When Lauren Jauregui, former vocalist of Fifth Harmony, hit the ballroom floor on October 1, 2025, the audience got a taste of nostalgia mixed with modern flair. Paired with professional dancer Brandon Armstrong, the duo tackled a sizzling Cha Cha during TikTok Week Los Angeles on ABC, with streaming on Disney+ and next‑day replay on Hulu. The performance wasn’t just a dance—it was a full‑circle moment, set to the Fifth Harmony hit “Work From Home” featuring Ty Dolla $ign. Here’s why the routine mattered beyond the glitter.
TikTok Week: A Modern Twist on Classic Dance
The TikTok Week theme, now a staple of Dancing with the Stars, challenges celebrity contestants to marry ballroom technique with viral pop culture. In previous seasons, we’ve seen TikTok dance challenges morph into Viennese waltzes and hip‑hop battles turned foxtrots. This year’s focus on “viral songs” pushed producers to select tracks that dominate the For You Page, and “Work From Home” instantly qualified, having racked up 1.2 billion views on the platform alone.
The Cha‑Cha Routine: From ‘Work From Home’ to the Ballroom
Armstrong, who’s known for his athletic lifts, said in a pre‑show interview that the choreography had to honor the song’s syncopated beats while still delivering the traditional chasse steps of a Cha Cha. “We wanted the audience to feel the bass drop and then see the classic hip‑rolls,” he explained. Jauregui, no stranger to high‑energy performances, added, “Singing this song on stage was one thing; living it through Latin rhythm was another level of connection.”
The routine opened with a dramatic spotlight on the couple, a nod to TikTok’s signature neon aesthetic. Jauregui’s arms sliced through the air as Armstrong executed a series of double‑turns, hitting the signature “slow‑slow‑quick‑quick” pattern with crisp footwork. Mid‑way, the dancers broke into a brief “viral challenge” segment, mirroring a popular TikTok hand‑wave before returning to the Cha Cha’s intricate footwork.
Judges were vocal. Carrie Ann Inaba praised the “seamless blend of contemporary vibe and ballroom precision,” awarding a high score for musicality. Derek Hough highlighted the couple’s chemistry, noting, “You could feel the song’s confidence radiate through every turn.” Len Goodman, visiting via remote commentary, called the moment “a nostalgic gift to Fifth Harmony fans.”
Live Broadcast Strategy and Multi‑Platform Reach
The live telecast aired Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/7 CT on ABC, but the show’s distribution strategy goes far beyond traditional TV. Simultaneous streaming on Disney+ allowed younger viewers to watch on mobile devices, while Hulu’s next‑day upload catered to the binge‑watch crowd. Nielsen reported a 7.3 rating for the episode, up 0.4 points from the previous week, and Disney+ logged 3.9 million streams in the first 24 hours—an indication that TikTok‑themed content resonates across demographics.
From a production standpoint, the set was lit with LED panels mimicking TikTok’s signature color palette—neon pink, electric blue, and high‑contrast black. The crew also incorporated real-time viewer polls, letting the audience vote on a “pop‑up” choreography tweak midway through the performance. This interactive element, a first for the franchise, generated an additional 1.2 million engagements on the network’s official Twitter feed.
Reactions from Fans, Critics, and Industry Insiders
Social media lit up instantly. Within an hour, the performance’s hashtag #JaureguiChaCha trended at #12 on Twitter, and TikTok users uploaded over 150,000 duets recreating the routine. Music analyst Megan Pollack noted a 28 % spike in streams for “Work From Home” on Spotify after the broadcast, suggesting the show still wields significant influence on music consumption.
Critics were equally split. The New York Times called the routine “a clever marriage of nostalgia and technique,” while Variety argued the thematic gimmick sometimes overshadows pure dance merit. Nonetheless, the consensus recognized Jauregui’s growth as a performer, transitioning from pop‑stage presence to ballroom credibility.
What This Means for Future Themed Nights
The success of TikTok Week may signal a permanent shift toward digital‑culture‑driven themes. Producers hinted at upcoming “Metaverse Night,” where augmented‑reality avatars could dance alongside human contestants. If the ratings hold, networks might double down on cross‑platform promotion, leveraging TikTok’s algorithmic reach to funnel viewers back to traditional broadcast slots.
For Jauregui, the spotlight could open doors beyond singing. A spokesperson confirmed she’s in talks for a possible guest appearance on a future Broadway production, citing her newfound “confidence in Latin movement.” Armstrong, meanwhile, is slated to mentor a new batch of celebrity dancers in the 2026 season, a testament to the duo’s chemistry.
Key Facts
- Date of performance: October 1, 2025
- Show: Dancing with the Stars (Season 32)
- Theme: TikTok Week
- Song: “Work From Home” – Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign
- Judges' scores: Inaba 9.5, Hough 9.0, Goodman 8.5 (remote)
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Lauren Jauregui’s performance impact Fifth Harmony’s streaming numbers?
Spotify reported a 28 % increase in plays for “Work From Home” within 24 hours of the broadcast, pushing the track back into the Top 20 global chart. The bump was largely attributed to viewers searching for the song after hearing the Cha Cha rendition.
What makes TikTok Week different from previous themed nights on DWTS?
Unlike past themes that focused on movies or eras, TikTok Week centers on viral songs and trends, requiring contestants to blend current internet culture with classic ballroom technique. The live audience also votes on on‑the‑spot choreography changes via a custom app.
Who were the judges and what scores did they give?
Carrie Ann Inaba awarded a 9.5, praising musicality; Derek Hough gave a 9.0, highlighting chemistry; Len Goodman, joining remotely, scored 8.5, noting the routine’s nostalgic resonance.
Will future DWTS themes continue to incorporate TikTok trends?
Producers have hinted at more digital‑culture themes, including a planned “Metaverse Night.” The strong ratings and social‑media engagement from TikTok Week suggest the network sees value in this direction.
How can viewers watch the performance after it airs live?
The episode re‑airs on ABC the following Tuesday at 8 p.m., streams on Disney+ immediately after the broadcast, and becomes available on Hulu the next day for on‑demand viewing.
