My lack of puns tonight may make it clear I know basically no Janet Jackson songs, but this night is sure to be a big one for our eight remaining couples, including a fun DWTS Tour dance number, a Dance-Off and a nasty double elimination (hey, I guess I had a pun in me after all).
After each couple performs a routine to a Janet Jackson hit, they’ll all be paired up into four groups of two for a Dance-Off, each group judged separately by an individual judge and one couple from each group will be awarded two bonus points.
I’m sure last week’s bottom two — JoJo and Jenna and The Miz and Witney — had everyone on the edge of their seats, but the outcome wasn’t all that shocking. After a unanimous decision from the judges, The Miz and Witney were rightfully eliminated.
As we near the end of Season 30, your votes are more important than ever! Below is voting information for each contestant if you’re voting by text, or you can vote at http://ABC.com.
Text AMANDA to 21523
Text CODY to 21523
Text IMAN to 21523
Text JIMMIE to 21523
Text JOJO to 21523
Text MELORA to 21523
Text OLIVIA to 21523
Text SUNI to 21523
The show opens with a troupe/eliminated pro number to “Nasty” and Tyra struts out not looking too ridiculous for once.
Janet Jackson videos live into the ballroom! (and Tyra makes it all about her, of course…)
Jimmie Allen & Emma – Cha Cha Cha
Look at Jimmie go with that opening solo! His bottom half is definitely better than his top half, but it was fun choreo and he’s getting better every week! Surprising to see a Cha Cha this late into the season too! And Jimmie’s singing along was so relatable for a music-loving dancer like myself! haha
Len says there were a couple of heel leads (which is a big no-no for a Latin dance) and it was a nice dance, but he’s not sure if nice is good enough to get them into next week. Derek says he loves Jimmie’s sparkly outfit, and this wasn’t his best performance. Bruno praises Janet and then calls it fun and playful and condemns his heel leads. Carrie Ann says Jimmie brings the fun every time.
Carrie Ann- 8, Len- 8, Derek- 8, Bruno- 8 = 32/40
Suni Lee & Sasha – Samba
I’m loving these star solos tonight! Aside from that leg incident near the end, Suni did great! Even had more Samba bounce than you would expect from a beginner! And that gymnast-like ending! Wow!
Derek screams, “Suni!” and says she had a beautiful energy and she did Samba beautifully. Bruno says she had pros around her and she could be one of them! Carrie Ann says she’s proud and and asks if this feels like it’s finally Suni. Len says if he was a doctor giving her Samba a health check, it would get an A1 (which is good in British terms, I guess?).
Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 10, Derek- 10, Bruno- 10 = 40/40
Melora Hardin & Artem – Paso Doble
Maybe the star solos at the beginning of each dance is a thing no one told us about this week…? Very strange song to do a Paso to, but Melora nailed it! She hit each step and had the perfect amount of energy throughout the entire dance.
Bruno says she was ferocious and furious, and in spite of it all, the artistry was there. Carrie Ann says usually women in their 50’s can’t compete at the level of everyone else, but Melora is “kicking the balls out of everyone in this competition” (oh boy). Len asks what came over her and says he loved her skirt (k..). Derek says she slayed that Paso.
Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 10, Derek- 10, Bruno- 10 = 40/40
Olivia Jade & Val – Argentine Tango
That running out onto the dance floor wasn’t very fitting. A gorgeous routine, and Olivia’s long legs suit her in this dance. The table-dancing is overdone and Olivia’s lip syncing an inch from Val’s face was odd, but ok.
Carrie Ann says it was a beautiful performance, but she would have liked to see more heat. Len says he loved the chemistry and interaction, but he’s never keen on a table (to which Val responds, “Have you tried it?” LOL). Derek quips, “You should try tables out!” then tells Olivia she always has a joy on her face while she’s dancing. Bruno says she had great legwork but could have used more passion.
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 9, Derek- 9, Bruno- 9 = 36/40
Cody Rigsby & Cheryl – Paso Doble
Cody spinning Cheryl around the floor did not look good… a basic Paso routine, not very feisty in my opinion. Cody dropping to the floor at the end looked cool though.
Len says it was big, bold and no-nonsense dancing, and that Paso is “a man’s dance” (how can you say that when you literally have a female/female pairing this season?). Derek says Cody’s been stepping it up and it was all there. Bruno says Cody unleashed the beast within, and was like an executioner…? Carrie Ann asks Cody how it felt and calls it fantastic.
Scores after the break…!
Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 10, Derek- 9, Bruno- 9 = 38/40
Amanda Kloots & Alan – Jazz
Jazz is similar to Broadway dancing so this should be easy 10’s for Amanda… Alan whacked out every trick in the book for this one, and definitely utility her ability to work her legs. The moment when she was supposed to body roll and did nothing was odd, but it was exactly how you would imagine a Janet Jackson-themed Jazz routine.
Derek screams her name (a theme tonight, I guess) and says she was a leading lady from start to finish and compliments the lifts. Bruno says basically exactly what Derek said about her leading the dance, then says she added her personality to Janet moves. Carrie Ann runs down to hug Amanda (COVID, anyone?) and Len simply says it was amazing.
Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 10, Derek- 10, Bruno- 10 = 40/40
Iman Shumpert & Daniella – Cha Cha Cha
Remember when I said Jimmie’s bottom half was better than his top half? Well, in Iman’s case, neither half was good… He does the freestyle bits well, but any actual Cha Cha steps (there wasn’t much honestly) lacked any and all technique.
Bruno says taking on “Rhythm Nation” was a great tribute, but the Cha Cha Cha was minimal. Carrie Ann says he delivered the choreo with his normal pizazz. Len says the group section was on point but there wasn’t enough Cha Cha. Derek calls them special and says it was a memorable performance.
Carrie Ann- 9, Len- 8, Derek- 9, Bruno- 9 = 35/40
JoJo Siwa & Jenna – Salsa
Was that some Latin motion I saw at times?? That’s not something you see often from a star on this show no matter what the week is. They overdid the sexiness for just a Salsa, and I personally would have liked to see more in hold rather than dancing separately, but let’s face it, JoJo can dance anything!
Carrie Ann says a lot of why this season is so intense is because of JoJo and calls it a “Cirque du Salsa.” Len says she’s an excellent dancer and she and Jenna are a fantastic dream team (literally thought he said they were “green tea”), but there were too many gimmicks in the dance. Derek says he loved the opening lift and calls her a great leader. Bruno says it was drop-dead sexy.
Carrie Ann- 10, Len- 9, Derek- 10, Bruno- 10 = 39/40
We take a break from the competition for a dance number featuring the pros going on the DWTS Tour next year! Plus, Tyra announces that DWTS alum Kaitlyn Bristowe will be joining the tour and appears on the dance floor to join them!
Now time for the Dance-off!
Jimmie and Emma VS. Suni and Sasha (aka husband VS. wife!) – Salsa to “Made For Now” – Judged by Bruno
Sasha high-fives Suni and the dance begins! Jimmie is a lot less stiff than Suni, but Suni and Sasha used Suni’s gymnast moves to their advantage. They both did a lift at the exact same time, how could that not have been planned?
Bruno awards the two points to… Suni and Sasha!
JoJo and Jenna VS. Olivia and Val (once again, husband VS. wife!) – Rumba to “That’s The Way Love Goes” – Judged by Carrie Ann
Val’s playing it safe with typical Rumba steps while Jenna is stepping out of the box (literally… ha, dance humor). JoJo and Jenna’s chemistry is well on display compared to Olivia and Val, but Olivia has a lot more fluidity compared to JoJo.
Carrie Ann awards the two points to… JoJo and Jenna!
Melora and Artem VS. Iman and Daniella – Foxtrot to “Again” – Judged by Derek
This entire thing brought me back to my ballroom competition days! haha Melora brought the technique but Iman and Daniella always bring the chemistry. Interesting how the two dances ended similarly.
Derek awards the two points to… Melora and Artem!
Cody and Cheryl VS. Amanda and Alan – Cha Cha Cha to “Together Again” – Judged by Len
Well, Amanda lacked rhythm but Cody lacked technique, so… glad I’m not a judge! haha Amanda and Alan look like they’re having fun while Cody and Cheryl are just trying to look sexy- and oh my goodness, I do know this song! That makes two Janet songs I actually know!
Len awards the two points to… Amanda and Alan!
Couples definitely going to the semi-finals are… Suni and Sasha, JoJo and Jenna, Amanda and Alan, Cody and Cheryl and Iman and Daniella.
Olivia and Val, Melora and Artem and Jimmie and Emma are in the bottom three.
The first couple eliminated is… Olivia and Val.
Derek saves Melora and Artem. Bruno saves Melora and Artem. Carrie Ann tearfully saves Melora and Artem.
Jimmie and Emma are eliminated.
Judges’ Scores
Amanda- 42
Melora- 42
Suni- 42
–
JoJo- 41
–
Cody- 38
–
Olivia- 36
–
Iman- 35
–
Jimmie- 32
Well, it’s been a wild night. Not so sure I agree with the eliminations, but… semi-finals are a week away! No word on whether it’s a themed night, but join me next Monday night to find out and watch the remaining couples battle it out for a spot in the finale!
