Recently, Tuesdays have become one of my favorite days of the week for one reason: Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). The reality dance show is a fun hangout activity with my friends and a great topic of conversation. Season 35 premiered on Sept. 16 and was highly anticipated due to its increased competitor count and cast of high-profile celebrities.
This past week’s theme featured the songs of pop singer Mariah Carey. I thought the dances were the best of the season so far, with some underrated celebs and great choreography.
**Beware! This post contains spoilers for Week 4, so read on if you would like to know the results.**
Ciara Miller & Brandon Armstrong
Ciara Miller and pro Brandon Armstrong performed a jazz dance to “Emotions.”
Their performance showed me that persistence is key, with Miller steadily finding her confidence over the past couple of weeks. Their fun jazz earned them a 21 out of 30, their best score of the season.
Ezra Frech & Daniella Karagach
Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach performed a rumba to “Anytime You Need a Friend.” Frech’s rumba was slower than his previous dances, but the Paralympian persevered through his unique mobility differences.
He’s quickly become a fan favorite, and his partner, Daniella Karagach, even joked that she had received many DMs from girls expressing their interest in Frech. The pair earned their best score of the season with three 8s.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson danced a tango to Carey’s “It’s Like That.” As a loyal Grey’s Anatomy viewer, it’s so fun to watch Harry Shum Jr. in a different setting.
Shum Jr. channeled his role as a background dancer in the “It’s Like That” music video, though Johnson said that their tango would be very different from the choreography in the video. His dance experience has had some fans criticizing the show for unfair casting, but he continues to elevate his performances every week. His tango was powerful and sensual, landing him straight 8s.
Jenna Dewan & Val Chmerkovskiy
Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy danced a rumba to “My All.”
Over the past couple of weeks, Dewan has received some tough criticism from the judges for dancing as a soloist and needing to tone down her “attack” of the moves. She was frustrated with the execution of her ballroom dances, despite being a professional dancer in other styles. However, this week she left the judges on their feet, receiving straight 8s.
Tyler Cameron & Sharna Burgess
Actor Tyler Cameron and pro Sharna Burgess performed a foxtrot to “Beautiful.” Coming off low scores from the week before, The Bachelorette alum was determined to step it up.
In the couple’s introduction package, Cameron got emotional about the passing of his mom, saying DWTS was a show she dreamed of him going on. The judges commended his technical improvement and gave him straight 7s.
Maura Higgins & Mark Ballas
Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas delivered a waltz to “If It’s Over.” Despite having no previous dance experience, Irish TV personality Higgins has consistently impressed the judges each week.
The judges commented on her great technique and musicality. Ballas agreed, commenting that Higgins is a celebrity who comes on the show with untapped talent. She received the first 9 of the season in addition to two 8s, earning the highest score of the night with a 25 out of 30.
Guillermo Rodriguez & Witney Carson
Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson came through with a samba routine to “Obsessed.”
Rodriguez, the comedian best known for being Jimmy Kimmel’s sidekick on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, survived another week despite consistently being at the bottom of the leaderboard. Derek Hough, one of the judges, said that Rodriguez’s dance wasn’t quite a samba, but was “100% Guillermo.”
Jackson Olson & Emma Slater
Athlete Jackson Olson and Emma Slater waltzed across our TV screens to “Without You.”
The Savannah Bananas star was focused on improving his scores after being stagnant at 6s for the past couple of weeks. Slater coached him to slow down and feel the music and emotion of the waltz, which the judges appreciated. After the praise, Olson earned straight 7s.
Tatyana Ali & Jan Ravnik
Tatyana Ali and pro partner Jan Ravnik performed a jazz dance to Carey’s iconic hit, “Fantasy.”
The actress has stayed an underrated celeb since the beginning of the competition. Ravnik wanted to push her limits and added a few flips into the high-energy routine. Carrie Ann Inaba, one of the judges, said she was a great storyteller, but Bruno Tonioli, another judge, said she can push harder. They received two 7s and one 6 for a total of 20 out of 30.
Connor Wood & Rylee Arnold
Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold delivered a spicy rumba, accompanied by “Touch My Body.”
They began their dance with a body roll sequence that has since gone viral. The judges appreciated how daring he was but mentioned that the comedian needed to work more on his technique and balance. They earned 19 out of 30.
Julia Stiles & Ezra Sosa
Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa performed a Viennese Waltz to “Vision of Love.”
Stiles, a beloved actor known for some iconic 2000s movies, is a rare gem on the dance floor. She’s struggled with getting in her head, but Inaba called this dance her breakthrough moment. Her arms were called “gorgeous” and her dance “elegant.” They received straight 7s.
Amber Glenn & Pasha Pashkov
Figure skater Amber Glenn and pro Pasha Pashkov danced a Rumba to “Hero.”
The Olympian went all out this week with her Rumba. She incorporated her powerful ice-skating prowess with some soon-to-be viral moves and incredible flexibility. They received two 7s and one 8 for a total of 23 out of 30.
About the Elimination…
Unfortunately, Miller and Armstrong were eliminated this week, even with their decent 21 out of 30 score for the night. This outraged some fans, especially me, who thought that Rodriguez should’ve been the one going home due to his score of 13 out of 30 and his lack of consistent improvement.
Although people love his personality, it’s become a situation where an older and less agile person stays very long on the show without obvious improvement. Other than Rodriguez, I wouldn’t be surprised if Olson or Cameron had gone home this week due to the high competition and slow progress of both celebs.
My Favorites
Although I have little dance experience, I recognize the talent of the celebrities this season. There are so many contenders, with Shum Jr. and Dewan having previous dance experience, Paralympic and Olympic athletes Frech and Glenn, actresses Ali and Stiles, and reality TV star Higgins.
I’m rooting for Glenn, Frech, and Higgins, who each have great potential to go far in the competition. The bar is being raised each week, leaving the fans with more incredible dances. I can’t wait for next Tuesday night!
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