1 Top Leaderboard Contestant Goes Home<\/p>\n
7 hr 27 min ago<\/p>\n
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Before revealing who was going to the finale, Alfonso said the show received the most votes in its entire history.\n<\/p>\n
In no particular order and based on live votes and judges scores, Alfonso and Julianne announced that Elaine and Alan, Alix and Val, Robert and Whitney and Dylan and Daniella were safe.\n<\/p>\n
They then announced that Whitney and Mark were voted out of the competition, leaving Jordan and Ezra in the finale.\n<\/p>\n
“I already feel like a winner,” said Whitney. “This show has absolutely meant the world to me. It’s changed my life. I’ll forever be so grateful for the friendships I’ve made, to have this experience, thank you so, so much.”\n<\/p>\n
Robert Wowed the Judges<\/p>\n
7 hr 35 min ago<\/p>\n
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Robert said his 11-year-old self “would be screaming right now.” He said experiencing it himself, after watching his sister on the show, was a “huge honor.”\n<\/p>\n
“It’s time to create my own legacy,” he said.\n<\/p>\n
Witney said the difficult part for Robert in practicing their Viennese Waltz was the footwork. He said being so “passionate” with Witney is “weird.” Adding, “It’s just not our dynamic.”\n<\/p>\n
They danced to \u201cWOW” and lived up to the song name with their electric performance.\n<\/p>\n
Bruno called it “so thrilling, I want to see the sequel!”\n<\/p>\n
“You always deliver such fun, strong performances but tonight, you drew us in in a different way,” Carrie Ann said. “I feel like I’m your mom, I’m just so proud of you.”\n<\/p>\n
Robert ran up to hug Carrie Ann, which prompted the judges to then hug one another.\n<\/p>\n
“Hug it out,” said Derek. “That was a ferocious Viennese Waltz. Every fiber of your body dances.” Derek critiqued his frame, but said he can’t wait to see what Robert does in the finale.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 29\/30\n<\/p>\n
Jordan Finally Gets Her Perfect Score<\/p>\n
7 hr 44 min ago<\/p>\n
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“I’m very proud of myself,” Jordan said of her journey in dance, thinking back to her younger self.\n<\/p>\n
She said she knew their Argentine Tango to \u201cU Got the Look” was their “make or break moment” ahead of the finale. Jordan called it “one of the harder dances that I’ve had to learn,” admitting that she kept kicking Ezra during practice.\n<\/p>\n
Derek called their dance “a top performance” and praised their lines and entrance.\n<\/p>\n
“Beautiful, powerful, focused, she was so strong,” said Bruno. “You were literally leading Ezra! You were the leading lady of the dance, my love.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said that Jordan was in a class of her own, and took the biggest risks. “Tonight, that was the bomb!”\n<\/p>\n
Jordan cried as she got to the skybox: “That little girl in me should be really, really proud.”\n<\/p>\n
Score: 30\n<\/p>\n
After getting her first perfect score, Jordan cried and urged fans to vote.\n<\/p>\n
Whitney Swore on Live TV<\/p>\n
7 hr 51 min ago<\/p>\n
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Whitney started crying reflecting on the experience on the show. “Being a part of the experience blossomed something in me that I feel like had been missing.”\n<\/p>\n
She said when she dances, she feels most like herself. “This whole experience has been life changing for me and I’m just so grateful,” she said, explaining that she can see a future profession with dance.\n<\/p>\n
Mark said he wanted Whitney to look like a floating princess when practicing their Viennese Waltz to \u201cSlow Love.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
“That was, from all the performances that you have done, my absolute favorite. It felt so authentically you. You unmasked, you showed us truly your soul and how much you love to dance. So I just want to thank you for that,” said Carrie Ann. She explained there was “a bit of a hop” so she had “to mark for that.” But said, “that was outstanding.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek was appalled and questioned Carrie Ann: “A bit of a hop?” He praised Whitney for sharing her dreams and said it was “very courageous” of her to open up.\n<\/p>\n
Whitney began crying as Bruno praised the “quality” of her Viennese Waltz. “Impeccable!” he added.\n<\/p>\n
Whitney cursed while waiting for her scores with Julianne in the skybox. “We’re going to have to bleep that,” said Julianne, with a laugh.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 29\/30\n<\/p>\n
Dylan’s Hips Didn’t Lie<\/p>\n
8 hr 2 min ago<\/p>\n
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Dylan said that during week 1, he felt like he was “an imposter.” But by last week, he was flipping Daniella in the air \u2014 “with a broken nose,” she added.\n<\/p>\n
As they practiced their Cha Cha to \u201cKiss,” Daniella said she was excited for Dylan to “take over this dance and get those hips rolling.”\n<\/p>\n
Dylan said he was determined to finally “nail” a Latin-style dance and show what he’s learned over the last 10 weeks. “It’s time to sprint, I’m going to do everything I can to make that finale.”\n<\/p>\n
After their hip-rolling performance (that ended with Dylan kissing the camera), the camera cut to his family, with Zac cheering on his younger brother.\n<\/p>\n
“What happened to your hips? You did so much work,” said Bruno, praising his “finish” and complimenting Daniella for helping him.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said sometimes his arms “got small” and explained she said it so he can work on that for next week.\n<\/p>\n
Derek praised Dylan’s technique. “Your feet were turned out \u2014 nobody does that! It was so, so impressive man, you should be so proud.” Derek started adding that there was “a little thing there” before being cut off.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 28\/30\n<\/p>\n
Alix Cried Happy Tears After Her ‘Purple Rain’ Performance<\/p>\n
8 hr 12 min ago<\/p>\n
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Val said dancing to “Purple Rain” lends itself to a more “emotional performance,” for his Viennese Waltz with Alix. “I’ve gotten more emotionally in turn with myself throughout this,” said Alix.\n<\/p>\n
She began crying saying, “I’m going to be so upset when this is over. I’ve just learned so much about myself, it’s given me a different work ethic.”\n<\/p>\n
She added, “I’ve loved waking up every day and getting to come here and dance and challenge myself.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek said Alix had transformed into a “beautiful dancer” and said he had “no doubt” he’ll see her in the finals. “It was a passionate and stunning Viennese Waltz,” he said.\n<\/p>\n
“You delivered what I wanted, the perfect combination of motion and emotion,” said Bruno. “You felt the music, you trusted [Val] and together you gave us a fabulous [performance].”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said “a performance like this is going down in history.” She added that Alix delivered a “passionate” routine. “I am so proud of you.”\n<\/p>\n
Score: 30\n<\/p>\n
“I’m gonna keep crying,” Alix said after her perfect score.\n<\/p>\n
Elaine Earned Her First Perfect Score<\/p>\n
8 hr 22 min ago<\/p>\n
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For Elaine’s last dance to get to the finals, she reflected on her years as an actress. She explained that she’s trained herself to “just keep going” within her profession, and letting the public see her (and not the characters she plays) has been “really scary.”\n<\/p>\n
“Every week, my body is showing up for me and I’m really grateful for that,” she said. Alan said they’re going to perform their Paso Doble to \u201cWhen Doves Cry” for Elaine’s younger self who wanted to be a dancer growing up.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann jumped out of her seat and hugged Elaine on the dance floor screaming, “That was amazing!” The judge then bowed down to Elaine while the live feed got bleeped as she cursed.\n<\/p>\n
“It was a proper, beautiful Paso Doble,” said Derek, praising her passion. “It was powerful, you filled the room with your energy.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno unbuttoned his entire shirt while he praised the performance. “That really was an authentic Paso Doble, as it should be done. It was a regal performance. Majestic!”\n<\/p>\n
Score: 30\n<\/p>\n
After earning her first perfect score, Alan teared up as Elaine praised him: “We worked so hard for this!”\n<\/p>\n
Robert Blew the Judges Away with His Jive<\/p>\n
8 hr 33 min ago<\/p>\n
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Robert earned the first perfect score of the season last week and won the relay dance. “I have one word for that: “Crikey!” said Robert.\n<\/p>\n
As he worked on his Jive to \u201cBaby I\u2019m a Star\u201d with Witney, Robert said he related to Prince’s energy, but said, “The pressure is on. We are just going again and again and again. Our only option is perfection.”\n<\/p>\n
He kicked off their performance by standing on the judges table and then leaped into the air. Towards the end of his dance, he did a full backflip to finish the high-intensity performance.\n<\/p>\n
“For Prince, only a superstar Jive would do \u2014 you did that,” said Bruno. “So energized and at the same time, controlled. You never put a foot wrong. Superstar Jive!”\n<\/p>\n
“That is how you tell everyone you demand to be in the finale. That was insane!” said Carrie Ann.\n<\/p>\n
Derek said he danced with his “full body,” and said that Jive “had it all! Incredible!”\n<\/p>\n
Score: 30\n<\/p>\n
Jordan Lost the Pace of Her Jive<\/p>\n
8 hr 41 min ago<\/p>\n
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“Making the semi-finals is like making the Olympic trials,” said Jordan. “The competitor in me is definitely coming out.”\n<\/p>\n
Ezra said the hardest thing to teach with a Jive (they danced to \u201cRaspberry Beret\u201d) is stamina, “and luckily my girl has got that down,” he added.\n<\/p>\n
Jordan said she did a Prince routine during her gymnastics career at UCLA and wants to bring her passion to “finally” get a perfect score tonight.\n<\/p>\n
“That Jive had that pure Prince funky fun,” said Derek. He said he wanted more “bite” and “sharpness” but said it was “well done.”\n<\/p>\n
“High energy funk,” said Bruno. He called out the fast tempo and said she was on it for a bit, until she lost the pace.\n<\/p>\n
“For me, this was the best performance so far tonight,” said Carrie Ann. “I loved the energy. Super sharp, super strong.” But she did call out the “mishap” that Bruno mentioned with the tempo.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 27\/30\n<\/p>\n
Dylan’s Famous Family Member Finally Made an Appearance in the Audience<\/p>\n
8 hr 54 min ago<\/p>\n
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Dylan said getting perfect 10s last week was a “moment I’ll never forget.”\n<\/p>\n
“I’m a slow learner, but we’ve really worked hard to get here,” Dylan told his partner Daniella. “Exactly,” she said.\n<\/p>\n
As they practiced a Tango to \u201cI Would Die 4 U,” Dylan said they’ll give it “everything they got.” Daniella said the biggest challenge they faced was working on keeping Dylan’s “bum” tucked in, after many comments from the judges.\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said it was “impressive” but there was a “little bit of a mix-up with the footwork.” She told the audience to “hold your boos” while she said, “the real issue is you have to feel this music. It’s Prince.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek complimented Dylan’s “strong frame” and praised his improvement. Then, he called out Dylan’s brother, Zac Efron, who was in the audience and was also impressed with Dylan’s performance. Derek’s one critique was the star’s lack of heel leads, but said it was “well done.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno called it “sharp” and said he felt Dylan’s “intensity” during the dance.\n<\/p>\n
Score: 27\/30\n<\/p>\n
Whitney Was Called Out by Julianne<\/p>\n
9 hr 4 min ago<\/p>\n
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“I can’t believe it,” said Whitney. “I didn’t think I’d make it this far.”\n<\/p>\n
As Mark and Whitney practiced the Cha Cha to \u201c1999,\u201d Whitney said it was hard for her not to be “so stiff.”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno called their Cha Cha, “saucy.” He praised the execution and placement with the level of difficulty. “You did it stunningly well.”\n<\/p>\n
“Once again, a wonderful dance,” said Carrie Ann. “At times, I could see you focusing on the technique, and normally that doesn’t happen when you perform. It almost kind of hindered it.”\n<\/p>\n
Derek told Carrie Ann she’s “out of her mind,” calling the dance “literal perfection.” He said doing a Cha Cha in the semi-finals “really risky” but it kept getting “better and better” as the dance went on.\n<\/p>\n
While in the skybox, Julianne called out the comment Whitney made on the new season of\u00a0Secret Lives of Mormon Wives\u00a0in which\u00a0she said she only wanted to do the reality show to be on DWTS.\n<\/p>\n
Julianne asked Whitney point blank: “Why do you want to be here so much?”\n<\/p>\n
“After two season of SLOMW, I wanted to take a break, but once I found out this [DWTS] would be an opportunity for all of the girls to be able to go after this, I wanted to take that chance. I will forever be so grateful for [DWTS executive producer] Deena Katz because this changed my life and I couldn’t be more grateful.”\n<\/p>\n
Score: 29\/30\n<\/p>\n
Alix’s Tango Got Mixed Critiques<\/p>\n
9 hr 19 min ago<\/p>\n
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Alix said her perfect score last week isn’t getting to her head. “Now it’s go time!”\n<\/p>\n
As Val taught Alix the choreography for their Argentine Tango to \u201cLittle Red Corvette,” he said this part of the competition is about how much “pain” one can take.\n<\/p>\n
“I didn’t like it, I loved it!” said Derek. “I think you have the potential to go all the way to the end. Beautiful lines, well done!”\n<\/p>\n
Bruno agreed, praising their “lines” and “bodywork” as “top notch.” But he said there were moments that could have been “sharper.” He concluded by calling her the “most improved.”\n<\/p>\n
Carrie Ann said Alix had “grown the most, steadily.” But she critiqued her shoulders and said she was “gripping on to the dance instead of being in control of the dance.”\n<\/p>\n
She added, “Take a deep breath for the next one, and come back stronger.”\n<\/p>\n
Score 29\/30\n<\/p>\n
Elaine Left the Judges Wanting More<\/p>\n
9 hr 19 min ago<\/p>\n
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“I wasn’t sure if I’d make it,” said Elaine of her score last week. “I’m beside myself that I’m in the semi-finals.”\n<\/p>\n
Her partner, Alan, told cameras during practice that he’s focused on making sure her shoulders are correct to avoid any critiques from judges.\n<\/p>\n
After they danced a Foxtrot to \u201cI Wanna Be Your Lover,” Carrie Ann told Elaine: “You deserve this spot so much!”\n<\/p>\n
After praising her “solid” dance, Carrie Ann said she wants to see Elaine “push a little.” She added, “I want to see the edges a little bit more. You make it look so easy, I want to feel like maybe it’s not that easy for you all. If that makes sense.”\n<\/p>\n
“Truly incredibly foxtrot,” said Derek. He echoed Carrie Ann and said that he wants to see Elaine “more fight” during her second dance.\n<\/p>\n
“Radiant as ever,” said Bruno. He said she needs to “push it a bit harder” but said, “You are a a great performer.”\n<\/p>\n
Score: 27\/30\n<\/p>\n
The Ballroom Went Crazy<\/p>\n
9 hr 19 min ago<\/p>\n
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The show kicked off with an electric performance to Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy” by the Dancing with the Stars troupe dancers.\n<\/p>\n
Each contestant and their partner danced as they were introduced \u2014 and even judges Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough came out dancing to finish off the high-intensity intro.\n<\/p>\n
After a quick tribute to Prince, the semi-final was off to the races!\n<\/p>\n
Whitney Leavitt Made an Honest DWTS Confession<\/p>\n
10 hr 14 min ago<\/p>\n
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