DWTS' Six Semi-Finalists Faced a Heartbreaking Double Elimination
by Kim Krober
It's hard to believe it, but we've reached the Semi-Finals of this season of Dancing with the Stars. The remaining six couples were tasked with learning a new dance and revising a dance they didn't excel at previously in the Redemption Round. With the promise of a heartbreaking double elimination, it was a good week to pull out all the stops. Many of the couples had saved the best for last. Contemporary routines almost always guarantee high judges' scores and sympathetic viewers' votes as they pour out their heart and soul on the dance floor. The ones who had already played their Contemporary card early still had some of the best surprises saved for last, including the Jive, Jazz, and Viennese Waltz. Unsurprisingly, most of the redemption dances were Latin dances, as those are among the most difficult for competitors to nail because they often take people so outside of their comfort zones.
Let's take a look at how your favorites did on this tenth week of competition:
Redemption Round
Skai Jackson & Alan Bersten, Cha Cha
Bruno asked Skai and Alan for a redemption Cha Cha set to "Move Your Feet" by Junior Senior. It was a good opening to the Redemption Round, setting a funky spirit for the evening. Bruno looked like he was going to bust a gut, calling it 24-karat hip action with sharp, precise movements. Carrie Ann called it amazing, crisp, and on point. Derek thought it was relaxed and he admired her gold dress, citing it as his favorite costume this season.
Score: 27
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Justina Machado & Sasha Farber, Tango
Justina and Sasha were tasked by Derek with a redemption Tango to "El Tango de Roxanne" from the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Derek loved the steamy intro, the attack, the exquisite framing, and the passion. Bruno said she was on top of it with a total change of direction from her last Tango. Carrie Ann said she was on fire with oozing sensuality. Derek awarded her her first 10 of the season for her redemption Tango!
Score: 28
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Johnny Weir & Britt Stewart, Salsa
Carrie Ann called upon a redemption Salsa from Johnny and Britt. Set to "X" by The Jonas Brothers, it was full of sass and sequins. Carrie Ann felt it was stronger and more in control, although she noticed a couple of missteps when they were side-by-side. Derek admired the toughness and intricacy of the routine and the fact that Johnny was wearing Cuban heels. Bruno could tell he worked hard to maintain the rhythmical fluidity of the Salsa this time.
Score: 27
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Nelly & Daniella Karagach, Paso Doble
Nelly and Daniella's redemption Paso Doble to Woodkid's "Run Boy Run" was chosen by Bruno. Nelly looked large and in charge. Bruno complimented the artistry, shapes, and restrained power of his movements. Carrie Ann loved seeing him dance with a regality and tight control of his body, but she thought it was still a little flat-footed. Derek said his focus was captivating and thanked him for the reminder that he needs to hit the gym ASAP.
Score: 26
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Nev Schulman & Jenna Johnson, Foxtrot
Derek asked Nev and Jenna for a redemption Foxtrot to Harry Styles' "Sign of the Times." Derek loved the classic purity of this Foxtrot. Bruno called him a class act, saying he never lost control of his bum. Carrie Ann thought it was perfection from the first heel lead, saying Nev has become a true ballroom artist and master of the dance.
Score: 30
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Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev, Paso Doble
Carrie Ann tasked Kaitlyn and Artem to redeem their Paso Doble to "Hanuman" by Rodrigo Y Gabriela. I didn't want to like her, but she has been winning me over the past few weeks. Carrie Ann loved the passion and nuance of the dance. Derek admired the attack and character. Bruno called her the beautiful temptress and praised the 100% Paso Doble content and choreography from Artem.
Score: 30
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New Dances
Justina Machado & Sasha Farber, Contemporary
Justina and Sasha's Contemporary to Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out for a Hero" was soft and sensual. Derek said the emotions of the season coming to a close were starting to get to him, as he praised her smile and dance. Bruno likened it to watching a child run free, saying it had a pureness of heart about it. Carrie Ann called it magic on the dance floor, commending it for being authentic and beautiful. Was that her first perfect score of the season?!
Score: 30
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Skai Jackson & Alan Bersten, Viennese Waltz
Skai and Alan's Viennese Waltz to "Lonely" by Noah Cyrus showed a sophisticated, mature side of her personality. Bruno was enchanted with the storytelling, elegance, and poise, likening it to a cover of En Vogue. Carrie Ann called her an exceptional young woman full of grace and thanked her for expressing her vulnerability. Derek felt it was beautiful and full of emotion, which made it easy for others to connect with her. It was another perfect score!
Score: 30
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Johnny Weir & Britt Stewart, Jazz
Johnny and Britt's Jazz routine to OneRepublic's "I Lived" was like watching him skate on bare feet, and I loved it. Carrie Ann could tell he felt like he was on Cloud 9, saying it had a feeling of hope from start to end. Derek thought it was a beautiful routine and a perfect representation of their genuine partnership. Bruno called it clean, clear, and pure with inspiring dynamics. My heart soared to see Johnny get a perfect score for his final dance of the night.
Score: 30
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Nev Schulman & Jenna Johnson, Contemporary
Nev and Jenna's Contemporary to "If the World Was Ending" by JP Saxe and Julia Michaels felt like what many have been feeling throughout 2020. It was powerful and pure, down to the snowy white costumes. Derek said he forgot to judge because he was so captivated by the fluidity, creativity, and choreography. Bruno was also totally engrossed, teasing Nev that he has to have done this before because nobody can be that good while being an amateur. Carrie Ann complimented Jenna for the complexity of the choreography and Nev for rising to the challenge with a smile. Contemporary is Jenna's strongest style, and it shows. Unsurprisingly, it was another perfect score for this couple!
Score: 30
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Nelly & Daniella Karagach, Jive
The pressure was starting to visibly break Nelly during his rehearsal package. However, you couldn't tell when they took to the dance floor for their Jive to The Brian Setzer Orchestra's "Jump Jive an' Wail." He looked like he was in his element - I enjoyed seeing this playful, almost nerdy side of him! Nelly got a standing ovation from the judges. Bruno said he nailed it, praising it for being miraculous (I think all of America was incredulous to see Nelly move like that). Carrie Ann called it his breakthrough performance with a skyrocketing momentum. Derek said it went beyond his high-octane energy, citing the drama this week as being the necessary fuel for his fire.
Score: 30
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Kaitlyn Bristowe & Artem Chigvintsev, Contemporary
Kaitlyn and Artem's Contemporary to "Cowboy Take Me Away" by The Chicks was the perfect ending to the night. The dance was dedicated to the death of one of Kaitlyn's closest childhood friends who was tragically taken too soon. I loved their energy and costumes. Carrie Ann said it was an incredible night and told Kaitlyn that her friend was smiling down at her because they came together as a beautiful team. Derek admired seeing their storytelling through such special movements. Bruno called it powerful and fantastic, also giving a shout-out to the crew behind the scenes for making the show come together week after week this season.
Score: 30
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It's never easy to say goodbye to anyone on this program, but especially with the finale so close in sight. The couple with the lowest combined judges' scores and viewers' votes facing automatic elimination was Johnny and Britt. WHAT?! It was then revealed that Skai & Alan and Justina & Sasha were both in jeopardy of elimination. The judges unanimously voted to save Justina & Sasha, sending Skai & Alan home with only one week left in the competition. Do you think America and the judges made good decisions? Are your favorites headed to the finale? Were you as heartbroken as I was to see Johnny go home short of the gold?
Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8:00 PM on ABC.
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