The semi-finalists on ‘Dancing with the Stars’.Photo:Disney/Eric McCandless
Disney/Eric McCandless
The race to the Mirrorball Trophy became even more intense on Tuesday’sDancing with the Stars!
After introducing the celebrities and their pro partners, co-hostsJulianne HoughandAlfonso Ribeiroannounced that the couples would be taking on two dances for the evening: one Latin style and one ballroom style.
Then, the semifinals kicked off!
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
After two strong performances last week, Ariana was thrilled to make it into the semifinals. “I didn’t get any critiques from the judges so I’m feeling amazing,” she told cameras.
In rehearsals, Ariana admitted “there’s no way to prepare for” the injuries, mental toughness and other challenges that the competition has brought her way. Still, though, theVanderpump Rulesstar said, “I really love being able to come into my own as someone who does love to perform.”
For this week’s dance, Ariana vowed to perform a jive that “makes an impact… no matter what it takes, I’m gonna give it all I’ve got.”
Bruno Tonioliwas on his feet as he said the routine was a “jewel” that he “loved,” whileCarrie Ann Inabatold the reality star she has “everything you need to win this competition.”
Speaking to Julianne in the skybox afterwards, Ariana said her time onDWTS"has been so incredibly transformative," both physically and mentally, and she was “so fortunate to have gotten this far. I’m really lucky.”
Score: 28/30
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Coming off a week in whichhe topped the leaderboardand got a perfect score, Jason said felt “incredible” and “rejuvenated.” He added, “I’m gonna take that momentum with me into the semifinals.”
With a Viennese waltz to his song “I Won’t Give Up” this week, Jason said he was excited to perform this week to the fitting tune, which he wrote after a breakup when he “felt worthless.”
“I wrote that song to indicate I won’t give up on myself moving forward,” he explained, before finding its relevance to his place onDWTS. “It could not be a more perfect song… a few weeks ago, I wanted to throw in the towel, I’m so glad I didn’t.”
As rehearsals carried on, Jason admitted he was struggling with the spins required in the Viennese waltz, but even so, he vowed to deliver a “flawless performance that people will remember for a long time.”
After the routine, Bruno commended his “proper, correct” dance and told the singer, “You really dance like a gentleman.” He also requested that Jason provide “a little bit more drive” next time.
Carrie Ann said it was “very refined” but urged Jason to show “emotional freedom” because he appears “guarded” when he dances. Derek, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude to Jason for writing that song before calling their Waltz “so beautiful and so full of content … [and] very elegant.”
Score: 27/30
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Xochitl told cameras that getting into the semifinals “isn’t something I thought would happen, but I’m here, and I’m so happy.” She also reflected on her youth, where she used to “fake it till I make it,” and said she hopes to find roles that require dance moving forward.
She certainly followed through, with the judges raving about their Latin dance afterwards. Carrie Ann called the routine “spectacular” and noted that “the content was off the charts.” She also praised Val’s choreography, saying it showed off “all the strengths of Xochitl.”
Bruno was on his feet and said he’s “still partying” after their routine. “She is the Samba diva!” he added. “Nothing left out, always, always delivered, like a star!”
Score: 30/30
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Charity was on cloud nine after Taylor Swift night. “Last week was incredible … and getting two 10’s was [chef’s kiss],” she told cameras. “Seeing how much strength and resilience I have has been the highlight for me.”
“This is a moment for me to really step up my performance,” she said before taking the dance floor. “At this stage in the competition… I have to perform from my heart.”
Speaking to Julianne in the skybox, Charity addressed her breakthrough moment, saying: “I knew it was about connecting and emotions and I knew I had a moment like that this season… I knew this week was really the week I had to do that, and I did that!”
“It means a lot to be acknowledged, and know [that] yes, my effort is there,” she added.
Score: 29/30
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Alyson admitted that she thought “for sure” she was going home after her scores “dipped” down on Taylor Swift night, and said she was thrilled to make it to the semifinals. “Being the underdog, I am so proud to be here and I do want to prove to all the other underdogs that you can do it,” she said
“I am going to do everything I can to pull off a perfect performance because I’m rooting for the underdog too,” she said.
After their dance, Bruno said he loved the routine but pointed out a few missteps that Alyson made. “You’ve improved so much from week one, it’s unbelievable, but there were a couple of errors,” he noted.
Carrie Ann said she appreciated Sasha for adding the choreography and praised Alyson for the way she was “killing the dance.” She also pointed out how Alyson fearlessly encourages everyone to dance, whether or not they think they can do it successfully.
Score: 25/30
“The pressure is on and I’ve gotta deliver something amazing,” he told cameras.
The judges couldn’t be more thrilled after the dance concluded. Carrie Ann said she was “looking for magic” and said “that dance was magic.”
Derek raved about the “proper” routine and called Jason “fierce.” He added, “That’s the way to make it into the finale!”
Before their final dance of the evening, Xochitl reflected on how far she had come. “I never thought I’d be this good of a dancer, so getting in the finale is fabulous,” she said. “Being a 17-year-old and doing this show, I’ve gained a lot of respect for dancers.”
Bruno called the dance “magnificent” and added “this girl is an artist.”
Carrie Ann was also choked up and said Xochitl “touched my heart” with that routine and simply called their dance “stunning.”
Heading into their final dance of the night, Charity and Artem set their focus on nailing the quickstep routine.
“This entire journey has been so life-changing,” Charity told cameras, adding that she was looking forward to “carrying that momentum” into the finale.
Though she was determined, Charity admitted the quickstep was a grueling routine to nail and even asked Artem for tips on how to master breathing while smiling. “I’m this close and I’m going for it more than ever,” she vowed.
Carrie Ann said it was “filled with content, top to bottom,” and commended her for “finishing strong” and never losing momentum throughout the routine.
Derek also gave them a standing ovation and cheer, telling Charity: “That was a difficult quickstep but you made it look easy and fun!”
Their efforts ultimately paid off as Charity and Artem earned their first-ever perfect score from the judges.
Celebrating how far she’s come, Alyson admitted there were “many days” where she didn’t know if she’d make it through.
“I just kept showing up and doing the work,” she continued. “So it would mean the world to me to make it into the finale.”
Recognizing that she needs to “work 10 times harder than the other dancers to prove I deserve a spot in the finale,” Alyson added, “I really have to just do everything perfectly.”
Derek called the routine Alyson’s “best dance” and said she’s a “perfect example of how to approach this show.” This prompted Alyson to break down in happy tears.
Bruno also called the routine “so pretty” and said the dance had a “dream-like quality.”
Through her tears, Alyson told Sasha afterwards: “If that’s my last dance with you, I just love you so much and thank you.”
Score: 26/30
For the final dance of the evening, Ariana was determined to deliver a “perfect” routine.
“I don’t know if I thought I would ever make it to the semifinals so going into this week I’m feeling empowered and so excited,” she said. “I don’t plan on slowing down any time soon because we are one week away so I’m going to freaking fight… I need to prove my worth to be in the finale.”
Ariana’s “already-aching back” proved to be a challenge while rehearsing but, she vowed, “Pain hasn’t stopped me before and it’s certainly not going to stop me now.”
She added, “My whole life, I’ve fought for everything I have. There is a place for me in that finale and I’m coming for it.”
Bruno was on his feet, telling Ariana: “You unleashed the fox from the foxtrot!” He called the dance “brilliant.”
Carrie Ann celebrated Ariana being “back” and praised her for how she pushed through her back injury and “left it all here on the ballroom floor.” She added, “A wonderful way to end the semifinals!”
Results
Heading into the results, Xochitl and Val topped the leaderboard with 60/60 for the evening. Charity and Artem followed with a 59/60, while Ariana and Pasha had a 58/60 and Jason and Daniella were close behind with a 57/60. At the bottom of the leaderboard was Alyson and Sasha with a 51/60.
Alyson and Sasha, Jason and Daniella, Charity and Artem claimed the first three spots. This left Xochitl and Val and Ariana and Pasha standing as the remaining two.
In a final surprise twist, Julianne and Alfonso revealed that both couples were safe and all five pairs would be competing in the finale, leaving the groups thrilled for one final week together.
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Dancing with the Starsairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
source: people.com
