Elaine Hendrix is not done with the ballroom. After a last-minute hospitalization sidelined the Parent Trap star on Dancing With the Stars’ Halloween Night, the actor shared a reassuring health update and a clear plan to return to the competition next week.
Hendrix missed the October 28 episode after a rib issue flared up just hours before showtime, but she returned to Instagram on October 29 alongside pro partner Alan Bersten to confirm she’s on the mend and starting pain management.
Elaine Hendrix Confirms She’s Okay After Rib Injury
“I’m doing okay,” Hendrix said in a video with Bersten. “I am up and about. I’m tender, I am sore, but I am starting pain management today.” The 54-year-old noted she won’t be dancing for two more days to give her body a chance to recover, but emphasized that she expects to be back in time for the next live show.
Her latest update follows a scary moment that unfolded on Halloween Night. “I injured my ribs during ‘Defying Gravity’ and today they just seized up,” Hendrix explained in an earlier Instagram video, referencing a prior routine. “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 team for taking care of her during the unexpected setback and for helping ensure a safe, speedy recovery. “All of your messages. I’m seeing it all,” she told fans. “And I just want you to know first and foremost, I’m okay and second of all, I’m ready to go. Just thank you so much for all the love and support that you’re showing. And thank you to the entire Dancing With the Stars team for taking such good care of me.”
She ended her update with a promise and a smile: “So, we will see you next Tuesday out on the ballroom.”
Halloween Night Went On With Rehearsal Footage — And Fans Showed Up
Although Hendrix couldn’t perform live, producers aired rehearsal footage of her and Bersten’s Argentine tango to George Thorogood & The Destroyers’ “Bad to the Bone.” The pair’s Mad Max: Fury Road-inspired concept was still on full display, with Hendrix later sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of the costume, hair, and makeup that would have fueled their high-octane routine.
Crucially, viewers rallied. “We just want to say thank you so much for voting for us and showing so much love to Elaine and support,” Bersten said in the Instagram video. “We can feel it, and we appreciate it so much.”
Hendrix and Bersten’s fans weren’t the only ones impressed by what they saw. Even with only the rehearsal package to evaluate, the judges—Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, Carrie Ann Inaba, and guest judge Cheryl Burke—awarded the duo a total of 32 points, keeping their season momentum alive despite the setback.
Judges Praise Hendrix’s Grit As Duo Earns 32
The judges acknowledged both the difficulty of the situation and the quality of Hendrix’s work leading up to Halloween Night. Carrie Ann Inaba was particularly moved by the sudden turn of events and the strength Hendrix showed in trying to return quickly and safely.
“I am broken-hearted truly for you, Alan and Elaine,” Inaba said during the broadcast. “After last week’s success, that momentum would have taken her to another level. Already I was like, ‘Damn, girl,’ watching that rehearsal. That is amazing.”
Inaba continued, praising Hendrix’s presence and performance quality: “She was looking hot and sexy, and the chemistry was so real and passionate. She’s so strong, and she’s such a warrior.”
While unforeseen injuries are part of the risk of live competition, Hendrix’s swift transparency, medical care, and measured plan to rest for a couple of days have laid the groundwork for a realistic return. Her focus now is on managing pain, following her doctor’s guidance, and getting back on the floor with Bersten as soon as she’s cleared.
What’s Next For Elaine Hendrix On DWTS
With Halloween Night behind them, Hendrix and Bersten are looking ahead to the next live episode—and a chance to build on the momentum reflected in their 32-point rehearsal score. If cleared, they’ll rejoin the pack with renewed fan support and a storyline shaped by resilience rather than setback.
For viewers, Hendrix’s updates deliver two things at once: peace of mind and a reminder of why live TV still captivates. The real-time stakes are high, but so is the payoff when a contestant refuses to let a tough break define their run.
Hendrix’s message was simple and upbeat: she’s okay, she’s grateful, and she’s itching to perform. Between a supportive partner in Bersten, appreciative judges, and fans who kept the votes coming based on rehearsal alone, the actor’s DWTS journey remains very much alive.
As the ballroom readies for another Tuesday night, all eyes will be on Hendrix’s return—and on whether her comeback dance can harness the fire that impressed the judges in rehearsal and had Inaba proclaiming, “Damn, girl.” For now, the update is clear: rest first, then back to work.
