Whitney Ups the Ante with Her Paso Doble
3 minutes ago
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Whitney said she felt “really proud” after winning the dance marathon last week. But during practice, Whitney and Mark focused their efforts on the Paso Doble to “No More Tears” by Ozzy Osbourne.
“I want to do it justice” said Whitney of dancing to Ozzy’s song.
Mark said he wanted to include a lot of traditional techniques to amp up their Paso Doble from the others in the competition who are also dancing this style.
Their dance began with spider web graphics covering the floor as Whitney whipped her skirt around like a matador.
“This ballroom is officially on fire!” Derek screamed. “It rocked, it was classic, it was edgy… That was perfection.”
Flavor Flav told them the “charisma was great, the moves – the timing was on point, you hear me? Great, great job. You did a lot that I wish that I could do.”
Bruno took off his jacket as he said it was “artistically exquisite.” He added, “You just did it perfectly!”
Carrie Ann called their dance: “game on for today.” She had one critique though, saying Whitney had “a few stumbles” because she was dancing with such “intensity.”
Derek, Flavor Flav and Bruno gave them 10s, while Carrie Ann rewarded them a 9.
Score: 39/40
Andy Cries Over His Fans’ Support
12 minutes ago
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Andy got his highest scores of the season last week, but that still left him at the bottom of the leaderboard. “I have to keep getting better,” he said during practice.
When Emma warned him he needs to be serious, Andy got emotional assuring her that he will. He choked up recalling the videos he saw of fans throwing him virtual birthday parties the week prior, which coincided with his 59th birthday. “I can’t imagine a better birthday. It just feels like I’m being held up and carried. It makes me want to do this,” he said, while crying.
This week, they practiced to a Contemporary to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys, and during their performance, he executed one of his most graceful routines of the season.
Carrie Ann praised that he “profoundly embraced” every moment of the competition and is showing people what it feels like “to learn to dance.”
Derek thanked Andy for “embracing” this “process.” He explained dance shows people who they are and also “breaks you open,” to which Andy replied, “absolutely.”
Flavor Flav told them, “You guys are good.” Adding, “Everything was right on point.”
Bruno said the dance had a “childlike honesty” and that’s why Andy’s becoming the “people’s champion.”
Carrie Anne, Bruno and Derek gave them 7s, while Flavor Flav rewarded them a 9.
Score: 30/40
Alix Gets a Hype Message from Jon Bon Jovi
23 minutes ago
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Alix told Val he “really pushed” her last week but it paid off, with their high score of 39, which got them to the top of the leaderboard.
This week, they planned to perform a Paso Doble to “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi, since it connected to Alix’s New Jersey roots.
During practice, Val told the cameras that Alix is “so focused,” he’s confident that they can remain at the top, even as other stars prep for their own Paso Doble this week.
Earlier this week, Alix received a special video message from none other than Jon Bon Jovi himself. “Thank you very much for dancing to “Livin’ on a Prayer,” he said in a recorded clip. “Wishing you all the very best, we’ll be watching!”
Bruno called her a “Paso Doble bombshell,” adding, “sexy as hell!” He told Val, “Be careful, she’s almost too hot to handle.”
Carrie Ann told Alix she’s in her “fierce girl era” and she set the “standard” for the technique of dance. She said Alix wasn’t thrown by her long skirt or heels or long hair: “You were in it to win it!”
Derek channeled his “inner Bruno” exclaiming: “Pure Paso Power! It was amazing!” He called her a “rock and roll goddess.”
Flavor Flav said their “timing was great” before being shut down with music to usher Alix and Val to the skybox.
All judges gave them a 10, except for Flavor Flav, who gave them a 9.
Score: 39/40
Dylan Gets His First 10 of the Season
36 minutes ago
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Dylan said he still has “a little PTSD” from his broken nose the week before, but he knows he needs to be “100% committed” this week.
As Dylan and Daniella Karagach reflected on how they need to prepare for their Jive to “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John, Daniella pointed out to Dylan that judge Bruno Tonioli was in Elton’s music video from 1983. “That’s Bruno?” Dylan asked.
Daniella knows “stamina” is the key to a Jive, and Dylan is committed to trying to get “his first 10.”
They made an electric entrance to the ballroom with Dylan sliding into the center of the floor to start their performance. About halfway through, Dylan showed off his now-classic body roll move.
Carrie Ann moved over to help Flavor Flav before he “locked” his votes. As Alfonso started with the rapper, Flavor Flav started saying, “from the floor to the roof, that dance right there was the proof!”
Bruno said he was “so disappointed” that he didn’t wear his outfit from the music video. “It’s a speedo,” Dylan said, to which Bruno replied, “No one would have looked at your feet!”
Bruno critiqued that he “missed a pass,” but his abs were, “absolutely fabulous.”
Carrie Ann said he had some elements of the Jive, but there were “three” moments that he tripped up. As the audience booed, she then added his journey has been “impressive” on the show.
Derek told him it was “high energy” and a “great way to start the show.” He wanted a bit “more energy” at times, but said it was a “great jive.”
Dylan got his first 10 from Flavor Flav for a total score of 36.
Score: 36/40
Flavor Flav Makes His Grand Entrance
36 minutes ago
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The rapper arrived to the ballroom and told judges Alfonso and Julianne that he’s looking hoping to seeing “smoothness, preciseness” from the contestants tonight. As he hugged judges, the live feed bleeped out a swear word that he appeared to say to Alfonso has he excitedly joined the judges table.
After his intro, Alfonso explained whoever at the top of the leaderboard will win immunity from next week’s relay dances. Plus, they will get bonus points towards next week if they survive elimination.
Elaine Hendrix Is Set to Return After Injury
1 hr 26 min ago
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Elaine is expected to make her return to the ballroom after having to miss last week’s show due to a rib injury she was rushed to the hospital for.
She told PEOPLE on Oct. 31 that she’s been cleared by doctors and is “taking care of the injuries.”
“I’ve made it really clear to Alan that unless it’s just something I absolutely can’t do, we’re not holding back,” she said. “We’ll get the pain managed, and I just want to keep going for it.”
A Rock-Solid Lineup
1 hr 26 min ago
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Alix Earle and partner Val Chmerkovskiy will perform a Paso Doble to “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi.
Robert Irwin and partner Witney Carson will perform a Paso Doble to “Icky Thump” by The White Stripes.
Whitney Leavitt and partner Mark Ballas will perform a Paso Doble to “No More Tears” by Ozzy Osbourne.
Dylan Efron and partner Daniella Karagach will perform a Jive to “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John.
Andy Richter and partner Emma Slater will perform a Contemporary routine to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys.
Elaine Hendrix and partner Alan Bersten will perform a Viennese Waltz to “What the World Needs Now Is Love” by Dionne Warwick.
Danielle Fishel and partner Pasha Pashkov will perform a Contemporary routine to “Dream On” by Aerosmith.
Jordan Chiles and partner Ezra Sosa will perform a Jazz to “River Deep – Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner.
