues, with audiences eagerly awaiting the next episode to see how the competition evolves as it promises more heartfelt themes to engage viewers both on-screen and at home.