Get ready for a wild ride as we dive into the eighth week of 'Dancing With The Stars'! The air is electric with anticipation, and the ballroom is about to rock with some legendary tunes. But here's where it gets controversial... even the fan-favorite team competition couldn't save one beloved duo from an unexpected elimination on Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night.
SPOILER ALERT: Brace yourself for some shocking twists and turns!
The remaining eight pairs are ready to shake things up with routines set to iconic rock anthems. And what a lineup we have! From Bon Jovi to Elton John, these stars are bringing their A-game. But wait, there's more! Public Enemy's Flava Flav joins as a guest judge, adding an extra layer of excitement to the competition.
Let's dive into the performances and see who sizzled and who fizzled.
Reality TV Star Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach: These two are on a mission to score that elusive 10 after some solid performances last week. Despite Efron's broken nose, they delivered a jive to Elton John's 'I'm Still Standing' that left the judges, especially Flava Flav, absolutely fabulous! Their score? A jaw-dropping 36 out of 40, with Flav's 10 pushing them over the edge.
Social Media Sensation Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy: Still riding high from their near-perfect score last week, this dynamic duo took on Bon Jovi's 'Livin' On a Prayer' with a fiery Paso Doble. Even the rockstar himself sent a video message of luck! And luck they had, as the judges devoured their performance. Tonioli warned Chmerkovskiy, 'Be careful, she's almost too hot to handle!' Their score? An impressive 39 out of 40, with Flav as the lone 9.
Comedic Legend Andy Richter and Emma Slater: Richter got emotional this week as he discussed his contemporary dance with Slater, set to The Beach Boys' 'God Only Knows.' The pro dancer described it as a celebration of their friendship. Richter, always committed to giving his best, delivered a heartfelt performance. Derek Hough thanked him for embracing the process. Their score? A respectable 30 out of 40, with Flav adding another 9 to the mix!
Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas: Fresh off their monster-thon win, this pair kept the momentum going with a Paso Doble to Ozzy Osbourne's 'No More Tears.' The judges were stunned by their electric routine, with Derek Hough gushing, 'That Paso rocked! It was classic, edgy, perfectly entangled, and totally metal!' Despite Carrie Ann Inaba's slightly more reserved praise, they scored an impressive 39 out of 40.
Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov: The 'Boy Meets World' star aimed to bring more emotion to her contemporary dance to Aerosmith's 'Dream On.' While the judges appreciated her effort, Derek Hough noted it felt a bit disjointed. Still, Fishel should be proud of her performance and the positive comments she received. Their score? A solid 34 out of 40.
Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten: After an injury last week, Hendrix returned with a Viennese Waltz to Dionne Warwick's 'What the World Needs Now Is Love.' Despite a few days off due to her rib injury, she delivered a sumptuous performance, according to Tonioli. Their score? A respectable 37 out of 40, including their first ever 10 from Flava Flav!
Olympic Champion Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa: Chiles had some issues with the harness last week, but she and Sosa were determined to bounce back. Their jazz routine to Ike and Tina Turner's 'River Deep - Mountain High' ended with Chiles on the judges' table and the ballroom on their feet! Inaba shouted, 'You're ballsy! This one paid off!' Their score? A sizzling 38 out of 40.
Wildlife Warrior Robert Irwin and Witney Carson: Having scored two 10s last week, the pressure was on for Irwin and Carson. Their Paso Doble to The White Stripes' 'Icky Thump' did not disappoint. Derek Hough told Irwin, 'You owned this arena!' Their score? Another impressive 38 out of 40.
Now, onto the team dance round! Leavitt and Ballas, with the highest total judges' points this season, earned immunity for next week's dance challenge.
For the team dance, Julianne Hough joined Team Kool, dancing to 'Celebration' by Kool and the Gang, while Alfonso Ribeiro was on Team Chicago, dancing to '25 or 6 to 4' by Chicago. Both bands performed live on stage, adding an extra layer of excitement.
Team Chicago's Bond-inspired dance had Flava Flav raving, 'The bomb diggity, baby!' They scored a perfect 40 out of 40. Team Kool also had the judges on their feet, but Derek admitted the other team was technically tighter. Still, they had swagger. As Flav put it, 'Team Kool was cooler than four blocks of ice cubes.' Their score? A close 38 out of 40.
As the competition heats up, the eliminations become tougher. And this week's elimination was a shocker! Danielle Fishel and Pasha Pashkov were sent home, leaving everyone in disbelief.
Next week, 'Dancing With The Stars' celebrates its 20th anniversary! Get ready for a star-studded celebration and more unforgettable performances.
And there you have it, folks! A thrilling week of dancing, drama, and surprises. Who do you think will take home the mirrorball trophy? Let us know in the comments, and don't forget to tune in next week for more dancing magic!
