Tuesday night's episode of Dancing with the Stars proved to be quite emotional.
Not only did the ten remaining contestants bring heartfelt performances to the week's theme of "Most Memorable Year," but past and present dancers from the show reunited to honor late head judge Len Goodman.
Goodman was a revered staple in the dancing world long before his stint on the ABC show. Many of the show's dancers noted in a video tribute that they had grown up knowing Goodman well before getting to work alongside him on DWTS.
Goodman announced his retirement from the show at the conclusion of season 31 last fall. He died just a few months later in April at the age of 78.
After a video introduction, dancers took to the floor to perform a tearful tribute in the form of a waltz to one of Goodman's favorite songs, "Moon River."
You can watch the moving performance, below.
Most Memorable Year - Len Goodman Tribute | Dancing with the Starsyoutu.be
The dancers and judges weren't the only ones overcome with emotion.
People on social media said they were struggling to keep it together.
@officialdwts I missed it and just caught it on here and I'm bawling my eyes out at 215 am. This was flawless and perfection and poetry in motion that said everything about Len without words. Heart breaking but the most gorgeous dancing routine ever on #DWTS RIP LEN THE 10\u2764\ufe0f\ud83d\ude4f\ud83d\ude2d— (@)
@officialdwts I had tears in my eyes during the dance tribute. Len will never be forgotten. This tribute was beautiful and heartwarming \u2764\ufe0f \ud83d\udc95 I'm sure he was smiling down, giving this performance a 10 \ud83d\ude25 love you Len \ud83e\ude75\ud83d\udc9b\ud83c\udf39\ud83c\udf39— (@)
The dance was choreographed by husband and wife Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson.
Former DWTS professionals who returned to honor Goodman included Mark Ballas, Maks Chmerkovskiy, Kym Herjavec, Anna Trebunskaya, Louis van Amstel, Karina Smirnoff, Edyta Sliwinska, and Tony Dovolani.
Current judge Derek Hough and his sister and current host Julianne Hough joined the others on the floor before the spotlight landed on Goodman's empty chair at the number's conclusion.
What a beautiful tribute.
@kileywrestling/Bluesky
