Originally published on 10/31/25

Actress Elaine Hendrix has been absolutely killing it on Dancing with the Stars this season. From her touching dedication dance with her Parent Trap co-star Lisa Ann Walter to that jaw dropping moment in “Defying Gravity,” where she actually took flight, it makes total sense that she’s a fan-favorite. Woman’s World recently caught up with Hendrix to talk about these now viral moments, and discover what really happened during her health scare earlier this week. Read on for more. 

Elaine Hendrix talks ‘DWTS’ and her partner Alan Bersten

At 54, Hendrix decided to step into the ballroom and compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy, a decision that she says has changed her life. 

“I started my career as a professional dancer, and I trained at a very high level. Then I was hit by a car and that all came to a screeching halt. That was 30 plus years ago, and I literally never thought I would dance again,” the actress shared. “So when this opportunity came up, I was, like, ‘Oh, wow, if I don’t do this now, when am I going to do it?’ I truly feel like it’s a once in a lifetime deal. And so I said yes, and it’s been the best decision ever. I am beyond thrilled that I’m doing this.” 

Once she was cast on the show, Hendrix then had to be paired up with a partner, a relationship that becomes quite important throughout the competition. In the end, she was matched up with Alan Bersten, someone who made it to the finale last season. 

“He’s the perfect partner for me,” Hendrix said. “When I got this, my bestie Lisa Ann Walter and I were speculating about who I would get and how it would go. Then I got Alan, and in getting to know him and him getting to know me, I know we are the perfect partnership.” 

“Every week I go in, like, ‘Oh, I’m not sure what I can do’ and ‘Oh, how is this going to get done?’ And he’s, like, ‘No, I believe in you, and I know you can do this.’ And he has pushed me beyond what I thought I could do, and I am so glad he did,” she continued. “I’m so grateful, because I’m proving to myself each week what I’m actually capable of, and it’s far more than I could have even imagined.” 

Elaine Hendrix spills on her friendship with Lisa Ann Walter 

Speaking of Walter, she and Hendrix have been friends for decades. In fact, they are so close that Hendrix even offered her Dedication Week dance to her. 

“Lisa and I have been besties ever since we did The Parent Trap together almost 30 years ago. We’ve literally been through everything together, all of life together, and no matter what happens, we’re going to be the ones to grow old together,” Hendrix said. “So, to have that moment makes me emotional. We will always be able to put on that video, watch it and go, ‘Oh my God, we did that. Look at us.’ She’s on a hit ABC show [Abbott Elementary],  I’m on a hit ABC show [Dancing with the Stars]. We’re both back in the House of the Mouse, and it’s just this perfect storm. And I felt like it really, truly captured and celebrated our friendship.” 

Elaine Hendrix opens up about her recent injury 

During the most recent episode of Dancing with the Stars, it was revealed that Hendrix had sustained an injury and was in the hospital. This resulted in her missing the live show, and had fans wondering what exactly happened and if she was okay. 

“It’s kind of ironic, because I feel like at this point we were seven weeks in and I’m so much stronger than I was when I started, and my endurance is through the roof. I just felt so ready. But when we first started doing lifts in ‘Defying Gravity,’ I tweaked my ribs. And then the more we did ‘Defying Gravity’ and then the more we started doing ‘Bad to the Bone,’ my ribs just kept getting worse and worse,” she explained. 

“Luckily there’s nothing permanent and nothing is broken. In all likelihood, it’s torn,” Hendrix continued. “At this point, it’s about pain management and dancing through the pain, which I am very determined to do.”  

Even with the injury, though, Hendrix did make it through to the next week, which she feels “really good” about. 

“We’ve been getting so much love and it’s incredible,” the actress said. “It makes me feel like I’ve been doing my job, really bringing it, performing it and giving it my all. And I’m just really grateful that that’s translated.” 

Elaine Hendrix teases her next dance 

For Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Night on Dancing with the Stars, Hendrix says she and Bersten are “doing a Viennese Waltz to ‘What the World Needs Now’ by Dionne Warwick, who was inducted last year.” 

“I feel like every week has some sort of special connection, and this for me is all about love and joy, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect for me and where I’m at physically and mentally in this competition,” she continued. “I got to meet Dionne Warwick, who I’m a huge fan of, at an animal event. And so this is going to be my own personal dedication to all of my advocacy work.” 

Be sure to watch Elaine Hendrix on Dancing with the Stars every Tuesday at 8pm EST on either ABC or Disney+. 

Link to original: https://www.womansworld.com/entertainment/celebrities/elaine-hendrix-talks-dwts-injury-lisa-ann-walter-more-exclusive