It’s time for a trip down memory lane — for the season 22 cast of Dancing With the Stars, that is. In the Monday, April 4, episode, the remaining 11 celebs performed dances that honored their Most Memorable Year. This is always a crowd-pleasing night packed with plenty of tears, and tonight was no exception. For one couple, however, it was even more emotional because it marked the end of the road on the way to the Mirrorball. So who captured America’s hearts, and who got sent packing? Let’s get right to it.
Mischa Barton Goes Home
After last week’s disastrous performance and attitude, it’s hardly a surprise that Mischa Barton was eliminated tonight. In footage from last week, the OC alum could be seen reprimanding Artem Chigvintsev. “I was relying on you to make it a positive experience,” she snapped at her partner, who told her she seemed “already in the zone of not wanting to do this.”
Mischa then stormed off, declaring, “I can’t do another week of this. He just is not getting it, and it’s horrible for me.” It seemed like the person who wasn’t getting it wasn’t Artem, but it doesn’t matter now.
Mischa dedicated her dance this week to 2008, the year she departed her leading role on the OC during its peak because she didn’t think she was enjoying it anymore. (Seriously — what exactly does she enjoy?) In honor of leaving one of the most coveted acting jobs on the planet, Mischa and Artem performed a samba with a Hollywood theme. The judges praised her for having a better attitude, and Len Goodman called it her “best dance,” but that wasn’t saying much, considering she only got 18 points and landed dead last on the leader board. Bye-bye, Marissa Cooper.
Other Couples Who Struggled
Overall, nearly everyone improved this week, though the football legends found themselves in a three-way tie at the bottom. Doug Flutie and Karina Smirnoff performed a waltz dedicated to 2015, the year that both his father and mother passed away on the same day. (So tough.) Since most celebs choose to honor happy memories, this heart-wrenching dance stood out for its raw emotion. By the end, Doug was in tears, as was Carrie Ann Inaba, who told him he “created magic.” That magic was only worth 20 points, however.
Von Miller and Witney Carson showcased a contemporary routine that honored his 2016 Super Bowl win. Bruno Tonioni called it “a work sculpted to perfection” (although he might have been talking about Von’s abs more than his dancing), but Carrie Ann argued the football star wasn’t giving it his all.
Antonio Brown and Sharna Burgess rounded out the trio with a foxtrot dedicated to 2007, when his son was born and he broke a college record on the same day. His son joined them for part of the dance and pretty much stole the show, but even that wasn’t enough to move them up the board.
Couples Who Nailed It
Wayna Morris and Lindsay Arnold continued their strong showing with a waltz dedicated to 1996, when he and Boyz II Men performed the national anthem at the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta just days after a bombing there rocked the world. Len compared Wayna’s dancing to “ice cream on hot apple pie,” and Carrie Ann praised his musicality.
Another standout was Paige VanZant, who happily had her partner, Mark Ballas, back in the ballroom with her after an injury prevented him from performing last week. VanZant’s paso doble was dedicated to 2014, the year she had her first UFC fight. Len criticized the dance for not looking enough like a proper paso doble, but both Bruno and Carrie Ann went gaga for it.
It was Nyle DiMarco and Peta Murtgatroyd whose tango took everyone’s breath away. The deaf model dedicated the routine to 2012, the year he traveled the world without an interpreter. His mom (who is also deaf) gushed over her son, noting that he can do anything, maybe even be president some day. Carrie Ann thought the routine was “brilliant,” while Bruno declared, “This is what I was waiting for!” But it was Len, perhaps, who said it best. “You are proof that anyone can do anything if they want to,” he mused. If that’s not the highest praise, we don’t know what is.
Everyone else fell somewhere in the middle with dances that were pleasant but forgettable. This included Kim Fields and Sasha Farber‘s foxtrot, Ginger Zee and Val Chmerkovskiy‘s contemporary routine, and Marla Maples and Tony Dovolani‘s jive. They’ll have to up the ante next week if they have any hope of catching even a touch of Nyle’s fire.
Tell Us: Were you surprised Mischa went home?
Rankings Below:
25: Nyle DiMarco
24: Wayna Morris
23: Paige VanZant, Jodie Sweetin
22: Kim Fields
21: Ginger Zee, Marla Maples
20: Doug Flutie, Von Miller, Antonio Brown
18: Mischa Barton
Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC on Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.
