Sisterhood Shines at Dancing with the Stars Dedication Night

There’s a reason the phrase sisterhood is medicine resonates so deeply. For women, friendships aren’t just a source of joy, they’re a lifeline. Study after study shows that women who nurture strong friendships experience better health, longer lives, and greater resilience through the many transitions of adulthood. These bonds surpass companionship and provide belonging, perspective, and emotional grounding in a world that can often feel isolating.

The truth is, maintaining friendships as adults takes work. Between careers, family responsibilities, and the general whirlwind of life, many of us lose touch with friends we once swore we’d never live without. Yet, those who continue to invest in their friendships reap the benefits. Enjoying laughter-filled brunches or late-night phone calls, but also measurable health outcomes: lower stress, improved heart health, and even stronger immune systems. Connection among a group of friends is biological nourishment. And sometimes, the power of women’s friendship shows up in the most beautiful and unexpected places.

Nearly three decades after they first met on the set of The Parent Trap, actors Elaine Hendrix and Lisa Ann Walter are reminding the world what enduring friendship looks like. Back in 1998, Hendrix played Meredith Blake, the sleek, ambitious foil to Walter’s warm, maternal Chessy. On screen, their characters clashed. Off screen, something clicked. A casual lunch between takes turned into a lifelong friendship, one that lasts through red carpets, career shifts, and the wild ride of Hollywood.

Fast forward to 2025, with Hendrix competing on Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars. When the show’s producers announced “Dedication Week,” she didn’t hesitate: her performance would honor Lisa. The dance became a celebration of the connection they forged almost 30 years ago, a bond that outlasted their fictional rivalry and transformed into something far deeper, showcasing their sisterhood, chosen family, and joy shared through every life chapter.

Their story is the perfect promo for besties for life, showing what happens when women lift each other up, even when their characters on screen are meant to loathe each other. Both actresses have weathered career highs and lows, motherhood, and reinvention. Through it all, they’ve shown up for each other in laughter, in support, and even, now, in rhythm.

In an age where loneliness is being called an epidemic, their friendship is a reminder that love doesn’t only live in romance. It thrives in the quiet loyalty of friends who see us through time. As Hendrix and Walter danced, the world witnessed the visible proof of what female friendship can build: endurance, grace, and the courage to keep shining.

Because whether on a dance floor or in everyday life, the message is the same: we wouldn’t make it this far, or feel this full, without each other.