Dancing With the Stars gave its fans another gift: a new weekly episode. This week’s theme was individual to each dancer, with every star forming a dance around their most memorable year.
It was an amazing episode, with the quality and intensity of the dances getting better every single week. With the deep emotions, it was jam-packed with contemporary dances, and the episode was lacking slightly in ballroom dancing.
Mira and Gleb kicked off the night with a contemporary dance to “Time After Time” alongside her daughter, Mattea Backus, who is actually a dancer. The dance itself was fine, slightly cheesy and simple, but with a sweet theme and connection among the dancers. It was odd that Mattea was on stage with her mom, as no one else had extra dancers, but Mattea’s dancing was a beautiful addition. Mira got two scores of 7 and one of 8, which was generous when compared to other dances who scored 8’s.
The second pair on the stage was Ariana and Pasha, who danced a Viennese Waltz, commemorating the year 2023 when Ariana faced an incredibly popular scandal when her partner of nine years cheated on her with her best friend. Ariana was graceful and had an incredible costume. There was a little too much of Ariana standing on her own, rather than partnering, and it lacked some emotion. However, Ariana is one of the most consistent dancers on the show while improving each week, and she looked like a dancer, not a celebrity trying to dance.
Charity and Artem danced another contemporary dance, and it was arguably the best of the night. The pair danced on a pole, incorporating another level of challenge. The dance commemorated the year Charity went on The Bachelor, and her past toxic relationship. The song was “Lose You to Love Me,” and Charity’s emotion and depth was on another level. Artem’s choreography was beautiful, their connection the piece and each other was amazing, and it earned them the first 10 of the season, which was well deserved.
Alyson and Sasha were up next, dancing a Viennese Waltz. The dance was good, but nothing incredibly memorable. Alyson is staying constant while other dancers improve, leaving her consistently at the bottom of the leaderboard.
Harry and Rylee stepped onto the stage next with a touching contemporary piece. Harry and Rylee are definitely winning in the public eye, but their dances are keeping them on the bottom of the judge’s leaderboard. Harry is very stiff, and really does minimal dancing. He mainly lifts Rylee, which is challenging in and of itself, but she almost dances around him.
In the middle of the show, present and past pros danced a beautiful tribute to past head judge Len Goodman, who died of cancer a few months ago. The dance was choreographed by Val and Jenna, and included judge Derek Hough and host Julianne Hough. It brought members of the audience, both at the ballroom and at home, to tears.
Jason and Daniella followed up the tribute with a dance dedicated to the year Jason began his music journey. They danced a quickstep, one of the ballroom dances, and had both great costumes and dancing. Last week, Jason’s dance was slower, but he got back to his bouncy and cheerful dancing this week, which is here he thrives. It wasn’t showstopping like his jive was or some of the other dances performed, but it was solid and he is still one of the best dancers this season, something affirmed by Carrie-Ann Inaba.
Lele and Brandon were next up. They performed another contemporary dance about Lele’s mental health journey. The dance was solid, but felt a little stilted and the choreography didn’t flow as well as it could have. Lele had great rhythm, yet she still lacks some of the refinement other dancers have achieved.
Xochitl and Val had a showstopping number celebrating Xochitl’s quincenera that never happened. Her costume was amazing, and their dance was classy without being boring. The connection Val has with her displays every time they dance, and out of all the dancers, Xochitl really is the full package: poised, yet passionate. They also received the second 10 of the night.
Emma and Mauricio ended off the night with a contemporary dance that was one of their strongest dances. Every week, Mauricio is underscored. His partnership with Emma is one of the best and he has solid technique, good performance and a smooth delivery of the choreography. He was very in touch with his emotions, and overall, was one of the better performances of the night.
Mira and Gleb were on the chopping block, which was sad, but unsurprising. Her dancing lacked sparkle and energy, and she never rose to the top of the leaderboard.
