The second week of DWTS means the first elimination. The bottom two couples were revealed and it was up to the judges to save one couple from going home. Plus, Hannah Brown took the top spot on the leaderboard.
Dancing With the Stars is implementing some changes in the second week of season 28. In addition to text voting, the judges will have the power to save one of the bottom two couples. The first pair up is James Van Der Beek and Emma Slater, who earned the top score last week. Their cha-cha is fun and energetic. James can really move those hips! “Another solid performance,” Len Goodman says. However, he admits he is not a fan of the “gimmicks” in the performance. Bruno Tonioli notices that James missed a step but notes he was “so clean and so precise.” Carrie Ann Inaba raves, “It was a really fantastic way to start out the night.” James and Emmas scores: Carrie Ann = 7; Len = 6; and Bruno = 7. Total score = 20.
Next up is Sailor Brinkley Cook and Val Chmerkovskiy. This time around, they have a full week to practice. When Val says that theyre dancing the rumba, a very sexy dance, Sailor says, “My boyfriend is going to kill me.” Their rumba is good but there are no fireworks between them. Bruno gives her some tough love. “You have to play the part as well as dancing it,” he says. Carrie says Sailor is “lacking consistency” but she “moves beautifully.” Len says it was a “really nice performance.” Sailor and Vals scores: Carrie Ann = 6; Len = 6; and Bruno = 6. Total score = 18.
Ray Lewis and Cheryl Burke are dancing the foxtrot this week. Despite the joy on his face, Ray is heavy on his feet. Carrie says that hes “so enjoyable to watch” but there were “tons of mistakes” in his performance. Len notes that Ray was “flat-footed” and its “only your personality thats given you the mark youve got.” Ray and Cheryls scores: Carrie Ann = 5; Len = 5; and Bruno = 5. Total score = 15.
Ally Brooke and Sasha Farber dance the Viennese waltz. Ally opens up about how people were “really mean” to her online when she was in Fifth Harmony and called her the “worst dancer of the group.” Ally admits that the bullying “completely broke my confidence.” Ally and Sashas Viennese waltz is graceful and beautiful. At the end of the performance, Ally starts crying. Len tells her that the performance was “pretty” but “technically it wasnt so good.” Bruno makes sure Ally knows that she can dance and gives her a few criticisms to improve. Carrie Ann comes from behind the judges table and hugs her. Ally and Sashas scores: Carrie Ann = 7; Len = 6; and Bruno = 7. Total score = 20.
Mary Wilson and Brandon Armstrong dance a glamorous cha-cha. Its still so hard to believe shes 75 years old. Carrie Ann brings up that Mary had a “lot of little mistakes.” Len is a fan of Marys and tells her that “its a joy” to see her out there. Mary and Brandons scores: Carrie Ann = 5; Len = 5; and Bruno = 5. Total score = 15. Lauren Alaina and Gleb Savchenko hit the ballroom with a fierce and confident paso doble. Carrie Ann tells Lauren that she was good but she needs consistency throughout the entire performance. Bruno gushes, “I loved it, my darling… It was a very strong and focused performance.” Lauren and Glebs scores: Carrie Ann = 6; Len = 6; and Bruno = 7. Total score = 19.
Sean Spicer and Lindsay Arnold are given a tango this week. Thankfully, Sean decides to leave the neon green ruffled shirt at home this week. The performance is stiff but Lindsay does what she can. Len says it was “better than last week.” Bruno tells the pair, “I actually have to admit, it looked like a tango.” Sean and Lindsays scores: Carrie Ann = 6; Len = 5; and Bruno = 5. Total score = 16.
Karamo Brown and Jenna Johnson slay with a fun and fierce quickstep. Despite some lost body contact, Bruno raves over Karamos “really, really, really good quickstep.” Carrie gushes, “You are electrifying when you come out here on the dance floor.” Len, always the bearer of bad news, admits he wasnt “overstruck on it.” Karamo and Jennas scores: Carrie Ann = 7; Len = 5; and Bruno = 7. Total score = 19.
Kate Flannery and Pasha Pashkov surprise everyone with their incredible foxtrot. Kate really is having a blast on the dance floor. “That was amazing,” Carrie says. “I am blown away by your technique.” Kate even gets a compliment from Len! “You did a wonderful, wonderful job,” he tells her. Kate and Pashas scores: Carrie Ann = 7; Len = 7; and Bruno = 7. Total score = 21.
Kel Mitchell and Witney Carson are given a samba this week. Kel has been dealing with a lot in addition to rehearsals. His dad had brain surgery. Hes OK but its been a stressful week. Their samba is sexy and full of life. “Overall, I thought it was a very good job,” Len says. Bruno notes that Kel has “talent” and Carrie says she can “really see improvement.” Kel and Witneys scores: Carrie Ann = 7; Len = 6; and Bruno = 7. Total score = 20.
The next to last performance of the night comes from Lamar Odom and Peta Murgatroyd. He opens up to he
