It was a night filled with high stakes and dazzling performances on “Dancing With the Stars,” where the electric atmosphere of the ballroom competed with the excitement of Game 4 of the World Series. With one win standing between teams and the championship, fans found themselves torn between the two thrilling spectacles. Thankfully, multiple screens and the charm of Freddie Freeman kept spirits high, while ABC’s censors made sure to keep the more outrageous moments in check.
The evening began with Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher, paired with Alan Bersten, who tackled their tango to the pulsating beat of “Psycho Killer.” Judge Bruno Tonioli praised Maher’s evident growth, remarking, “I can really see you working very hard, especially on the frame.” The judges were impressed by the performance’s energy, awarding them a score of 24 out of 30. Maher’s grace shone through this week, signaling a breakthrough moment in her journey.
Meanwhile, NBA Champion Dwight Howard, dancing with Daniella Karagach, faced some tough love from his partner. Karagach pointed out that he hadn’t made it through a performance without a mistake. Nevertheless, their contemporary piece dazzled the judges, who were blown away by their intensity. Carrie Ann Inaba noted, “Honestly, I wasn’t sure you would ever go there. Tonight, you left nothing!” Their effort earned them a solid 28 out of 30.
In a delightful twist, Jenn Tran from “The Bachelorette” teamed up with Sasha Farber for a contemporary tribute to sexy vampires. They received a surprise visit from season 32 alum Alyson Hannigan, who chimed in with advice from her time on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” Their performance, however, was more enchanting than frightening, drawing praise from Tonioli: “You really got your teeth into that performance.” Their score was a respectable 28 out of 30.
Super Bowl Champion Danny Amendola showcased his Argentine tango with Witney Carson. Despite a few timing issues, the judges were impressed by his masculinity and partnership with Carson. Hough remarked, “It was so fantastic,” highlighting the connection between the dancers, and they too received a score of 28.
Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik, partnered with Rylee Arnold, played a captivating zombie figure in a contemporary routine that turned heads and earned him a score of 28. “Hands down that was the best!” Inaba declared, emphasizing the leap in performance quality from previous weeks.
The evening culminated with The Bachelor’s Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson delivering a captivating Argentine tango, brilliantly showcasing Graziadei’s charm. Tonioli declared their dance “spellbinding,” and the duo scored an impressive 29 out of 30. Following them, Chandler Kinney from “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin” wowed the audience with a haunting Viennese waltz, also earning a score of 29.
As the night moved to the dance-off, Kinney and Armstrong enjoyed immunity, leading to intense matchups. Howard faced Maher in a cha-cha battle; while neither performed flawlessly, Maher’s energy won her the round. Tran went head-to-head with Nedoroscik, with Tran’s technical skills shining through. The showdown between Graziadei and Amendola promised a thrilling finish, with Graziadei ultimately taking the win.
In a bittersweet conclusion to the evening, the voting results revealed the bottom three: Kinney, Tran, and Nedoroscik. Fans were left stunned as Tran was eliminated, a decision many felt was undeserved given her impressive performance.
As the competition continues, the stakes rise higher, and the remaining stars will have to dig deep to capture both the judges’ scores and the audience’s hearts. With emotions running high and unexpected twists around every corner, “Dancing With the Stars” remains a captivating spectacle, where talent and public sentiment collide in the quest for the coveted mirrorball trophy.
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