The Results Are In
November 12, 2024 10:08 PM EST
After the final instant dance of the night, America voted to keep their favorite couples in the running for the coveted mirrorball trophy.
Alfonso and Julianne announced that the couples who were safe were: Ilona and Alan, Stephen and Rylee and Danny and Witney.
This left Chandler and Brandon, Dwight and Daniella and Joey and Jenna on the chopping block. America ultimately voted to send Dwight and Daniella home.
While sharing his final words, the former NBA star said, âI had an amazing experience. Daniela is an amazing partner. Iâm glad that she was here with me. The show meant so much to me. I learned so much here.â
Ilona and Alan Get Their Freak On!
November 12, 2024 09:55 PM EST
Ilona and Alan excitedly drew the Salsa to Freak Nastyâs âDaâDipâ for their instant dance challenge.
While Ilona admitted she was unsure if she was ready for the snap performance, she put her game face on to perform the dance.
âI cried on national television, I donât really want to do it again,â she told cameras in rehearsals. âWhichever dance style I get, itâs gonna be daunting, but no matter what, Iâm gonna go out there and leave it all on the dance floor.â
Though the couple made a few mistakes in their performance, Ilona and Alan both performed crazy lifts and impressed judges and audience members.
âWhat I liked about this [was] it was clean and it did show how far youâve come,â Carrie Ann said.
Score: 24/30
Chandler and Brandon Leave No Crumbs
November 12, 2024 09:45 PM EST
For their instant dance challenge, Chandler and Brandon drew the Cha Cha to Charli XCXâs âApple.â
If the couple were nervous for their performance, they certainly didnât show it! In rehearsal, the actress told cameras the challenge was testing âall the skills Iâve learned so far.â
âI want to get the highest score we possibly can so we can secure our spot in the semi-finals,â she smiled.
Even though they were working with a time constraint, Chandler and Kinney aced their dance and according to Derek, âate and left no crumbs.â
The judges agreed and gave the couple another perfect score!
Score: 30/30
Stephen and Rylee Go For The Jive!
November 12, 2024 09:38 PM EST
Stephen and Rylee excitedly drew the Jive to Olivia Rodrigoâs âLove Is Embarrassingâ for their instant dance challenge.
In rehearsal, the Olympian confessed that he had his fingers crossed for the Jive because he struggled with âmusicalityâ and finding the tempo in his routines.
When the music started, the couple headed straight into their lively performance. Despite taking a few missteps, the duo finished their dance with a bang as Stephen jumped over Ryleeâs head.
âYou were rushing a bit at the beginning, but then you steadied into it, and then there was a mistake,â Bruno pointed out before adding, âBut well done.â
Score: 25/30
Dwight and Daniella Whip Up an Instant Paso Doble
November 12, 2024 09:28 PM EST
Heading into their instant dance challenge, Dwight and Daniella crossed their fingers for a dance like the salsa but instead drew a Paso Doble to Panic! at the Discoâs âVictorious.â
âI want this dance to launch me into the semi-finals!â Dwight said determined before heading into the performance.
With only five minutes on the clock to prep, the couple danced to the best of their ability and left it all on the dance floor.
Though Derek noted the pair had a few timing issues, he added that the dance was impressive either way.
âYou carry yourself like a champion,â Carrie Ann said. âI love the intensity of the focus you have the spirit of the Paso Doble.â
Score: 22/30
Danny and Witney Tackle Their Instant Jive
November 12, 2024 09:19 PM EST
For their instant dance challenge, Danny drew the Jive to âGood Golly Miss Mollyâ by Little Richard.
The duo admitted that they had their challenges ahead of them in rehearsal footage that played before they took the stage. The NFL player noted that there were âno liftsâ in their dance and the couple would have to soley rely on performing a âvery technically sound dance.â
Despite their fears, Danny and Witney put their best foot forward and wowed the audience with their energetic dance.
âI have to say the Jive was probably one of the harder ones to get for this challenge so I commend you tremendously for this,â Derek said. âIt was so fun. I canât believe you guys did it in such short amount of time. â
Score: 24/30
Joey and Jenna Find Moves In An Instant
November 12, 2024 09:07 PM EST
Joey and Jenna were first up to perform the instant dance challenge, and ended up drawing the dance he dreaded most â the Rumba to Bille Eilishâs âBirds of a Feather.â
Nervous about his routine, The Bachelor told cameras, âAfter all these great weeks, the thing that could send me home is a dance that I only have five minutes to prep for.â
Despite having only minutes to choreograph the dance, the couple wowed audiences and used every tool in their arsenal.
âYou used every ounce of the music with your body, I thought it was beautiful and lyrical sensual, and the partnership really pulled that through together,â Derek said.
Score: 27/30
Ilona Has Some Pep In Her Step
November 12, 2024 08:58 PM EST
While sharing her disappointment in the scores she received last episode, Ilona told her partner Alan that sheâd like to recreate Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnoldâs Quickstep from season 25 to âChuck Berryâ by Pharrell Williams.
The duo admitted that the dance would be hard to live up to, but the Olympian was more than ready to prove herself.
âIâm going to show the judges,â she told cameras. âWeâre done being in the bottom. Everyoneâs gotten to 10 this season, so itâs about time I get one too.â
When it came down to hit the dance floor, the couple flew across the dance floor and dazzled the crowd with their fancy footwork and lively moves.
âEverything was great!â Carrie Ann gushed, noting Ilonaâs âbeautifulâ lines and clean moves.
Score: 28/30
Chandler Is Smooth Like Silk
November 12, 2024 08:50 PM EST
Chandler and her partner Brandon Armstrong reimagined Derek and Kellie Picklerâs season 16 Argentine Tango to âPara Teâ by Appart.
âItâs a big risk,â the actress told cameras of recreating Derekâs dance in front of him. âBut I am so determined to go out there, kill it and leave it all on the floor.â
The couple wowed judges and audience members alike with their sharp but smooth movements. Chandler showed her dancing prowess when she performed a split on the dance floor.
When it was time to receive the judgesâ feedback, Derek acknowledged how recreating a dance inevitably leads to comparison but admitted, âI have to say, though, for me, I prefer this one.â
âYou are maybe the most powerful dancer, female dancer that Iâve ever seen on this dance floor,â Carrie Ann agreed. âIâm so grateful for you for showing us this because the world needs powerful women in their strength.â
The duo made season history by getting the first perfect score!
Score: 30/30
Stephen Turns On The Water Works
November 12, 2024 08:41 PM EST
In rehearsal footage, Stephen told Rylee he wanted to perform a Viennese Waltz, inspired by Charli DâAmelio and Mark Ballasâ performance in season 31, to âGlimpse of Usâ by Joji.
âThose are big shoes to fill. So Iâm adding a lot of complicated choreography, and I have the perfect person to come help,â Rylee said before Mark entered the room to give the duo some pointers.
After a grueling session, the Olympian said he was âpumpedâ and ready to nab more 10s from the judges.
The coupleâs performance was nothing short of beautiful and there wasnât a single dry eye left in the audience.
âI never lost track of just watching this beautiful celebration,â Carrie Ann said as Rylee teared up at the feedback. âThank you so much for that. The world needed that at this moment.â
Score: 29/30
Dwight Howard Is In His Zone
November 12, 2024 08:33 PM EST
Dwight and his partner Daniella chose to reimagine James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgessâ season 23 Argentine Tango to âSanta Maria (Del Buen Ayre)â by Gotan Project.
The NBA pro was in the driverâs seat as Daniella pointed out how he needed to be strong in leading the dance.
âThis is the hardest week so far because of the amount of steps Iâve had to learn,â he told cameras in rehearsal. âAs long as I stay focused, I just know great scores will follow.â
The duo proved they were a force to be reckoned with when they delivered a spicy performance filled with impossible lifts and intricate movements.
âDwight, listen, that takes a lot of strength, a lot of trust in your partner to do what you did there,â Derek said of their dance. âThat was captivating.â
Score: 26/30
Danny Amendola Is Light on His Feet!
November 12, 2024 08:24 PM EST
Danny and his partner Witney chose to honor Helio Castroneves and Julianne Houghâs season 5 Quickstep performance to âHey Pachucoâ by Royal Crown Revue.
In the rehearsal footage that played before their performance, the Superbowl champ told cameras that he was implementing his âfootball quick feetâ and shared his plans to take things âup a levelâ this week.
During their actual performance, Danny showed America just how quick his feet could be when he nailed the Quick step and delivered a lively performance.
âIt was bubbly, refreshing, and it put a smile on my face. I love the way you reimagined that dance,â Derek gushed before giving the duo constructive criticism about Dannyâs framing.
Score: 27/30
Joey Taps Into His Emotions
November 12, 2024 08:15 PM EST
While reflecting on the âspecialâ legacy of the show, Joey chose to honor Riker Lynch and Allison Holkerâs season 20 Contemporary performance to âWork Songâ by Hozier.
âI really want this to be like a love letter to that bond that weâve created. We like need to see each other,â his partner Jenna Johnson said before Joey agreed, saying, âThis is going to be our most connected dance yet.â
When the couple hit the dance floor, they performed gravity-defying lifts and swept across the ballroom with their graceful moves.
âIâve seen this dance in person before, the previous version of it, and I think you did a beautiful job,â Carrie Ann Inaba said before adding, âI liked your interpretation of it, but I thought it lacked a bit of rawness.â
Score: 28/30
DWTS Is Crazy In Love!
November 12, 2024 08:06 PM EST
The pro dancers kicked off this weekâs episode with a high-energy performance to BeyoncĂ©âs âCrazy In Loveâ in honor of the first dance the pros performed back in 2005.
Choreographed by Daniella Kargach and Pasha Paskov, the current dancers were joined by various DWTS alums including Sharna Burgess, Derek Hough and Julianne Hough.
Last Girlies Left Standing
November 12, 2024 07:58 PM EST
Ahead of this weekâs episode, Ilona Maher and Chandler Kinney poked fun at being the last remaining female competitors on the show.
In a joint post shared to Instagram, Chandler could be seen waving to Ilona in a makeup chair while lip-syncing, âHey girl!â to the accompanying audio.
âHey girl, I see you!â Ilona mouthed back as she held up a comb and brushed her hair.
âWhen youâre the only two lady stars left on the show,â the text over the video read and Ilona wrote in the caption, âHoldin it down for the girlies.â
Joey Graziadei Celebrates His Anniversary on DWTS
November 12, 2024 07:58 PM EST
Before hitting the dance floor for the 500th episode, the former Bachelor, 29, celebrated another milestone in his relationship with fiancée Kelsey Anderson.
In a post shared to Instagram ahead of the broadcast, Joey shared a series of photos of the two taken ahead of his performances alongside a touching tribute dedicated to Kelsey.
âHappy One-Year Anniversary to My Everything,â he began. âI still cannot believe that it has been a year since I got down on one knee and asked you to marry me. This is another appreciation post for everything you do.â
The former tennis player thanked her for âthe laughs, the love, the support, the joy and the excitement.â
âEvery day with you is an adventure and I cannot wait to see all of the memories we get to create in the years to come,â Joey continued. âI know sitting and anxiously watching me dance on live TV probably wasnât how you thought weâd spend our first anniversary, but I canât tell you enough how much I appreciate your support.â
âI couldnât do this without you, so thank you for always being my biggest fan through this amazing experience. I love you forever â€ïž,â he concluded.
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