Zac Efron accidentally stole the spotlight at the Dancing with the Stars semifinals, and he wasn’t even dancing. The High School Musical star showed up on November 18, 2025 to cheer on his brother, Dylan Efron, who’s been competing with pro dancer Daniella Karagach since the season kicked off in September. But the internet went wild when the camera caught Zac turning to his mom right after Dylan’s tango scores came in, asking if 27 out of 30 was good, like he’d just discovered math for the first time.The whole night was Prince-themed and super intense, with everyone trying to snag a spot in the finale. Zac clapped like a proud big brother, even if he clearly didn’t know how the scoring worked. Fans loved the moment, calling it sweet, goofy, and totally relatable. And the best part is that Dylan made it to the November 25 finale anyway, proving all that Efron family cheering wasn’t for nothing.Zac Efron’s reaction to Dylan’s score on Dancing with the Stars goes viralCameras focused on Zac during the judging segment. He sat beside his mother and father in the audience. Dylan and Karagach had just completed their tango to "I Would Die 4 U."The Dancing with the Stars judges awarded three nines for a combined 27 points. Zac immediately leaned toward his mother with a question. Viewers attempted to read his lips through the broadcast footage. Most observers believe he asked if those were favourable marks. His expression suggested uncertainty about the scoring system. His mother's response appeared to reassure him about the result. Zac's reaction showed surprise at her answer. He nodded and said what looked like "Oh, okay" before clapping energetically. His parents laughed at the exchange beside him.The genuine confusion charmed social media users. Many found his unfamiliarity with the Dancing with the Stars competition format endearing. The clip circulated rapidly across multiple platforms within hours. Dylan and Karagach performed twice during the semifinals. Their second routine featured a cha-cha set to "Kiss." The pair navigated the Prince-themed night with determination. Their tango had received criticism from judge Carrie Ann Inaba. She noted footwork errors and questioned his musical connection. The 27-point score reflected those technical issues. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostThe cha-cha earned slightly higher marks at 28 points. Dancing with the Stars judge Derek Hough praised the improvement and effort. Their combined 55 points placed them last on the leaderboard. Despite the lowest semifinal total, Dylan secured a finale spot. The announcement thrilled his family section. Zac and his relatives cheered enthusiastically at the news.The advancement demonstrated how viewer votes influence results. Technical scores don't solely determine who continues. Audience engagement proved decisive for Dylan's campaign. Dylan spoke with media outlets after the episode concluded. He emphasised how meaningful Zac's presence felt."It meant everything," he told reporters backstage.The younger Efron grew up watching his brother perform. Reversing those roles created an emotional full-circle moment."The fact that he's now watching me do this is crazy," Dylan explained.Fans had questioned Zac's absence from previous episodes. Dylan previously defended his brother's schedule conflicts."He's doing his thing," he stated during an October interview.Zac had been supporting remotely throughout the season. Dylan confirmed daily encouragement despite physical distance. The semifinal appearance marked a special in-person show of solidarity.Dylan’s previous family tribute View this post on Instagram Instagram PostDylan honored his siblings during a previous Dancing with the Stars episode. He danced with five-year-old sister Olivia during Dedication Night. They performed to "Rewrite the Stars" from The Greatest Showman. The song features Zac's vocals alongside Zendaya. Dylan called it a tribute to his older brother. He credited Zac's selfless guidance throughout their lives."I wanna be that to Olivia," Dylan said about the performance.He aspires to provide similar support for their younger sister. The family bond remains central to his competition journey. The finale airs November 25 with Dylan among five remaining contestants. His family will likely attend to witness the conclusion. Zac's presence adds another layer to an already emotional competition.Watch Dancing with the Stars live on Mondays at 8/7c on ABC, with next-day streaming on Hulu.