With only six celebrities to go, would Monday night’s Dancing with the Stars provide some breathing room for the favorites, or produce another upset?
The remaining stars’ scores have all been fairly consistent, so it remained anyone’s Mirror Ball to win or lose … but boy, can this show deliver a shocker.
The stakes and emotions were particularly high in the ballroom as the remaining six couples each had to dance not once, but twice Monday.
First, individual routines – except Tamar Braxton, who was hospitalized and missed hers – and then paired routines matched in sets of two.
Amazingly, Tamar made it back for the latter, thus saving herself a legally mandated Kim Zolciak elimination-like ouster… but did it matter?
Was it enough to save her from the chopping block?
It was. And you will not believe who got the boot …
Derek Hough and Bindi Irwin continued their domination of the dance floor, while Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas also had a terrific night.
Alexa’s husband, Carlos PenaVega, didn’t do as well with a Justin Bieber-themed tango, perhaps since everything Bieber touches is cursed.
Coming in one point ahead of Carlos and Witney were Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess, who wowed the crowd with their tight quickstep.
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold continued to struggle, though at least they did better than Tamar, who hadn’t shown up at that point.
When it came time for the Showstopper routines, Alexa and Mark as well as Bindi and Derek killed it with a Chicago-inspired Charleston.
They landed a perfect 30, while Alec and Lindsay, along with Carlos and Witney, fell short with a paso doble to “We Will Rock You” by Queen.
Then, in a stunning twist, Tamar made it there to join Val, Nick, and Sharna for a rumba inspired by Cirque du Soleil’s Beatles show, Love.
The mere fact that pneumonia-addled Tamar made it to the stage was impressive – and directly led to one of the most shocking results ever.
Dancing with the Stars’ scoreboard from Showstopper Night:
- Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough (Viennese waltz): 30/30
- Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas (Contemorary): 30/30
- Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess (Quickstep): 28/30
- Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson (Argentine tango): 27/30
- Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold (Salsa): 24/30
- Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy (Contemporary): 22/30
Pretty clear hierarchy, yes? Either Alek or Tamar would go, no?
Oh no. We audibly gasped as Alexa PenaVega, who had just earned TWO perfect scores, would be going home this week. In tears, naturally.
“I wish it had been me,” her husband Carlos whispered in her ear.
“It’s okay,” Alexa said. “I’m just so happy we ended on this note.”
Amazing. Simply no words to describe this night in the ballroom.
What do you think? Did the right couple get eliminated? And who will take home the Mirror Ball title later this fall on Dancing with the Stars?
