Massimo Sinató vanished from the „Let’s Dance“ studio during the fifth live show on April 10, leaving his partner Esther Schweins and the audience in a state of confusion. Moderator Daniel Hartwich cited „private reasons“ for the professional dancer’s sudden departure, but the reality was far more grim. Sinató later confirmed via Instagram that he suffered the loss of a loved one, a bereavement that forced him to abandon the competition mid-broadcast.
The 45-year-old dancer described the period as a „turbulent and emotional week.“ While he initially kept the details private during the live recording, reports from BILD indicate the deceased was his uncle. Sinató’s exit came immediately after he and Schweins performed a high-tension Tango, marking a sharp contrast between the choreographed passion of the ballroom and the personal crisis unfolding off-camera.
Massimo Sinató confirms family bereavement after sudden studio exit
Sinató’s departure wasn’t a planned withdrawal. He participated in the fifth regular liveshow, delivering a performance that judges described as intensive and full of tension. However, he was absent by the time the show reached its conclusion, missing the final decision on who would be eliminated from the competition.
In a subsequent Instagram story, Sinató acknowledged the dual blow of his personal loss and the professional collapse of his partnership with Schweins. He spoke of a „loss of a loved one“ followed quickly by the „premature exit“ of both himself and his partner. The suddenness of the exit left the production to rely on vague explanations until the dancer chose to break his silence on social media.
A shifted rib ends Esther Schweins‘ competition
While Sinató’s exit was driven by grief, Esther Schweins‘ departure was a matter of medical necessity. The 55-year-old actress had been competing under significant physical duress since March, when she suffered two broken ribs. Despite the injury, Schweins continued to perform, intending to return for the following Friday’s show.
Medical professionals eventually intervened. RTL confirmed that one of the two broken ribs had shifted, creating a risk level that made further dancing impossible. Doctors advised an immediate stop to prevent further complications, effectively ending her journey in the competition before Show 6.
Sinató praised Schweins‘ resilience and character in his farewell message. He described her as a „wonderful person“ with a „heart of gold,“ noting that he loved teaching her and philosophizing about life during their time together. The partnership, which began at the „Kennenlernshow“ on February 28, ended not with a judging panel’s decision, but with a doctor’s order.
The final performance was a tribute to a 90th birthday
The emotional weight of the couple’s final appearance was amplified by a personal mission. Prior to their last dance, Sinató and Schweins traveled from Cologne to Mannheim for a few hours to visit Schweins‘ mother, Lieselotte, who had just turned 90.
Schweins dedicated their Tango specifically to her mother, stating before the performance that she was dancing only for her. This gesture added a layer of poignancy to the broadcast, as the high of the birthday tribute was almost immediately followed by the low of Sinató’s emergency departure and Schweins‘ subsequent medical exit.
This sequence of events mirrors previous seasons of high-stakes dance competitions where the physical demands of the choreography clash violently with the participants‘ personal lives. When athletes or performers push through fractures—as Schweins did for weeks—the risk of a „shifted“ injury often becomes an inevitability rather than a possibility.
Why did both Massimo Sinató and Esther Schweins have to abandon the show?
They left for entirely different reasons. Massimo Sinató withdrew due to a death in his family, specifically his uncle, while Esther Schweins was forced out by doctors because one of her two broken ribs had shifted, making it too dangerous for her to continue dancing.
What happened during the live show on April 10?
Sinató and Schweins performed an emotional Tango dedicated to Schweins‘ mother. Shortly after the performance, Sinató had to leave the studio abruptly for private reasons, meaning he was not present for the end of the broadcast or the elimination results.
Will Esther Schweins be replaced in the competition?
The provided sources do not mention a replacement; they only confirm that the journey for both the professional dancer and the celebrity candidate has ended.
