Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart's 'DWTS' Exit Stuns Fans After MMMBop Hitmaker's 'Best' Dance Yet

Remember Taylor Hanson? The singer recently traded his microphone for dancing shoes and competed in the 35th season of 'Dancing With the Stars.' However, the stage was shaken Tuesday night (US time) when it was announced that Taylor and professional dancer Britt Stewart were the couple with the lowest combined scores and votes and were headed home—they were the third couple eliminated overall.

Many fans were outraged, as this was Stewart's fourth consecutive early exit from the show in her seven seasons of competing. Her highest placement was in Season 31, when she was paired with deaf actor Daniel Durant, with whom she eventually started a relationship and whom she married in 2025.

Who Is Taylor Hanson?

Millennials remember Taylor as one-third of Hanson, an American pop-rock band that found massive success in the second half of the 1990s. The band is composed of the Hanson brothers, with the eldest, Isaac, mostly playing guitar, and the youngest, Zac, on drums. Taylor usually plays the keyboards and mostly performs as the lead vocalist.

In 1997, the band released its biggest hit, 'MMMBop,' from their major-label debut album titled 'Middle of Nowhere.' Taylor was only 14 when they were thrust into the limelight—Isaac was 16 and Zac was 11.

The song spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for Record of the Year at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards in 1998. Hanson was also nominated for Best New Artist and their album was up for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

Why Did Taylor Join 'DWTS'?

Taylor joined the show to try something different. He admitted there was hesitation on his part but eventually said: 'It's a good time to just try new things.'

While he wasn't the best dancer in the group of 16 celebrities from different entertainment sectors, Taylor was also not the worst, based on judges' feedback and scores. They scored 18 out of a perfect 30 on Tuesday—Jimmy Kimmel's sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez got a 15, while former Bachelorette contestant Tyler Cameron got a 17.

Judge Derek Hough even called Taylor and Britt's foxtrot to the Doobie Brothers' 'What a Fool Believes' the singer's 'best dance of the season.' Many were surprised by the elimination, including the pros, many of whom took to social media to share how much they appreciate Britt.

Reactions

Witney Carson, Rodriguez's professional partner, posted on social media: 'I love you so much @brittbenae. You are an absolute star in every way. You and Taylor were magic on that floor every week, & your choreography is always incredible with whomever you have but especially this season.

Ezra Sosa, the professional partner of actress Julia Stiles, said the elimination hurt and 'pissed' him off. Britt also received support from her former partner and now-husband Daniel: 'I'm so proud of Britt. I feel so lucky to witness behind the scenes just how incredibly hard she works.'

Britt, the first Black female professional dancer in 'DWTS' history, said 'I'm really sorry' to Taylor, who was also visibly shocked by their elimination.