Dancing with the Stars' Villains Night was wickedly entertaining
by Kim Krober
Although Disney is known for its happily ever afters and gallant heroes, it's also infamous for its dark side. The second night of Dancing with the Stars' Disney Week was a tribute to the three-dimensional animated villains we all love to hate (or secretly sympathize with and root for in some cases). Disney Villains Night celebrated everyone's favorite baddies, from Maleficent to Scar, Jafar, and even the Sanderson Sisters from seasonal favorite Hocus Pocus. It was wickedly entertaining from start to finish ... maybe even better than Heroes Night because who doesn't enjoy watching the villains run amok? Even host Tyra Banks looked resplendent in her Evil Queen ensemble. Seriously, she's never looked better. I've also got chills and they're multiplying for Grease Night next week!
Let's see how your favorites fared on this fourth week of competition for Disney Villains Night:
Jimmie Allen & Emma Slater, Jazz
Jimmie and Emma's Peter Pan-inspired Jazz routine was a mesmerizing way to open Villains Night. Hearing how big of a Disney fan Jimmie is, I was happy he got to play one of the ultimate baddies: Captain Hook. And who could ask for a better Tinker Bell than Emma? Len enjoyed the concept and storytelling, telling Jimmie he surprises him week after week. Derek was impressed by the energy, while Bruno said it was a bad-ass Jazz routine that had him hooked. Carrie Ann noted that Disney is definitely his jam, coming across in both of his amazing dances this week. I would concur.
Total: 35
Cody Rigsby & Cheryl Burke, Viennese Waltz
A Viennese Waltz set to "Gaston" from Beauty & The Beast seemed like an odd choice, but Cody and Cheryl managed to marry the two in a dance straight out of a fairy tale. Derek commended them for having the flair and gusto of Gaston, despite having the least amount of rehearsal time this week. Bruno called him irresistibly dashing and admired the full production value of the performance. Carrie Ann thanked him for the bold, polished moves and animated fun. Len congratulated Cheryl for the choreography, saying it was well done overall. It was enough to garner a trio of 8s and a 7.
Total: 31
Melanie C & Gleb Savchenko, Viennese Waltz
Melanie C and Gleb's Viennese Waltz to "Once Upon a Dream" from Maleficent was dramatic in all the right ways. Bruno called it magnificent and haunting with suspended animation that cast a spell on the ballroom. Carrie Ann proclaimed it her best dance, saying the transformation from sporty to sensual was now complete. Len liked the mood and atmosphere but thought it could have benefited from more Viennese Waltz content. Derek felt it was ominous, forbidding, and gorgeous. It was breathtakingly beautiful from start to finish with an ethereal backdrop straight out of the movie.
Total: 35
JoJo Siwa & Jenna Johnson, Paso Doble
JoJo and Jenna's Paso Doble to Descendants 2's "Ways to Be Wicked" was fun and vibrant, even though I'm not familiar with these characters. Carrie Ann told JoJo she is always a fantastic performer, but she thought the dance felt a bit hectic with old tricks and not enough elegance. On the flip side, Len loved the control and seeing both ends of the dance spectrum represented from her this week. Derek praised the content and how in-sync their side-by-side moves were. Bruno likened it to watching two super villains battling it out for the ultimate supremacy.
Total: 35
Kenya Moore & Brandon Armstrong, Viennese Waltz
Kenya and Brandon's Viennese Waltz to Ariana Grande's "Dangerous Woman" was inspired by the Evil Queen in Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs. Kenya has never looked more regal and in control. Len appreciated the moves in hold, but he thought the technique needed more work. Derek loved the sultry, seductive vibe and wants Kenya to own her fierceness. Bruno said no mirror could do justice to her sassiness and beauty. Carrie Ann was impressed by how centered she remained throughout the dance but had to count off for a lift. However, she called it her best dance to date.
Total: 30
Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach, Argentine Tango
Iman and Daniella's Argentine Tango to "Arabian Nights" from Aladdin was hypnotic and one of their best performances. The way he picked her up with such ease! Derek called the opening and ending lifts iconic, saying they left him speechless. Bruno commended it for being a feat of magical strength, calling it truly impressive. Carrie Ann was completely blown away, calling it poetry in motion and one of the most magical performances ever on the show. Len congratulated them for having their best dance in the competition thus far. Two 9s from the judges ... say what?
Total: 33
Melora Hardin & Artem Chigvintsev, Jazz
Melora and Artem's Jazz routine to "Mother Knows Best" from Tangled once again illustrates why she's one to watch on the ballroom floor. Bruno called it wickedly delicious. Carrie Ann said she's cray cray, but she loved the big, bold performance although it was a hair safe. Len said it had wit and charm and was truly delightful. Derek admired the theatrical performance quality. Melora also sang the song, making her a triple threat in this competition. It was enough to earn the first 10 from Len!
Total: 37
Mike “The Miz” Mizanin & Witney Carson, Argentine Tango
The Miz and Witney's Argentine Tango to "Be Prepared" from The Lion King was really likable, and I admire how willing he is to get into total character with such over-the-top makeup. Carrie Ann thought it was incredible how he channeled all of his energy into his movements. Len liked the lifts, lovely moments of Argentine Tango, and the overall theatrical performance. Derek said it was 10s for his character commitment, although it needed something else to send it over the edge. Bruno praised the content even though they had a few stumbles. The Miz earned his first 9s of the season!
Total: 34
Brian Austin Green & Sharna Burgess, Paso Doble
Brian and Sharna's Paso Doble to "He's a Pirate" from Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl was a breath of fresh air seeing them dance and fight as Barbossa and Jack Sparrow. Len liked the aggression but told Brian he needs to lift his diaphragm more, saying it would give him more of an air of confidence and a more dynamic performance. Derek praised the choreography and Brian for being able to stay focused during all the explosions. Bruno thought the tough love from Sharna and the judges is working, noting some improvements this week. Carrie Ann appreciated the valiant effort, saying he's in it to win it. Then why do they continue to give him 7s?
Total: 27
Matt James & Lindsay Arnold, Paso Doble
Matt and Lindsay's Jungle Book-inspired Paso Doble was fun and full of attack, even if their costumes were not the most recognizable of the evening. Derek loved seeing how into it Matt was, though he could benefit from longer strides to match his height. Bruno called it a solid performance with great content. Carrie Ann said she could tell he gave it his all, leaving nothing behind on the ballroom floor. Len said it had posture, passion, and performance but feels he could give so much more of all three.
Total: 31
Olivia Jade & Val Chmerkovskiy, Jazz
I loved Olivia and Val's Jazz routine to Coco's "Remember Me (Ernesto de la Cruz)" and their adorable costumes. Bruno went a little coco-loco, saying she captured the spirit of the movie perfectly. Carrie Ann was impressed by the acting but thought it felt safe. Len said it was a joyous performance, while Derek called her a natural-born performer. It was enough to earn triple 9s.
Total: 35
Suni Lee & Sasha Farber, Viennese Waltz
Suni and Sasha's Viennese Waltz to "I Put a Spell on You" was among my favorites of the night, mostly because it paid tribute to Hocus Pocus. I also loved their costumes and choreography! Carrie Ann said Suni's energy and articulation are finally matching her technique. Len didn't like the standing spin but told Sasha he wants to see the couple more in hold next week. Derek loved seeing Sasha run off like a cat and Suni's beautiful performance. Bruno called it bewitching and said the spell is working for her. She just needs to come out of her shell and let Sasha show her fun side.
Total: 35
Amanda Kloots & Alan Bersten, Paso Doble
Amanda and Alan's Paso Doble to Cruella's "Call Me Cruella" was the perfect way to end the night. Len said it had a feeling of menace but it was a lovely interpretation of the music. Derek complimented her for playing the part to perfection in a phenomenal Paso Doble. Bruno called it devilishly stylish with a hint of aggression although it had a slight misstep. Carrie Ann felt it was masterful and divine. She received four 9s from the judges, cementing her position as one to beat.
Total: 36
Elimination
After two fun and fancy-free evenings of Disney magic, it was heartbreaking to see anyone go home and fall short of realizing their dream. I wasn't expecting it to be a double elimination though! It came down to Brian and Sharna, Matt and Lindsay, and Kenya and Brandon in the bottom three. Brian and Sharna were sent home automatically because Tyra revealed they had the lowest combined total of viewers' votes and judges' scores. Bruno and Carrie Ann then voted to save Matt and Lindsay, while Derek voted to save Kenya and Brandon. As head judge, Len made the final decision, giving Kenya and Brandon one more chance to redeem themselves and saying farewell to Matt and Lindsay. I was sadder to see Brian and Sharna go - I enjoyed watching their love story unfold on the ballroom floor.
Do you think the right contestants went home? Keep voting for your favorites!
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