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Joey Returned to the Ballroom
5 minutes ago
Last year’s champ Joey returned to DTWS to practice with Jenna. “I’ve really missed this,” said Jenna.
“I just want to go out there and shine,” Joey said.
They performed to “Tanguera” by Fabio Hager Sexteto.
Dylan Made the Ballroom Cry
10 minutes ago
Dylan cried while practicing the final dance with Daniella. He explained he wasn’t happy with himself with the first few weeks of the competition. “Making this finale I feel proud of myself now.”
Daniella said he was the first star she worked with that devoted himself to the show.
“My whole life, I’ve watched my brother perform. I never wanted to be in the spotlight and the fact that I can step on stage and capture people’s attention gives me chills. I finally feel like I belong here,” said Dylan. “This is the final chance for me to prove I deserve that Mirrorball.”
Their Freestyle to “Black & Gold” by Sam Sparro and “The Nights” by Avicii started with lifts from backup dancers.
Bruno praised the dance calling it “beautiful, poetic” and said they really captured the “elusive quality of a dream.”
Carrie Ann said the “emotionally was beyond.” And said this dance was the perfect representation of what the competition is all about.
When Derek watched Dylan dance he said he has a “kind masculinity.”
“You are such a good man,” praise Derek. “I’m speechless, well done.”
Julianne said everyone in the skybox was crying watching Dylan’s final dance. She remembered him dancing to “Milkshake” at the beginning. “Now you’re making us cry!” said Julianne.
They earned a perfect score from the judges.
Score: 30
Alix Ended the Night with All 10s
24 minutes ago
Alix said she was scared of her own shadow when she first arrived to the show. She praised Val for working with her. “Dancing with the Stars has unlocked this new side of me,” said Alix.
Alix said she’s showing her “most expressive, dominant self” in the Freestyle routine. “We are going out with a bang.”
They performed to “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado and “Sports car” by Tate McRae and started by dropping off of an elevated platform on the floor.
“Alix, you are an absolute superstar, that felt like a tango-fusion-arena tour performance,” said Derek. “You’re a superstar, really.” He said she’s built her confidence every week and said it was “phenomenal.”
Bruno said it was “dominatrix unleashed!” “You were like a she-wolf, leader of the pack. Nothing can stand in your way!”
“I’m just really touched by you,” said Carrie Ann. “You deliver the most exquisite dancing every time. I think you are fabulous and I want to see what you do next!”
Alix told Julianne this show changed her confidence. “That was so special and so fun,” said Alix. “A dream performance.”
Score: 30
Jordan Embraced the Instant Dance Round
35 minutes ago
Jordan had confidence during practice, explaining that she can learn routines quickly thanks to her gymnastics background.
They had to perform the Tango to “I Like It” by Alesso, Nate Smith, and Sentinel.
“What you just performed was just fantastic,” said Carrie Ann. “You’re spotting was amazing, I applaud you. I have so much respect for you.”
“There’s not much to say besides I couldn’t have thought of a better dance for you in that challenge,” said Derek. “Great job.”
“Fa-bu-lous,” said Bruno.
“It was really cool, I enjoyed it. I’ll do it again,” Jordan told Julianne of the Instant round. Ezra said he was more nervous than Jordan for this round and praised her Olympic mindset for her focus.
After getting perfect scores, Jordan warned the crowd they should be ready for their freestyle routine coming up.
Score: 30
Robert Took on His Biggest Challenge with the Cha Cha
43 minutes ago
During practice, Robert said the one dance he doesn’t want to select for the Instant dance is the Cha Cha. As luck had it, during the finale, they got the Cha Cha to “Cake by the Ocean” by DNCE.
“So much cleaner, your placement, you were on fire,” said Bruno.
“Everything that Bruno said I agree with,” said Carrie Ann. She also praised the partnership between Robert and Witney.
Derek said he was nervous for them for the Cha Cha but praised Robert’s hip rotation. “It was so incredibly impressive. That dance is so hard and you did fantastic. Well done.”
“The ribs are sore, especially after those Cha Cha moves,” Robert said after while speaking with Julianne. “But you know, I catch crocodiles and a crocodile has never messed up my ribs like that. Dancing is hard.”
Despite not wanting to do a Cha Cha, he came out on top with perfect scores.
Score: 30
Elaine Is Deemed the Queen of the Quickstep
55 minutes ago
“This challenge was not made for someone like me,” Elaine told Alan while practicing the Instant round. She drew a Quickstep to “You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes.
“The Quickstep Queen,” said Derek after their dance. He called out one of her missteps, but said she was “sensational.”
Bruno compared Elaine to Ginger Rogers but said there were “quite a few foot faults.” He said she did “very well” in spite of the challenge though.
Carrie Ann said that Elaine had a “few minor things” but she carried herself well throughout the dance.
Score: 27/30
Dylan Earned the Highest Praise from Derek for His Foxtrot
1 hr 2 min ago
Dylan and Daniella drew a Foxtrot to “Ordinary” by Alex Warren for the Instant round.
“That was unbelievable,” said Carrie Ann. “I don’t even think you know how amazing that was. You brought me to tears!” She told him you were “leading like a leading man!”
“What was I looked at?” exclaimed Derek. “I’m just gonna say that for me was one of the best Foxtrots from a man, ever!”
“Where is this coming from?” said Bruno. “Len would have adored it, by the way.” Bruno praised Dylan’s glide and said he used his heels and controlled his movements throughout the dance.
Dylan said he didn’t want to draw the Foxtrot while talking to Julianne, but it paid off in the end — he got a perfect score from the judges.
Score: 30
Alix Cha Cha’ed to the Top of the Leaderboard
1 hr 10 min ago
During the Instant Dance round, Alix and Val got a Cha Cha set to “Where Is My Husband” by Raye.
“The transformation is incredible,” Bruno said.
Carrie Ann said she was “blown away” and said it was “show-stopping.”
“It’s really cool to see this,” said Derek, saying that it shows what she learned all season. “Fringe pants are always a good choice!”
“Was everything perfect? No. But it was fun,” Alix told Julianne.
They got another perfect score tonight with all 10s.
Score: 30
Jordan’s Strength Came Out
1 hr 18 min ago
As Jordan and Ezra looked back on their time on the show, they were happy that they ended with a perfect score last week.
Carrie Ann paid them a visit and announced that she wanted them to dance the Paso Doble because Jordan’s “fierce.” The judge gave her tips as she showed them some moves — including a cartwheel — in the practice room.
Jordan and Ezra danced to “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna with a precise choreography that showed off that fierce side.
Carrie Ann said Jordan attacked the dance too much in the beginning was was “too strong.” The audience started booing and Carrie Ann yelled “What?”
Derek called it “clean and precise” and congratulated Ezra on his first finale.
“I thought it was a kick-ass Paso Doble,” said Bruno. “The queen of the Amazon, you just go for it. So much determination. You’re great.”
Jordan praised Carrie Ann while in the skybox. “You made me feel so much better about myself,” Jordan told her.
Score: 29/30
Blast from the Past
1 hr 18 min ago
Andy, Danielle and Whitney all returned to the ballroom with their pros for a high-energy choreography to “I Don’t Dance” by Alexander Jean.
Robert Pushed Through the Pain
1 hr 18 min ago
As Robert and Witney were practicing, they were surprised by Derek for the Judges Choice round. Derek started by praising Robert’s late dad, Steve Irwin, for teaching him “so much.” He said Robert’s been passing down his father’s torch.
Derek told them he wants them to dance a Quickstep to “show us a beautiful, wide frame.”
“I’ve been dealing with rib pain,” said Robert during practice, adding that it was his intercostal muscles that were causing him discomfort. “It’s been getting worse progressively.”
Witney said she’s “extremely worried about Robert.” A medic paused practice to care for him and advised them to rework their choreography. “If I push any hard, my body’s gonna break,” said Robert.
They began dancing to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet and were all smiles as they skipped around the ballroom floor.
Derek called him “a Quick Step King,” and said his frame was strong. “It was fantastic.”
“He had the acceleration of a cheetah,” said Bruno, “the footwork, nimble, light, like a gazelle and the power of a lion. You’ve got it!”
Carrie Ann started getting booed as she began to say a critic. Before she could finish, the boos grew and she pointed out that they have two more rounds of competition.
Score: 29/30
A Little Applause for the Former Contestants
1 hr 42 min ago
Lauren, Hilaria, Scott and Jen all returned to the floor with their partners for a performance to “Applause” by Lady Gaga, before the show recapped the second half of the season.
Elaine Took the Judges Breath Away
1 hr 45 min ago
During practice, Elaine and Alan said Disney night changed things for them in the season, as they reflected on how far they’ve come.
Derek joined them in the practice room and chose the Rumba for Elaine and Alan’s first dance of the night. He said he wanted them to make this “slow dance” something “exciting.” Elaine said she was giving it her all to make Derek proud.
The two took to a smokey ballroom to perform a sensual choreography to “Take My Breath Away” by Jae Hall.
“That was exquisite, it truly was,” said Derek. He called out the turns, her beautiful arms, and praised Alan for guiding her.
“Pure class,” said Bruno. “Perfect combination of sensuality and elegance.”
Carrie Ann said she had been “waiting and waiting for you to do a dance like that.” She thanked Alan for the choreography and praised Elaine’s technique “between” the moves that impressed her.
They scored the second perfect score of the night with all 10s.
Score: 30
Dylan Turned Up the Heat in the Ballroom
1 hr 53 min ago
“I truly didn’t think we’d make it here,” sad Dylan, as he and Daniella reflected on their journey. He said dancing with his sister was his breakthrough moment of the season.
Last week, they were at the bottom of the leaderboard, but Daniella was excited that they had Bruno choosing their first dance of the evening to get Dylan “out of his shell.” Bruno wanted him to be the “ultimate leading man” with the Paso Doble. “I want to see total domination of the arena,” said Bruno.
They began the routine with Daniella ripping Dylan’s shirt off as they danced to “Stampede” by Alexander Jean featuring Lindsey Stirling.
“Hey Dylan, I have your jacket but nobody wants to see that,” said Alfonso. The host then interrupted the show to say happy birthday to Bruno, who is celebrating his 70th.
“Let’s be real, that torso, Michelangelo himself could not have sculpted a better shape,” Bruno said. “Actually I’m speechless.” He praised the dance saying he could watch that all over again.
Carrie Ann commended Dylan on how far he’s come, but said his hands “got a little flat” at times. “There’s plenty of time, but still, fantastic.”
Derek called his improvement “remarkable” but agreed with Carrie Ann that his shaping could have been “more” before praising Daniella’s work with Dylan.
Before the scores were given, the first contestants voted out, Baron and Corey, did a short routine with their pros.
Score: 28/30
Alix Set the Bar High with All 10s
2 hr 6 min ago
Alix and Val reflected on their journey while practicing for the final week and decided that they haven’t peaked yet. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba joined them in rehearsal and revealed that she wanted them to dance a Samba for the Judges Choice round, because it’s “sensual and celebratory.”
The judge shared some tips with Alix — including “sharper arms” — as the pair practiced their routine to “Hip Hip Chin Chin” by Club des Belugas.
After their high-energy routine, Carrie Ann praised their performance and said that Alix created her own style throughout the competition. “It was just brilliant, you performed the heck out of it girl.”
Derek said whatever Carrie Ann told Alix, “it worked.” He said a Samba is the hardest to dance on the show, as he gave a shoutout to Val for “bringing the best out of [Alix].”
“It’s gonna be a hot night!” Bruno exclaimed. “You were incandescent,” he added, calling her “an absolute star.”
They earned the first perfect score of the night with all 10s.
Score: 30
Off to the Races
2 hr 14 min ago
The opening choreography kicked off with the troupe dancers introducing all of the eliminated contestants including Whitney Leavitt, Corey Feldman, Baron Davis, Lauren Jauregui, Hilaria Baldwin, Scott Hoying, Danielle Fishel, Jen Affleck and Andy Richter. Then, the remaining stars all appeared in coordinating pink looks.
As co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough took to the ballroom floor, they explained voting rules and what viewers can expect for the big night.
Robert Irwin Nursed an Injury
2 hr 50 min ago
In a TikTok video posted Monday, Nov. 24, Witney said Robert’s “ribs have been killing him” and that “more will be revealed on Tuesday.”
“You guys can get a better idea of what we’ve been dealing with all week on Tuesday,” she said. “I do have to change some things that involve the other dancers and involve the other guys. So, it’s just honestly the most stressful part.”
Despite his pain, Witney said Robert is “going to want to rehearse until the very last second.”
“This entire season just feels like the biggest gift,” she said. “I’m just so thankful.”
The Final Lineup
2 hr 50 min ago
Judges’ Choice Round:
Alix Earle and partner Val Chmerkovskiy will perform a Samba to “Hip Hip Chin Chin” by Club des Belugas.
Robert Irwin and partner Witney Carson will perform a Quickstep to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet.
Dylan Efron and partner Daniella Karagach will perform a Paso Doble to “Stampede” by Alexander Jean featuring Lindsey Stirling.
Elaine Hendrix and partner Alan Bersten will perform a Rumba to “Take My Breath Away” by Jae Hall.
Jordan Chiles and partner Ezra Sosa will perform a Paso Doble to “Breakin’ Dishes” by Rihanna.
Freestyle Round:
Alix and Val will perform a Freestyle to “Maneater” by Nelly Furtado and “Sports car” by Tate McRae.
Robert and Witney will perform a Freestyle to “Black & Gold” by Sam Sparro and “The Nights” by Avicii.
Dylan and Daniella will perform a Freestyle to “Something In The Heavens” by Lewis Capaldi.
Elaine and Alan will perform a Freestyle to “I Hope I Get It (from A Chorus Line)” by District 78.
Jordan and Ezra will perform a Freestyle to “Motivation” by Normani.
