Scott Hoying Says He’s ‘Gagged’ by Lauren Jauregui’s One-Word Response to Her ‘DWTS’ Elimination (Exclusive)

Scott Hoying is sharing his reaction to the latest Dancing with the Stars elimination.

During the Tuesday, Sept. 30, episode, the season 34 cast was tasked with taking on TikTok Night, dancing to trending songs from the social media app.

The episode ended with a surprising elimination that left everyone in the ballroom shocked. Lauren Jauregui and her partner, Brandon Armstrong, were voted off the week 3 episode. Immediately following the news, Lauren told co-host Julianne Hough she was feeling “pissed.”

Hoying spoke exclusively to PEOPLE after the episode aired, saying he is “obsessed” with the Fifth Harmony singer’s response to being eliminated.

“She is so honest, she’s so true to herself. She is confident, she’ll tell it like it is,” he said. “But she is the first person in the room that will make sure everyone’s heard, everyone’s seen. She’s an empath.” 

“She has a perfect soul,” Hoying continued, sharing that he both adores and is inspired by Jauregui.

“I am gagged,” he said, later adding that he thought she had a chance to win this season.

“I’m so shocked, and it’s really, really sad because she was really invested,” the Pentatonix singer said. “She puts her heart into everything.”

Hoying’s partner, Rylee Arnold, echoed the sentiments, telling PEOPLE how much of a “kind soul” Lauren has been during the production.

“She’s been such a good friend to us at rehearsals and then somebody that you can just talk to and just be vulnerable with,” Rylee said. “So the competition is really gonna miss her.”

The professional added that Lauren is “so talented,” so when Lauren’s name was announced, Rylee said her jaw “genuinely was dropped for a long time.” 

“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “It’s crazy.”

Lauren and Brandon’s final ballroom dance was a cha-cha to “Work From Home” by Fifth Harmony featuring Ty Dolla $ign.

After their performance, they earned an 18/30 from the judges. During the critique, Derek Hough said he looks forward to Lauren’s performances every week, but she needs “more fire” for the Latin dances.

“You have a wonderful lyrical quality,” judge Bruno Tonioli said. “Sometimes you have to hit and show the beat through your body like you would with your voice.”

“I really like the way you move,” judge Carrie Ann Inaba said. “I want to see a lot more pop in your step … I want more dynamics. I want more of the life force to come out of you… Don’t be afraid to hit it and quit it.”

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Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and simulcast on Disney+. The show streams the next day on Hulu.