“Dancing with the Stars” had a rockin’ evening in the ballroom as the dancers performed to songs by Queen.
The night included energized dance routines and a competitive relay round.
Amanda Kloots and Alan Bersten (Jive)
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8, 9 (33/40)
Broadway performer and television talk-show host Amanda Kloots danced a lively Jive to “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
I loved her energy when she had quicker movements. She had a great smile and stage presence, and, as always, good footwork and technique.
Kloots’ energy died down a bit during slower movements and turns, and she should work on keeping it up during those sections next week.
Olivia Jade and Val Chmerkovskiy (Quickstep)
Judges’ scores: 10, 8, 10, 10 (38/40)
YouTube influencer Olivia Jade performed a fun Quickstep to “Fat Bottomed Girls.”
Jade kept a strong frame and hold despite the fast choreography. She also seemed more open and free with her personality.
I’d like to see her work on using her hands as an extension of the arms to help with the overall shape of her movements.
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Iman Shumpert and Daniella Karagach (Paso Doble)
Judges’ scores: 9, 7, 8, 8 (32/40)
Basketball player Iman Shumpert danced a powerful Paso Doble to “Another One Bites the Dust.”
Shumpert is different from other male athletes who have competed on the show. He has a swag about him, and although he doesn’t have the best technique, he has a natural groove.
He should continue to work on extending the arms when they are above his head to make sure he has a clean Latin dance line.
Jimmie Allen and Emma Slater (Viennese Waltz)
Judges’ scores: 9, 9, 10, 10 (38/40)
Country music star Jimmie Allen performed an elegant Viennese Waltz to “Somebody to Love.”
He had good rhythm, and his partnering skills were amazing. He is definitely feeling more comfortable in leading his partner.
Allen should improve on making his upper body more open and expressive.
The Miz and Witney Carson (Foxtrot)
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8, 8 (32/40)
WWE star The Miz danced a fluid Foxtrot to “Radio Ga Ga.”
He had expressive arm movements and decent footwork.
Sadly, The Miz was eliminated from the competition after the judges chose to save JoJo Siwa.
JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy (Tango)
Judges’ scores: 10, 9, 10, 10 (39/40)
“Dance Moms” star JoJo Siwa performed a fierce Tango to “Body Language.”
This dance was powerful and controlled, and as judge Bruno Tonioli mentioned, it was a “supermodel” tango. It really showed that Siwa is transitioning and maturing into a woman.
I’d like to see her improve on creating a distinction between the quicker and slower movements.
Suni Lee and Sasha Farber (Paso Doble)
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 8, 9 (33/40)
Olympic gymnast Suni Lee danced a softer Paso Doble to “We Will Rock You.”
Lee has a great sense of rhythm and timing, and I liked how a sharper dance like the Paso was made more elegant while still maintaining the power. Kudos to her for dancing while sick.
For next week, Lee should work on her confidence. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba thought she saw a slip, and confidence will help her with keeping her balance.
Cody Rigsby and Cheryl Burke (Foxtrot)
Judges’ scores: 8, 8, 9, 9 (34/40)
Famous fitness guru Cody Rigsby performed a moving Foxtrot to “You’re My Best Friend.”
It was nice to see a more calm and controlled side of Rigby. It shows how the power of a personal story — in Rigsby’s case, the death of a friend — can influence the way you express yourself through movement.
Rigby should improve on timing, as he had an awkward arm placement while waiting for his partner to turn.
Melora Hardin and Artem Chigvintsev (Foxtrot)
Judges’ scores: 9, 9, 9, 9 (36/40)
Actress Melora Hardin danced a powerful Foxtrot to “Killer Queen.”
She nailed the acting, and Chigvintsev’s’s choreography matched the mood of the dance well. It was like she was dancing at a royal ball.
I would like to see Hardin work on her balance, making sure she’s stabilizing herself and not fully depending on her partner to hold her up.
Relay Round
Because the show is two hours, and there are less and less regular dances after couples are eliminated each week, the show had its first relay round of the season.
The couples were put into groups of three with each group having an assigned dance style that the couples have already learned and an assigned song. They performed one right after the other as the song continued to play.
Jive relay (The Miz, Iman Shumpert, Cody Rigsby)
Judges’ scores: Iman Shumpert and Cody Rigsby got two bonus points
The Miz, Iman Shumpert and Cody Rigsby were instructed to perform a Jive to “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.”
The Miz brought the energy and character, Shumpert brought the groove and Rigsby brought the technique.
I would give my bonus point to Rigsby because he had the best balance of energy and technique.
Foxtrot relay (JoJo Siwa, Olivia Jade, Jimmie Allen)
Judges’ scores: Olivia Jade got four bonus points
JoJo Siwa, Olivia Jade and Jimmie Allen were instructed to dance a Foxtrot to “Under Pressure.”
Siwa was calm and controlled, Jade was elegant and Allen was poised.
I agree with the judges’ decision because Jade improved the most from the last time she did a Foxtrot.
Viennese Waltz relay (Amanada Kloots, Suni Lee, Melora Hardin)
Judges’ scores: Amanda Kloots got one bonus point, Suni Lee got one bonus point, Melora Hardin got two bonus points
Amanda Kloots, Suni Lee and Melora Hardin were instructed to perform a Viennese Waltz to “We Are the Champions.”
Kloots had great footwork, Lee had expressive movement and Hardin had great turns at the end.
This group was the strongest and the most consistent out of the three relay groups.
I would give my bonus point to Lee Because she was able to break out of her shell and really be open in her movement.
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