On this week’s (Nov 18) Dancing with the Stars, contestant James Van Der Beek shared devastating news. “My wife Kimberly [Brook] went through every expectant parent’s worst nightmare. We lost the baby,” James said in his video package before his second performance with partner Emma Slater. James had recently revealed that he and his wife were expecting their sixth child.
“The little soul that we had expected to welcome into our family took a shortcut to whatever lies beyond. You never know why these things happen. That’s what I’ve been telling my kids,” he said.
“It breaks you open,” he shared tearfully. “It opens up your heart, deepens your appreciation. It makes you more human.” James planned to pull out of the competition, but Kimberly urged him to stay. “I really didn’t think I’d be dancing tonight but Kimberly from our hospital bed said, ‘I’m not done watching you dance.'” James performed a foxtrot, which he dedicated to Kimberly.
After James went on to perform Hozier’s “Take Me To Church,” he picked up his daughter Olivia, who was sobbing in the audience. Erin was choked up as she interviewed backstage. Emma was in tears as were several of the contestants.
Watch the performance and interview below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts_w0T8Vr90
The second shocker of the night: James and Emma, considered front runners by many, were ELIMINATED from the show! They were in the bottom two with Ally Brooke and Sasha Farber. All three judges–Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli–chose to save Ally & Sasha. James and Emma were at the bottom of the leaderboard for the night, but it was Ally and Sasha’s third trip to the bottom two. Eliminations are tough at this stage of the game, but this one was truly shocking.
Ally was crying so hard. She asked if she could switch places. But, no. That’s not how it works. It was a very emotional night all around. Dancing with the Stars will crown a winner next week (Nov 25). Check out our recap of tonight’s show HERE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeURFutT6tE
James posted more details in an emotional Instagram post:
Wrecked. Devastated. In shock. That’s how we’re feeling right now after the soul we thought were going to welcome into our family in April… has taken a short cut to whatever lies beyond this life. We’ve been through this before, but never this late in the pregnancy, and never accompanied by such a scary, horrific threat to @vanderkimberly and her well-being. Grateful that she’s now recovering, but we’ve only just begun unpacking the layers of this one. Thank you to all of our friends and co-workers (and dance partners) who have shown up for us so beautifully during this time. As many of you have said, “There are no words…” and it’s true. Which is why in a time like this it’s enough to know that you’re there. Grieving AND counting our blessings today.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B5B99aopdd-/?utm_source=ig_embed
