In a move that sent waves of excitement through the ballroom, Hollywood star Zac Efron made a long-awaited and surprise appearance on the hit show Dancing with the Stars on November 18. The actor slipped into the audience just in time for the high-stakes semifinals to cheer on his younger brother, contestant Dylan Efron.
A Supportive Brother Steals the Spotlight
The moment was perfectly timed. As soon as Dylan Efron and his professional partner, Daniella Karagach, finished their powerful tango performance to Prince’s “I Would Die 4 U,” the cameras immediately found Zac in the crowd. He was not hiding in the shadows but was seated right next to their five-year-old sister, Olivia, with the rest of their family surrounding them.
Zac’s support was visibly heartfelt. When the judges handed Dylan a score of 27 out of 30, Zac’s reaction was as if he were the one being evaluated, appearing even more hyped than his brother. His energy was infectious, and the crowd's atmosphere noticeably shifted every time he was shown on camera. He popped up again with enthusiasm during Dylan’s second dance to “Kiss,” which earned an even better score of 28 out of 30.
Clearing the Air on Zac's Earlier Absence
Fans of the show had been questioning Zac Efron's absence throughout the season. However, Dylan had already addressed this in an Extra interview back on October 21. He clarified that Zac was busy “doing his thing,” but emphasized that his famous brother was supporting him “every day,” even if he wasn't physically present in the ballroom.
The emotional connection between the brothers was further highlighted in an earlier episode on October 14. For his performance, Dylan danced to “Rewrite the Stars,” the iconic duet from Zac's film The Greatest Showman. Dylan dedicated the dance to his brother, calling it a “nod to my brother,” and spoke about how he aspires to be the same protective older figure for their sister Olivia that Zac has been for him.
A Star-Studded DWTS Reunion
Zac Efron was not the only familiar face in the audience for this special episode. The Dancing with the Stars 20th-anniversary celebration transformed the semifinal into a major reunion, bringing back a host of former contestants and professional dancers from across all seasons.
The ballroom was packed with stars, including:
- Original pros like Jonathan Roberts and Edyta Sliwinska.
- Past winners such as Kristi Yamaguchi and Rashad Jennings.
- Popular alumni including Apolo Anton Ohno, Rumer Willis, and Xochitl Gomez.
The event felt like a grand celebration of the show's legacy, making the night about more than just the competition.
