The stakes and emotions were running high in the ballroom on the Nov. 9 episode of Dancing With the Stars. During Showstopper Week, the remaining six couples each had to dance not once, but twice. First, they performed individual routines — except Tamar Braxton, who missed hers because she was in the hospital).
Next, the couples were matched in sets of two for a second dance — and by some miracle, Tamar made it back to the studio in time for that one, thereby saving herself from an automatic, lawyer-mandated elimination. But did her return make a difference?
Derek Hough and Bindi Irwin continued their domination on the dance floor. Despite the fact that Derek got way too in his own head during rehearsal, he and the teenage wildlife conservationist performed a Viennese waltz that left the judges stunned and on their feet. (Did we mention she was blindfolded for the performance?!)
“Every week you are so flawless, but tonight there was something different,” Julianne Hough said. “The thing that makes you grow is that you takes risks. You don’t play it safe ever.” Bruno Tonioli said the “dance spoke for itself” and Carrie Ann Inaba mused, “It felt like I was watching a sunrise.” In other words, they liked it and Derek and Bindi received yet another perfect score.
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas also had a big night, nailing their contemporary routine inspired by the Spy Kids star’s struggle with bulimia. Bruno called the choreography “brilliant” and Carrie Ann said it encompassed the spirit not only of dance, but also of “healing.” Not surprisingly, they also earned a perfect score to tie for the top of the leader board.
Alexa’s husband, Carlos PenaVega, didn’t do as well with his Justin Bieber-themed tango. During practice, his partner, Witney Carson, seemed to experience a sort of crisis of confidence. Carrie Ann said the dance was “good” but “lacked impact.” Julianne fed off Carrie Ann’s comment adding, “Argentine tango is about passion. I think that’s what it lacked.”
Coming in just one point ahead of Carlos and Witney were Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess. The pair performed a quickstep that wowed the crowd, but Carrie Ann and Julianne took Nick to task for being out of time on occasion. Bruno, however, thought the former Backstreet Boy’s performance was flawless.
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold continued to struggle. “If we’re being honest, Alek is not the best dancer who’s left in this competition,” Lindsay admitted during their video package (ouch!). For his part, Alek wasn’t thrilled with having to show his stomach, but he did get some help from a bunch of the ladies on set who waxed his (rather hairy) chest in preparation for his performance. It turned out that wasn’t enough, though, and he and Lindsay ended up near the bottom of the board, again.
He still did better than Tamar, though — but only because she wasn’t there. The Real host had a nonstop week and ended up in the hospital earlier in the day. According to the rules, the judges were allowed to score her dress rehearsal, which is exactly what they did.
It was a little awkward and pro Val Chmerkovskiy seemed a little defensive, arguing it wasn’t good because she was sick and only showed up 15 minutes before they rehearsed. Carrie Ann called it a “wicked shame” that Tamar wasn’t there to do it in person, but the judges had no choice but to score them in last place.
Then it was time for the Showstopper routines, all based on numbers from famous musicals. Alexa and Mark as well as Bindi and Derek slayed their Chicago-inspired Charleston and landed a perfect score, while Alec and Lindsay along with Carlos and Witney fell short with a paso doble to “We Will Rock You” by Queen that failed to rock the judges.
In a shocking moment, Tamar actually made it back, joining Val, Nick, and Sharna for their rumba inspired by Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles show, Love. The mere fact that pneumonia-addled Tamar showed up to dance had the judges bowing down and they rewarded her (as well as her teammates) with a solid score.
And just when it seemed nothing more shocking could happen, it was revealed that Alexa — who had just received two perfect scores! — would be going home. Alexa and Carlos were both in tears as she said goodbye to the competition.
“I wish it had been me,” her husband whispered in her ear. “It’s okay,” Alexa replied. “I’m just so happy we ended on this note.”
Here are the complete rankings for Showstopper Night:
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough, Viennese waltz: 30 out of 30
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas, contemorary: 30 out of 30
Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess, quickstep: 28 out of 30
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson, Argentine tango: 27 out of 30
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold, salsa: 24 out of 30
Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy, contemporary: 22 out of 30
Tell Us: Did the right couple get eliminated?
