Last week’s back-to-back episodes were full of guest judges and iconic songs. “Soul Train Night” and “Hair Metal Night” aired with Rosie Perez, former dancer on “Soul Train,” and Gene Simmons, frontman of KISS, each delivering eccentric comments and fluctuating scores.
Some of this season’s couples shuffled from top to bottom and vice versa, but all showed more skills and determination in the fight for their place on the dance floor. Refresh your memory of Weeks One and Two here.
With a combination of each night’s scores and the fans’ votes, two couples were eliminated. Here’s a recap of the top and bottom scores, as well as the top and bottom costumes from each night.
Also, tune in tonight for Week Four, “Dedication Night,” with guest judge Mark Dallas, a retired pro whose last Mirrorball win was alongside Charlie D’Amelio in Season 31.
Top Scores
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (COMBINED SCORE 70)
With no surprise, Graziadei and Johnson were on top this week. Dancing a jive and a tango just shows how far Graziadei has come in his skill in order to surpass the other couples to the top. Fans have been entranced in each routine and convinced in his love for the craft alongside his ability to make it all look fun.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (COMBINED SCORE 69)
Kinney’s skill continues to improve, which is getting harder and harder to do. There, of course, are things to learn; after all, we aren’t all pro dancers. But it is refreshing to see Kinney have things to work on so that she can become relatable to the voters. Viewers want to see growth in a budding performer.
Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (COMBINED SCORE 62)
Despite having so many paso doble performances on night two, Tran stole the show. This routine was full of moves that were true to the style and equally challenging. The Viennese waltz the previous night was impressive and incredibly detail-oriented. The other couples need to keep an eye out for Farber’s choreography as it seems to be showing more intensity as the weeks go on.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (COMBINED SCORE 62)
Nedoroscik’s lightheartedness and positivity brings a certain element into his performances. He’s a talented dancer, however his gymnastic training often shows in the ballroom. Every critique is visibly worked on as soon as it is pointed out. Songs are also such a large part of a routine, and Arnold wasn’t the only pro who showed their talents in a match-up of such conflicting tempos.
Bottom Scores
Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater (COMBINED SCORE 42)
Unfortunately, I do think it was VelJohnson’s time to go. He did a wonderful job showing that no matter how old you are, there are still skills left to learn and fun left to bring. Every routine was a little more complicated than the last, and isn’t that all we can ask for? His performances were moving to fans and judges alike, and he may go down as the sweetest partner on the show.
Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart (COMBINED SCORE 46)
Roberts showed a different side to competing. The effort that turned into enjoyment for him was amazing to witness and showed that if you make your journey in your own time, it’s still a journey. Roberts shared from the beginning that he was simply just happy to get this opportunity, and the family of Dancing with the Stars seemed more than happy to provide that for him.
Dwight Howard and Danielle Karagach (COMBINED SCORE 52)
This may come as a shock, but Howard being on the bottom of the leaderboard is valid.
His performance on night one plummeted his overall score, and he just couldn’t recover. He still put in every ounce of effort he had, despite maybe making up moves and covering mistakes with playful facial expressions. But a comeback dance is always on the horizon; for Howard, his paso doble provided the opportunity to show technical skill to make up for inventing sections the night before.
Top Costumes: Soul Train Night
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten
I couldn’t help but be reminded of the costumes in “Welcome to the 60s” from the 2007 hit movie, “Hairspray.” The light pink color worked well, despite a lot of vibrant colors from other couples. The style of the dress complimented the foxtrot’s elegance. I can’t really explain it, but if votes were given on costumes alone, Maher and Bersten would have top scores all around.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong
This cha-cha was so fresh with moves and outfits. From top to bottom and beginning to end, Kinney and Armstrong showed their commitment to the theme, and I can always appreciate a tear-away pants moment. The hot pink and almost navy tracksuit was so important and meaningful to consider alongside song choice and style.
Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy
Parks has finally made it to the recap, and rightfully so because the ‘fits for this night were so fun and funky. I loved the hot pink and white color schemes going from the shirt and suit on Chmerkovskiy to the dress and hair on Parks. And I would love to point out that Chmerkovskiy had curly hair for this routine, which I know personally is a fan favorite.
Top Costumes: Hair Metal Night
Joey Grazieadei and Jenna Johnson
Not only was this performance so well done, but the costumes were also incredibly on point. We had many wigs in night two; however, Grazieadei’s felt the most realistic and part of the persona he was trying to portray. The burning red of Johnson’s dress was almost as much a part of the performance as the moves were. A tango alongside these costumes was the perfect combination.
Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy
Parks and Chmerkovskiy’s chemistry is something else, and their costumes only enhanced this feeling. I’m a big fan of a paso doble and its signature moves, but when you add a half skirt for big gestures, it makes the entire performance even more immersive. There’s also something to be said about their matching hair really sealing the look.
Bottom Costumes: Soul Train Night
Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber
Tran can pull off almost any look in partnership to any style of dance. This Viennese waltz was complemented beautifully by Tran and Farber’s long and silky attire, but it could be worn every day. There was so much potential to go with such an era that was heavily influenced by clothing.
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko
Nader and Savchenko may have the voters fooled with their on-screen chemistry, but not with their costumes. This being a themed night, the costume could’ve been a little more brave. The white slitted dress and suit could’ve been worn for any night and any style of dance. The halter neckline is always a favorite of mine, but I want to see more from them.
Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart
I am by no means saying I don’t like this costume, because I absolutely love the velvet and maroon color scheme throughout, but I remember Roberts may have worn something similar already. Maybe he requested it because it does in fact look very dapper. Although Stewart’s dress was stunning, I feel like it could’ve followed the theme a little more closely.
Bottom Costumes: Hair Metal Night
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko
I’m unfortunately calling this duo to the bottom costume rank, again. The only piece that I was relating to was Savchenko’s wig, and he wasn’t even the only person to make this choice. The denim is a nice touch; however, it did not immerse me in the storytelling.
Reginal VelJohnson and Emma Slater
The green cheetah print was cute, just not my style. I think the most memorable part of this dance was the amount of head-banging Slater was committing to. The costumes suited more to the cha-cha style they were performing rather than to the theme of the night.
ELIMINATED: VelJohnson and Slater; Roberts and Stewart
One of the most evident moves that the producers need to make is to create a “golden edition” of Dancing with the Stars, just like they have done for the Golden Bachelorette. They previously had a “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors,” and it’s in their best interest to continue this to the older generation.
VelJohnson and Roberts gave their everything to their performances, but it just wasn’t enough to compete with the other couples. Fans voted these two actors into the fourth night because of their warm personality and eagerness to do their best.
I can’t wait to be blown away each week by these stars. Themed nights won’t be going anywhere, and I’ll be right here to call out any costume that doesn’t commit. It’ll be hard to see another couple leave this week, but I am happy to say each contestant has come so far already that I want them all to win.
Where to watch: Live on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 7 p.m. CT and next day on Hulu.
