Dancing With The Stars may have ended a couple of months ago, but we can never get enough talking about one of our favorite shows! On Tuesday, November 4 it was Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night in the ballroom. The special night even included a guest judge, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Flavor Flav!
Reality TV star Dylan Efron and his partner Daniella Karagach had the first dance of the night with a Jive to “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John. During the couple’s pre-recorded package, Karagach explained that judge Bruno Tonioli was in the music video for the song in 1983, so they have to give the dance the best they’ve got. Efron took this as motivation and started the show off with a bang. Tonioli told the star that he “missed a pass,” but his abs were “absolutely fabulous.” Carrie Ann Inaba said he had some elements of the Jive, but there were “three” moments that he messed up. She then added his journey has been “impressive.” Derek Hough told Efron he wanted a bit “more energy” at times, but said it was a “great jive.” The routine earned Efron his first 10, from Flavor Flav, and the couple earned a 36 out of 40.
Social media influencer Alix Earle was next with her partner Val Chmerkovskiy with a Paso Doble to “Livin’ on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi. The top 3 couples on the leaderboard last week all were doing a Paso Doble this week, so the competition was high. In her pre-recorded package, Earle received a video message from Bon Jovi saying, “Wishing you all the very best, we’ll be watching!” The good luck message clearly helped Earle because the routine was a personal favorite of the night. Tonioli called Earle a “Paso Doble bombshell.” It was slightly hard to hear her through her excitement, but Inaba praised Earle saying that she set the “standard” for the technique of dance. Hough exclaimed it was “Pure Paso Power! It was amazing!” and that Earle was a “rock and roll goddess.” Flav added that their “timing was great.” Earle didn’t get an expected perfect score, and instead got a 39 out of 40 because Flav gave them a “9.”
Actor Andy Richter and his partner Emma Slater were next with a Contemporary to “God Only Knows” by The Beach Boys. In his pre-recorded package, Richter got choked up thinking about all of the support he’s been receiving online, such as fans throwing birthday parties for him. Just like every other week, there’s not much the judges can critique anymore when Richter is so behind the other stars. Both Inaba and Hough thanked Richter for “embracing” the “process” and Tonioli added that Richter is the “people’s champion.” As usual, Richter landed at the bottom of the leaderboard and earned himself only a 30 out of 40, thanks to Flav’s undeserving “9.”
The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas were next with a Paso Doble to “No More Tears” by Ozzy Osbourne. In her pre-recorded package, when Leavitt found out she was dancing to Osbourne she shared that “I want to do it justice.” Flav, Tonioli and Hough praised the dance, Hough saying, “It rocked, it was classic, it was edgy… That was perfection.” Inaba called out Leavitt’s “few stumbles” but praised her “intensity.” The couple earned themselves a 39 out of 40.
Actress Danielle Fishel was next with her partner Pasha Pashkov with their Contemporary to “Dream On” by Aerosmith. In her pre-recorded package, Fishel shared with Pashkov that this song inspired her to “live out my dreams” because her cancer diagnosis last year showed her to never take your time for granted. She added through tears, “I’ve remained incredibly positive since my diagnosis and I feel really proud, and I don’t often feel that way.” After the moving performance, Tonioli told the actress she should be “proud.” Hough shared, “You’re someone we all root for. You radiate such positive energy. You glow.” He added that the dance felt “a little disjointed,” but she should feel “proud.” The routine earned the couple a 34 out of 40.
It was then time for actress Elaine Hendrix and her partner Alan Bersten to have their comeback to the ballroom with a Viennese Waltz to “What the World Needs Now Is Love” by Dionne Warwick. After not competing last week due to being hospitalized for her injury, Hendrix knew she had a lot to prove this week. Hendrix only had 4 days to practice this week, and her performance still didn’t disappoint. Tonioli told the actress the dance was “extremely elegant” and “light, flowy, smooth.” Inaba said that Hendrix moves are “grounded in love” and Hough added that Hendrix is “resilient” and that the way she dances is a “breath of fresh air.” Flav praised the actress saying, “You don’t move like you were hurt… You healed up beautifully. That was so amazing.” The couple earned themselves a 37 out of 40, earning her first “10” from Flav.
Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles had the next dance with her partner Ezra Sosa, a Jazz to “River Deep – Mountain High” by Ike & Tina Turner. In her pre-recorded package, Chiles admitted that she felt “defeated” after last week when the judges didn’t like the couple’s dance and use of the harness. Chiles used this as motivation to do her best this week. The gymnast channeled her inner Tina Turner and earned a lot of praise from the judges. Inaba said the routine “did not disappoint” and Hough added that Chiles is the “queen of the ballroom.” The couple scored a 38 out of 40.
Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and his partner Witney Carson had the final dance of the night with a Paso Doble to “Icky Thump” by The White Stripes. In his pre-recorded package, Irwin shared his nervousness for this week’s dance since although he is one of three stars dancing a Paso Doble, he is the only male celebrity so he knows he will be compared to pros Ballas and Chmerkovskiy. Irwin didn’t let this pressure get to him and gave his all to the dance. While Hough and Inaba did point out a little slip up, both judges praised the routine. The couple earned themselves a 38 out of 40.
It was then time for the iconic DWTS team dances – but with a twist! For the first time in DWTS history, co-hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough each joined a team and competed in the team dances. Team captains were reserved for the two stars who had the lowest scores on last week’s leaderboard, Fishel leading Team Chicago and Richter leading Team Kool. After personally choosing their teams, both teams got to rehearsing!
Team Chicago was up first with a performance to “25 or 6 to 4.” The team led by Fishel, included her partner Pasha Pashkov, Chiles and Sosa, Leavitt and Ballas, Efron and Karagach, and Ribeiro. The team was so perfectly coordinated throughout the dance that the team earned the first perfect score of the whole season!
Team Kool was up next with a performance to “Celebration” by Kool & the Gang. The team led by Richter, included his partner Emma Slater, Irwin and Carson, Earle and Chmerkovskiy, Hendrix and Bersten, and Julianne Hough. Although it was clear the team worked hard, their routine wasn’t nearly as clean as Team Chicago’s. The dance earned the team 38 out 40 possible points.
After the team dances, it was time for the night’s elimination. Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced which couples were safe, which left Leavitt and Ballas, Richter and Slater, and Fishel and Pashkov as the bottom three couples. It was then announced that Fishel and Pashkov were going home.
Episode nine was DWTS 20th Birthday Party Celebration, and it premiered on Tuesday, November 11.