Fans took a trip back to the ’90s for Monday’s episode ofDancing with the Stars.
Then the eight couples were introduced for ’90s Night, as co-hostsTyra BanksandAlfonso Ribeiroannounced there would be two rounds of competition (including a fun relay dance that could earn the couples extra points) as well as a double elimination at the end of the night.
Tyra also revealed the episode would be dedicated to Aaron Carter, whowas found dead over the weekendat age 34. Cartercompeted on season 9 ofDWTSwith Karina Smirnoff, ultimately placing fifth on the show.
“This past weekend, we lost Aaron Carter. And the team here atDancing with the Starsrecalls the fun and the energy he brought to the show, to this ballroom. And we offer our sincere condolences to his family,” Tyra shared.
Trevor Donovan and Emma Slater
After earning a near-perfect score last week, Trevor celebrated being tied at the top of the leaderboard with Charli D’Amelio.
“I never in a million years thought I could do what I did last week,” the90210actor said. “I actually feel like I’m becoming a dancer.”
Though the song wasn’t his first choice, Trevor was determined to nail the routine (and its challenging lift) to prove he deserved to continue on to next week. After his upbeat performance, the judges had nothing but good things to say.
Head judgeLen Goodmansaid, “That was so much fun and it was a great way to start the show,” whileDerek Houghcalled the intro “perfectly plastic” and commended Trevor’s improvement in his “confidence”.
Bruno Tonioli said the choreography “was like watching a sitcom set to music. Every element of the characters came alive perfectly… you really have grown as a performer like there is no tomorrow.”
ButCarrie Ann Inabawas a bit more critical, noting that Trevor seemed “a bit too tense” and suggested that he attempt to “smooth it out” next time.
However, Emma was not phased. “I trust him so much,” she said. “I knew he would have me every time and he did. He’s just a really great partner, we have a really great connection.”
Score: 34/40
Shangela and Gleb Savchenko
Shangela was still on cloud nine after earning a perfect score last week. “I couldn’t feel my legs underneath me because I was so overcome with excitement,” she said.
The drag superstar then reminisced on the ’90s when she was a teenager, and said it was the time she realized she was gay. Shangela also revealed she went to her first gay club during the 90s, which is when she “really started to love who I was as a person.”
But still, that didn’t help with the pressure she was feeling. “Now there’s a double elimination,” she said. “Any misstep and all of a sudden, I could be in the bottom two and out the door.”
However, going out the door seemed unlikely after her dance. Derek noted how she “crushed the room and the crowd appeal is off the charts.” He also pointed out that her footwork was a “little sloppy at parts” but emphasized, “I am not taking anything away from that amazing, incredible performance.”
Bruno told her, “You have so much fire down below, you literally erupt on stage. You take over the stage,” while Carrie Ann couldn’t stop raving over the routine. “I always look forward to your performance because you’re gonna bring so much joy and so much energy,” she said. “You killed it and it was amazing!”
Added Len: “You come out every time and give it everything. Sometimes it loses a tad of control in your footwork, but overall, wow.”
Shangela later said of the night’s double elimination, “I came to work so if I gotta get them five extra points, then Gleb and I are about to turn it up and turn it out.”
Score: 37/40
Wayne Brady and Witney Carson
Wayne said he “felt vindicated” after last week’s dance, but noted that after Trevor rose to the top of the scoreboard, “it’s anybody’s game.”
Reflecting on the ’90s, Wayne said the era “changed my life forever” because it was whenWho’s Line Is It Anyway?started airing and launched him into stardom. He then pointed out how he’s currently hosting several shows and has a lot on his plate as he competes onDWTS.
“That was your best dance so far,” Carrie Ann said. “We were all dancing along with you. 90s Night, this is your night!”
“It was really, really top-notch,” Len noted, as Derek added, “That was fantastic. The choreography, that was a difficult routine and you naield it, brother.”
Later speaking to Alfonso about his busy schedule, Wayne said, “Physically, of course it’s difficult… but just like in relationships, you make time for the things you want and love.”
Wayne and Witney then earned their first perfect score since Prom Night. “It feels good to be back,” Wayne said.
Score: 40/40
Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart
Daniel celebrated jumping up to fourth place on the leaderboard last week, before setting his sights on ’90s Night. For theCODAactor, that meant reflecting on his childhood, including his difficult relationship with his birth mom who abandoned him.
Daniel said he met his birth mom for the first time after his high school graduation and during their first hug he “could feel my blood.” However, a few years later, Daniel learned she had cancer, and she died about two weeks later.
“To this day, I still feel regret. I feel stupid, I wish I had saw her more,” he said. “It still messes me up to this day.”
“It’s difficult and emotional for me to share this story, but I’m so happy I can share my heat and soul with Britt and everyone watching in the world,” he added. “I want to show everyone that I can go all the way.”
The judges loved it, with Carrie Ann calling the routine “extraordinary.” She added, “It was so funky, this new Daniel came out… I am so proud of you and it’s a honor to watch you dance.”
Len told Daniel, “You never fail to amaze me. You dance with so much confidence. It had power and it had polish.” Derek called the routine “insanely powerful,” and added through his tears that the dance “made me realize how much I depend on the music.”
Added Bruno: “The world is proud of you. We felt the sound of silence. We were all mesmerized. What you do up here is so special, it’s a gift to us.”
Speaking to Alfonso, Daniel said he hoped the dance would show people “I’m here and I’m successful. And you can be successful no matter what.” Britt also said dancing to silence was “a very profound” moment for her. “It’s made our connection even stronger this week,” she said.
Score: 39/40
Heidi D’Amelio and Artem Chigvintsev
Heidi reflected on last week’s results, where she ended up in the bottom two for the second time, and admitted, “If I end up in the bottom two again, I don’t know if they will save me again.”
Through her tears, Heidi admitted in her intro package, “I don’t want this to end for me or Charli because it’s been amazing. It’s so much bigger than a dance show for us.” The reality star added that she and her daughter have become “close in a different way now.”
Heidi continued to have an emotional time in rehearsals as she struggled to be vulnerable. “There’s a lot at stake this week. I have to prove to the judges that I belong in the semifinals,” she said.
Len pointed out that “some dances suit you very much and some don’t… [this was] the type of dance that doesn’t suit your personality.” He added that, “You’re far more outgoing and I thought this was more introverted.”
Derek said, “I thought that was beautiful, I really felt your emotion in that,” and Bruno chimed in, “You really let it all out… you did it with all the passion you have.”
Carrie Ann thanked Heidi for digging deep, pointing out that “more is expected” of women “in society and on the dance floor.” She noted, “There were moments of beauty and vulnerability… you let go, and that’s what we were looking for.”
Heidi later said of her tough week, “I’m a very emotional person but I do not show it on camera… all of the emotions were bubbling up this week.”
Score: 35/40
“That was the best Samba ever. It was so good!” Derek raved.
“I feel like I’ve been hit with a sex bomb,” joked Bruno. “The technique and amount of content he gave you is insane… the ease in which you performed is one of the best we’ve ever seen.”
Carrie Ann called the pairing a “well-oiled machine” and Len said it was “a mix of flair and care.”
After Derek and Bruno jokingly removed their shirts like Val did in the sexy Samba, the duo earned a perfect score.
Vinny Guadagnino and Koko Iwasaki
Vinny said he felt like last week was a major improvement but he still “landed at the bottom of the leaderboard.”
“I saw an improvement but being on the bottom kinda stinks,” he said, as he pointed out how he’s gone further in the competition than his fellowJersey Shorecostars Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino.
“What is it gonna take for me to win over the judges?” Vinny asked his partner, before vowing to make this week his best. “Voting is only gonna get you so far and I am not supposed to be here … I have to bring the heat.”
Carrie Ann said, “You do well with a challenge, Vinny. That’s why you’re doing so well in this competition.”
Len added that Vinny has a “long way to go, but you came out and you really came out and performed, so well done,” and Derek noted that the reality star is “fun, playful, but most of all, you’re charismatic.”
Score: 29/40
Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas
The TikTok star noted how last week “had so many surprises” and it “just goes to show you how quickly things can change and I am certainly not taking anything for granted.”
“If you were a painting, you are a Picasso. That was beyond anything I’ve ever seen on this dance floor,” Carrie Ann raved of their “masterpiece” routine.
“It was sharp, it was clean, it was crisp,” noted Len. “For a young lady, you dance with great maturity.”
Derek pointed out how Charli had an impressive “stride” and credited her ability to end “strong.” Bruno said it was “like watching two prowling panthers… at the top of their game.” He added that the “quality of movement… this isit.”
Relay Dance Competition
’90s Night then saw the return of the Relay Dance competition, where the groups were broken up into four pairs with one assigned style of dance. From there, two couples would go head-to-head and one judge would award five bonus points to the couple who performed best in each relay.
All four Relay Dances featured a live performance from the evening’s special guest artists, including Vanilla Ice, En Vogue, Salt-N-Pepa and Kid ‘N Play.
Results
Shangela, Trevor, Wayne and Charli all headed into the elimination with five bonus points — but that didn’t ease any nerves as two couples would be sent home this week, just one week short of the semifinals.
dancing with the stars/instagram
This left Vinny and Koko, Heidi and Artem, and Trevor and Emma in the bottom three. Heidi and Artem found themselves at the very bottom of the leaderboard, which sent them home immediately.
It then came down to the judges’ vote between Vinny and Koko and Trevor and Emma.
Derek and Bruno both voted to save Trevor and Emma, and Carrie Ann’s vote also went to Trevor and Emma, which meant Vinny and Koko were also going home.
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Dancing with the Starsairs live on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on Disney+.
source: people.com
