Elaine Hendrix says she’s on the mend — and already eyeing her return to the ballroom.
After a rib injury forced the Parent Trap star to sit out Dancing With the Stars’ Halloween Night on October 28, Hendrix posted a health update the next day confirming she’s recovering and planning to be back for the next live episode.
Elaine Hendrix Shares Health Update After DWTS Hospitalization
“I’m doing okay,” Hendrix said in an October 29 Instagram video recorded with pro partner Alan Bersten. “I am up and about. I’m tender, I am sore, but I am starting pain management today.”
The 54-year-old added that she wouldn’t be dancing for two days on doctor’s orders, but emphasized that her goal is to return by the following live show. The update came after she was taken to the hospital just hours before Monday’s broadcast, when a prior rib injury suddenly flared up.
“I injured my ribs during ‘Defying Gravity’ and today they just seized up,” she explained in a separate video. “I couldn’t move. They brought me to the hospital. The doctor has said that with a day or two of rest, I should be able to continue and that’s exactly what I want to do. I want to dance, I want to keep doing this.”
Hendrix also thanked the Dancing With the Stars production for immediate care and support. “Thank you to the entire Dancing With the Stars team for taking such good care of me,” she said, noting she’s “ready to go” once cleared. “All of your messages. I’m seeing it all. And I just want you to know first and foremost, I’m okay and second of all, I’m ready to go.”
Fans Kept Team Elaine & Alan In The Competition
Despite the last-minute medical emergency, Team Elaine & Alan remained in the competition thanks to a combination of voter support and rehearsal footage. Production aired the pair’s earlier run-through of their Argentine tango to George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ “Bad to the Bone,” which was used in place of a live performance on Halloween Night.
Bersten used the post-show update to thank DWTS viewers who rallied behind the duo after news of Hendrix’s hospitalization spread. “We just want to say thank you so much for voting for us and showing so much love to Elaine and support,” he said. “We can feel it, and we appreciate it so much.”
Hendrix reciprocated the outpouring, sharing that she’s been moved by the encouragement she’s received. She also offered a peek at the couple’s elaborate Halloween Week concept, showing off a Mad Max: Fury Road-inspired costume along with hair and makeup sneak peeks that would have accompanied their tango.
Judges React To A Rehearsal-Only Routine
Even without a live turn on the dance floor, the rehearsal footage earned solid marks from the judges’ panel. Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, and guest judge Cheryl Burke combined for a total of 32 points, keeping Hendrix and Bersten competitive heading into next week.
Inaba, in particular, was visibly emotional about Hendrix’s setback following what she described as a breakthrough stretch. “I am broken-hearted truly for you, Alan and Elaine,” she said, pointing to the strong momentum the couple had built. After watching the rehearsal, she praised Hendrix’s growth, chemistry, and performance quality. “She was looking hot and sexy, and the chemistry was so real and passionate,” Inaba added. “She’s so strong, and she’s such a warrior.”
For a star who has leaned into storytelling and character work each week, the judges’ comments suggest Hendrix’s tango would likely have been a Halloween highlight had the injury not intervened. Still, the 32 keeps her in striking distance if she’s able to return at full strength.
Return Timeline And What’s Next On DWTS
Hendrix reiterated that her doctor expects a one-to-two day rest window, aligning with her plan to resume rehearsals shortly and be back “next Tuesday out on the ballroom.” Should that timeline hold, she and Bersten will look to pick up where they left off — refining the technique, connection, and performance she flashed in that Argentine tango run-through.
Dancing With the Stars is known for its grueling weekly turnaround and physically taxing routines, and rib injuries in particular can challenge breathing, core stability, and frame — all essential for ballroom and Latin styles. Hendrix’s transparency about pain management and rest points to a measured approach as she readies for the next live show.
In the meantime, the actor’s upbeat tone and gratitude kept her storyline focused on resilience. “I want to dance, I want to keep doing this,” she said, echoing a determination that has endeared her to viewers this season. With fan votes already carrying the pair through a tough week, the stage is set for a return that could re-ignite their momentum.
As always, the results will come down to a blend of judges’ scores and audience support. If Hendrix can translate that rehearsal promise into a live performance on her first week back, Team Elaine & Alan may have turned an unexpected detour into a galvanizing moment.
