1 Contestant Exits the Ballroom<\/p>\n
6 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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In no particular order, Julianne and Alfonso announced that Alix and Val, Dylan and Daniella, Robert and Witney, Jordan and Ezra, Elaine and Alan were safe.\n<\/p>\n
Next, they revealed that Danielle and Pasha were being sent home, leaving Andy and Emma and Whitney and Mark safe for another week.\n<\/p>\n
Danielle said the experience has “meant everything.” She said it’s “truly been life changing and every single moment, including this one, has been joyous.”\n<\/p>\n
Pasha told Danielle she’s his “friend for life.”\n<\/p>\n
Team Kool Scored Short<\/p>\n
20 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Team Kool (who performed to Kool & the Gang’s live performance of “Celebration), practiced with pro Jenna Johnson filling in for Elaine while she recovered from her injury.\n<\/p>\n
Julianne said her teaching instincts “kicked in” to get her team members in shape.\n<\/p>\n
They took to the floor in school uniforms, incorporating some disco moves with acrobatics.\n<\/p>\n
Bruno said the performance was “so much fun” and it celebrated friendship. Carrie Ann said it was “fun” but started getting booed by the crowd as she tried to critique them.\n<\/p>\n
Derek said he loved the “energy” of the group, while Flavor Flav said team Kool was cooler than “ice cubes.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann and Bruno rewarded them 9s, while Derek and Flavor Flav gave 10s.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 38\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Team Chicago Earned a Perfect Score<\/p>\n
30 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Dancing to Team Chicago’s performance to “25 or 6 to 4” (from the band by the same name!) the group coordinated in black suits and dark shades as they perfected their sharp dance styles.\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav called team Chicago the “bomb diggity” while Bruno said it was like watching a “Quentin Tarantino movie. It was so cool.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said it was “so tight, so clean.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek applauded Jordan’s acrobatics and called out the “Carlton” moves from Alfonso.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann, Derek, Flavor Flav and Bruno all rewarded them 10s.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 40\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Team Dance Competitions Began with a Bang<\/p>\n
30 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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After the first round of dances, Whitney and Mark, and Alix and Val were at the top of the leaderboard. Alfonso explained that since Whitney and Mark had “the highest total accumulative of judges’ points across the season,” they won immunity from next week’s relay dances, plus two bonus points towards next week’s score, if they make it past this week.\n<\/p>\n
During the team dance competition, the contestants had to dance without their partner for the majority of the time, and instead, dance with Alfonso and Julianne.\n<\/p>\n
The teams were split into two groups: Jordan, Danielle, Whitney and Dylan, versus, Andy, Alix, Elaine and Robert.\n<\/p>\n
Each group worked together all week to practice. At one point, Alfonso taught his group how to do the classic Carlton dance from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.\n<\/p>\n
Robert’s Hardest Week of Practice Paid Off<\/p>\n
50 minutes ago<\/p>\n
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Robert said receiving his first 10s last week has given him a “boost of confidence.” But as the third couple to dance the Paso Doble this week, Witney told him he needs to bring his confidence to the routine.\n<\/p>\n
Robert said getting his footwork and “shaping” to mesh was his hardest challenge yet. In the ballroom, they had a red hot performance set to \u201cIcky Thump\u201d by The White Stripes.\n<\/p>\n
Derek called Robert a “matador,” saying he “owned his arena.” He called out his techniques while saying there was one hiccup but overall, it was “fantastic.”\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav called him “the brand new Fred Astaire.” He said, I loved the performance. You guys are absolutely amazing.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno said the “thunder from the down under was unleashed!” He loved their theatrical performance and thanked Robert for giving the dance the “classic interpretation.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said he has “momentum” to take it all the way to the finish line. She said he had a few “wobbles” but the overall performance was great.\n<\/p>\n
While speaking to Julianne, Robert called this dance the “hardest” week to prepare for, but thanked Witney for her guidance. “That was so much fun!” he said.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann and Derek gave 9s, while Flavor Flav and Bruno gave 10s.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 38\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Jordan Showed Her ‘Wild Side’ as Tina Turner<\/p>\n
1 hr 1 min ago<\/p>\n
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Jordan and Ezra reflected on working with a harness prop last week, and Ezra admitted that he was frustrated with himself because the prop “didn’t pay off. I’m sorry.”\n<\/p>\n
Jordan said she accepted it and still wants him to take her to the next level. This week, they danced a Jazz to \u201cRiver Deep \u2013 Mountain High\u201d by Ike & Tina Turner \u2014 a nod to the compliment Carrie Ann gave her early on in the competition.\n<\/p>\n
Ezra warned that this need to be “very energetic” and she needs to sell it “with her face.”\n<\/p>\n
Jordan admitted she felt a bit “defeated” after last week, but she was determined to show the judges what she’s made of.\n<\/p>\n
She kicked off the routine with backflips across the floor, then did Tina’s iconic moves on top of the judges table to finish the performance with a bang.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann told Jordan she “did not disappoint” in taking on Tina Tuner, saying she was “ballsy” and she took the risk \u2014 which delivered. “She is sick!”\n<\/p>\n
Derek called her the “queen of the ballroom.” “The tricks, the flips were an absolute 10.”\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav said every battlefield she steps on, she “comes out with the win.” He told her he’s giving her “a 55.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno said it was a great acrobatic display and he loved seeing her “wild side.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann and Flavor Flav gave 10s while Derek and Bruno gave 9s.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 38\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Elaine Returned to the Competition After Leaving on a Stretcher Last Week<\/p>\n
1 hr 12 min ago<\/p>\n
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As Elaine returned to the practice room, she told Alan that doctors cleared her, but they don’t know if she tore a muscle or if it’s strained, so she’s “doing everything I can to heal.” She said that includes “not dancing for a couple of days” which is “stressing her out.”\n<\/p>\n
This week, they practiced a Viennese Waltz to \u201cWhat the World Needs Now Is Love\u201d by Dionne Warwick. Elaine said the song resonates with her because of her dedication to raising awareness for animal rescue charities.\n<\/p>\n
Elaine explained she only had four days to prepare, but pain wasn’t going to stop her. She glided onto the ballroom to a flowy choreography.\n<\/p>\n
Bruno said it was “extremely elegant,” adding it was “light, flowy, smooth” saying she looked “like Charlize Theron tonight.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said watching her dance looks “so familiar” and the way she moves is “grounded in love.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek called her “resilient” and said the way she dances is a “breath of fresh air.”\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav was shocked she was on a gurney last week: “You don’t move like you was hurt. Oh my god. You healed up beautiful. That was so amazing.”\n<\/p>\n
Elaine said she received to much love when she spoke to Julianne in the skybox.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann, Derek and Bruno gave 9s, while Flavor Flav rewarded her her first 10.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 37\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Danielle Took Up Space in the Ballroom<\/p>\n
1 hr 23 min ago<\/p>\n
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In rehearsal, Danielle reacted to last week’s comments by Carrie Ann calling her a “tiny little woman” and needing to “use the space” more, by saying she’s “big on the inside.”\n<\/p>\n
This week, Danielle and Pasha danced a Contemporary to \u201cDream On\u201d by Aerosmith. Danielle said the song inspired Danielle to “live out my dreams” because her cancer diagnosis last year showed her you never know when your time is up.\n<\/p>\n
“I’ve remained incredibly positive since my diagnosis and I feel really proud, and I don’t often feel that way,” she said in tears.\n<\/p>\n
Pasha worked on having her “fill out the space more” during practice, and Danielle assured him that she wanted to “leave it all on the dance floor.”\n<\/p>\n
Alfonso told them the “entire ballroom” was feeling their performance.\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav said “it was great, man. I watched the moves.” He was looking for timing and said they were “on point.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno told Danielle “we’re all with you. Life can be a bitch sometimes, but you don’t give up.” He said they had a tiny mix up in the routine, but they should be “proud.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said she would like to apologize if her words last week offended Danielle, and said, “You may be small but you do pack a punch. I do believe in you.” She thanked them for “transporting” her in their performance.\n<\/p>\n
Derek mimicked what Flavor Flav said then added: “You’re someone we all root for. You radiate such positive energy. You glow.” He said that tonight it felt “a little disjointed” but she should feel “proud.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann and Flavor Flav gave 9s, while Derek and Bruno gave 8s.\n<\/p>\n
Scores 34\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Whitney Raised the Bar with Her Paso Doble<\/p>\n
1 hr 35 min ago<\/p>\n
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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 \u201cNo More Tears\u201d by Ozzy Osbourne.\n<\/p>\n
“I want to do it justice” said Whitney of dancing to Ozzy’s song.\n<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
Their dance began with spider web graphics covering the floor as Whitney whipped her skirt around like a matador.\n<\/p>\n
“This ballroom is officially on fire!” Derek screamed. “It rocked, it was classic, it was edgy… That was perfection.”\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav told them the “charisma was great, the moves \u2013 the timing was on point, you hear me? Great, great job. You did a lot that I wish that I could do.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno took off his jacket as he said it was “artistically exquisite.” He added, “You just did it perfectly!”\n<\/p>\n
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.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek, Flavor Flav and Bruno gave them 10s, while Carrie Ann rewarded them a 9.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 39\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Andy Cried Over His Fans’ Support<\/p>\n
1 hr 44 min ago<\/p>\n
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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.\n<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
This week, they practiced to a Contemporary to \u201cGod Only Knows\u201d by The Beach Boys, and during their performance, he executed one of his most graceful routines of the season.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann praised that he “profoundly embraced” every moment of the competition and is showing people what it feels like “to learn to dance.”\n<\/p>\n
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.”\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav told them, “You guys are good.” Adding, “Everything was right on point.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno said the dance had a “childlike honesty” and that’s why Andy’s becoming the “people’s champion.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Anne, Bruno and Derek gave them 7s, while Flavor Flav rewarded them a 9.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 30\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Alix Got a Hype Message from Jon Bon Jovi<\/p>\n
1 hr 54 min ago<\/p>\n
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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.\n<\/p>\n
This week, they planned to perform a Paso Doble to \u201cLivin\u2019 on a Prayer\u201d by Bon Jovi, since it connected to Alix’s New Jersey roots.\n<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
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!”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno called her a “Paso Doble bombshell,” adding, “sexy as hell!” He told Val, “Be careful, she’s almost too hot to handle.”\n<\/p>\n
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!”\n<\/p>\n
Derek channeled his “inner Bruno” exclaiming: “Pure Paso Power! It was amazing!” He called her a “rock and roll goddess.”\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav said their “timing was great” before being shut down with music to usher Alix and Val to the skybox.\n<\/p>\n
All judges gave them a 10, except for Flavor Flav, who gave them a 9.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 39\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Dylan Got His First 10 of the Season<\/p>\n
2 hr 8 min ago<\/p>\n
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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.\n<\/p>\n
As Dylan and Daniella Karagach reflected on how they need to prepare for their Jive to \u201cI\u2019m Still Standing\u201d 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.\n<\/p>\n
Daniella knows “stamina” is the key to a Jive, and Dylan is committed to trying to get “his first 10.”\n<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
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!”\n<\/p>\n
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!”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno critiqued that he “missed a pass,” but his abs were, “absolutely fabulous.”\n<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
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.”\n<\/p>\n
Dylan got his first 10 from Flavor Flav for a total score of 36.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 36\/40\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Flavor Flav Made His Grand Entrance<\/p>\n
2 hr 8 min ago<\/p>\n
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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.\n<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
Elaine Hendrix Is Set to Return After Injury<\/p>\n
2 hr 58 min ago<\/p>\n
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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<\/a>\u00a0for.\n<\/p>\n She told PEOPLE on Oct. 31 that she’s been cleared by doctors and is “taking care of the injuries.”\n<\/p>\n