Dancing With the Stars prepares for its most emotional night, but a lot of the drama already happened behind the scenes with the temporary ouster of pro dancer Val Chmerkovskiy.
It started when judge Carrie Ann Inaba critiqued the performance by Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson, who is Val’s real-life spouse. Carrie Ann chided Johnson for including a lift in the routine, even reading out the show’s official definition of a lift to reinforce her point. Val came to his wife’s defense on social media, commenting, “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” a likely reference to Will Smith slapping Chris Rock in defense of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith at the Oscars. Carrie Ann responded to that, “So this is what we are doing now?”
As a result of the online kerfuffle, Val received a one-week suspension, so his celebrity partner Jenna Dewan will dance with Alan Bersten tonight instead.
Will that hurt Dewan? Bersten has experience subbing in for absent pros, so perhaps it will be a smooth transition. She certainly doesn’t want anything to slow her down after tying for the top of the judges’ leaderboard during last week’s “Super Bowl Night.” She received nines across the board for a total of 36 out of 40. That number was matched by Paralympian Ezra Frech, but no one else has gotten straight nines so far this season.
Read on for our Dancing With the Stars recap to find out who shows the most dedication, and who, if anyone, is eliminated.
Ezra Frech and pro partner Daniella Karagach
Performance: Contemporary to “Bloodline” by Mon Rovia, dedicated to his mom Bahar
Carrie Ann’s comments: “What I loved about this dance … was the momentum that picked up.” He used the momentum of his “physicality” as the dance progressed.
Derek’s comments: “Beautiful” dance, and he thanks Ezra’s mother for raising such an impressive son.
Kym’s comments: “You’ve got us all crying up here. The emotional connection, the physical connection to that dance was so beautiful.”
Bruno’s comments: “So inspiring, life-affirming. Your positive attitude, your strength of character are unique.” And the dancing was “brilliant” with “seamless” lifts.
Scores: Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Kym (10), Bruno (9) = 37 out of 40
Tatyana Ali and pro partner Jan Ravnik
Performance: Viennese Waltz to “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am” by Nancy Wilson, dedicated to Fresh Prince actor James Avery
Carrie Ann’s comments: “Tonight I saw [dance] playing this role … It was like watching an old Hollywood film come to life.”
Derek’s comments: “You’re one of the most improved.” Her “storytelling” and “grace” were “beautiful.”
Kym’s comments: “You have an effortless, easy style.” But the dance could have traveled more “across the floor.”
Bruno’s comments: “You were glowing tonight. It had a wonderful easy flow.” She was “guided by an inner light.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Kym (8), Bruno (8) = 32 out of 40
Maura Higgins and pro partner Mark Ballas
Performance: Paso Doble to “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” by Dropkick Murphys, dedicated to Ireland
Carrie Ann’s comments: “It was amazing. What a great way to represent that way. I loved the attack,” but there was a lift and a shoulder issue.
Derek’s comments: “:That was fantastic. I loved every minute of it, the power, the commitment.”
Kym’s comments: “I felt the love of Ireland in every move that you did.”
Bruno’s comments: “The pride of Ireland unleashed,” but “watch out for the shoulder line.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (9), Kym (9), Bruno (9) = 35 out of 40
Jackson Olson and pro partner Emma Slater
Performance: Quickstep to “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, dedicated to his mom Laura
Carrie Ann’s comments: “Watching your confidence expand … has been incredible.” It had a slow start, but then “took off.”
Derek’s comments: “What a great quickstep in the right direction.” It was a “great performance,” but he didn’t maintain his frame.
Kym’s comments: “You are so entertaining, you’re the ultimate showman,” but again, his frame while in hold wasn’t great.
Bruno’s comments: “You were twinkling with pleasure tonight,” with “vaudevillian” touches. “You were expressing yourself better than ever.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Kym (8), Bruno (8) = 32 out of 40
Amber Glenn and pro partner Pasha Pashkov
Performance: Contemporary to “Breathe Me” by Sia, dedicated to her sister Brooke
Carrie Ann’s comments: “Thank you for tackling such an important topic in this day and age,” and she delivered it with “precision” and “powerful vulnerability.”
Derek’s comments: “To reach out, to seek help … is a beautiful message.”
Kym’s comments: “The raw emotion in that, the athleticism, the vulnerability … what a beautiful way to say thank you to your sister.”
Bruno’s comments: “The way you set the drama with the choreography” was excellent.
Scores: Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Kym (10), Bruno (9) = 38 out of 40
Jenna Dewan and pro partner Alan Bersten
Performance: Viennese Waltz to “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, dedicated to her mom Nancy
Carrie Ann’s comments: “That dance to me was the ultimate breakthrough.”
Derek’s comments: “It was gentle, graceful, gorgeous. You’re just a class act.” Her “joy and love of dance radiate.”
Kym’s comments: “You have had the biggest expectation … and I think you have exceeded every expectation.”
Bruno’s comments: “I love it when you get lyrical.” “You never lose the frame, absolutely on the dot.” “You’re exquisite when you’re lyrical.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Kym (9), Bruno (9) = 37 out of 40
Harry Shum Jr. and pro partner Jenna Johnson
Performance: Foxtrot to “Stop This Train” by John Mayer, dedicated to his wife Shelby
Carrie Ann’s comments: She applauds him for representing Asian-Americans, and Jenna told the story through the foxtrot “wonderfully.”
Derek’s comments: “This is what Dancing With the Stars is all about.” His connection to his wife “took my breath away,” “you made it look easy and effortless.”
Kym’s comments: “Well done, it was just gorgeous.” And while he was a hip-hop dancer in his career, Kym saw a ballroom dancer.
Bruno’s comments: “I knew you had it, and you did it tonight.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Kym (9), Bruno (9) = 36 out of 40
Connor Wood and pro partner Rylee Arnold
Performance: Viennese Waltz to “Piano Man” by Billy Joel, dedicated to his dad Pete
Carrie Ann’s comments: “I feel like this week you are the most improved.”
Derek’s comments: “What a beautiful tribute to him … You have come such a long way. You should be very proud about this dance.”
Kym’s comments: “You’ve got this amazing joyous smile … You traveled around the floor beautifully,” but he needs to “create more space” in hold.
Bruno’s comments: “He listens, he applies what we say, and he gets better.” “That was a proepr, real, well executed Viennese waltz.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Kym (8), Bruno (8) = 32 out of 40
Tyler Cameron and pro partner Sharna Burgess
Performance: Contemporary to “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran, dedicated to mothers
Carrie Ann’s comments: “That inner dancer has come out.” She notices the way he has “opened his expression and his heart.”
Derek’s comments: The last lift “sent me.”
Kym’s comments: “So many emotions right now.” “I could relate to that … I really felt that routine.”
Bruno’s comments: “You turned it into a celebration of a new life.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Kym (8), Bruno (8) = 32 out of 40
Julia Stiles and pro partner Ezra Sosa
Performance: Contemporary to “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli, dedicated to Heath Ledger
Carrie Ann’s comments: “Tonight, watching you makes me want to open my heart … Julia, I’m just proud of you.”
Derek’s comments: “How cool is it to have created something that will last forever,” a combination of “joy” and “emotion”
Kym’s comments: “It was a gorgeous dedication to him. Well done.”
Bruno’s comments: “We love you baby, and it’s more than alright.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Kym (9), Bruno (9) = 36 out of 40
JUDGES’ LEADERBOARD
1. Amber Glenn — 38
2. Jenna Dewan — 37
2. Ezra Frech — 37
4. Harry Shum Jr. — 36
4. Julia Stiles — 36
6. Maura Higgins — 35
7. Tatyana Ali — 32
7. Tyler Cameron — 32
7. Jackson Olson — 32
7. Connor Wood — 32
Results
Safe: Everyone
In Jeopardy: No One
Eliminated: No One
