This Tuesday, “Dancing With the Stars” celebrated its 20th birthday, and it felt like a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Former host Tom Bergeron, who left the show in 2020, returned as a guest judge. He joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli, while Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough took turns co-hosting. It was great to see Tom back on the stage.
The episode featured a mix of familiar faces, with original pros dancing in the opening number and past champions joining for relay dances. The tension was high as two couples competed, switching partners midway, making every performance unpredictable.
This twist added a fresh excitement. Current contestants paired with past winners faced off in unique relay competitions, adding a layer of challenge. Viewers were thrilled to see how this gamble paid off for the dancers.
SAFE: Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten
DANCE STYLE: Salsa
Despite nursing an old rib injury, Elaine dazzled with her salsa, showcasing impressive spins and energy. While some transitions felt choppy, she handled the choreography well. Judges gave her performance a score of 36 out of 40.
SAFE: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
DANCE STYLE: Foxtrot
Robert’s emotional foxtrot had everyone in tears. He expressed his feelings perfectly, earning a perfect score of 40 out of 40, the first of the season. His passion shone through every move, leaving a lasting impression.
SAFE: Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach
DANCE STYLE: Argentine Tango
Dylan’s tango was technically sound, but it lacked the passionate spark that would elevate it. The judges, however, still saw potential and awarded a score of 40. They also won their relay dance with Rumer Willis.
SAFE: Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa
DANCE STYLE: Cha-Cha
Jordan added her own flair to the cha-cha with some playful expressions. However, her performance was somewhat disrupted by casual moves, leading to a score of 37.
SAFE: Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy
DANCE STYLE: Foxtrot
Alix’s foxtrot was charming, full of joy and lightness. Judges praised her facial expressions and awarded her a perfect score of 40. She’s clearly growing in confidence each week!
SAFE: Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas
DANCE STYLE: Argentine Tango
Whitney’s tango was beautifully executed, demonstrating confident movements that matched the dramatic music. The judges loved her performance, granting her a solid score of 40.
ELIMINATED: Andy Richter and Emma Slater
DANCE STYLE: Quickstep
Andy stepped up to the challenge with his quickstep but struggled with the fast pace. Though his performance wasn’t perfect, he showed dedication and growth. He received a score of 29 but faced elimination this week.
As the competition heats up, fans are buzzing on social media, sharing their favorite moments and who they hope will take home the Mirrorball trophy. With so much talent on display, it’s anyone’s game.
