Last night’s episode of “Dancing with the Stars” brought the glitz and glamour of Oscars Night, Hollywood-inspired performances, and a shocking double elimination that has viewers reeling. While Olympic medalist Ilona Maher delivered a memorable “Dirty Dancing” routine, the focus quickly shifted to the bottom line: which celebrities would be leaving the ballroom?
Ilona Maher’s ‘Dirty Dancing’ Salsa Steals the Show
Olympian Ilona Maher and her professional partner, Alan Bersten, lit up the dance floor with a salsa inspired by the iconic film “Dirty Dancing.” For Oscars Night, the pair chose “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life,” and truly embodied the spirit of the movie with their energetic and playful performance. Bersten highlighted salsa as “the perfect dance for Ilona to show her personality and her confidence,” and Maher did not disappoint.
The highlight of their routine was undoubtedly their creative twist on the famous “Dirty Dancing” lift. Maher and Bersten not only executed the traditional lift where Bersten raised Maher, but they also incorporated a moment where the rugby star impressively lifted Bersten. “Everyone online has been saying that they want me to lift Alan, and I think he was like, ‘Let’s do it,'” Maher shared after the performance, showcasing her playful approach. Despite lifts being common in her rugby background, Maher admitted lifting in dance was a different challenge, requiring trust in her partner. The judges were clearly impressed by their innovation and chemistry. Carrie Ann Inaba praised the performance, stating, “Not only was that a moment people will be talking about for years to come, but you are restructuring the whole conversation, you are leading this conversation on what femininity is.”
Ilona Maher’s Scores and Ranking
The judges’ scores reflected their appreciation for Maher’s performance. She received a solid 21 out of 30, with each judge awarding her a seven. Combined with her scores from the previous week, Maher’s total reached 39 out of 60, placing her seventh overall in the competition. While not at the top of the leaderboard, her consistent performance and audience appeal suggest she is a strong contender to watch.
Shocking Double Elimination: Anna Delvey and Tori Spelling Exit DWTS
Despite the excitement of the performances, the evening culminated in a dramatic double elimination. In a surprising turn of events, both former scammer Anna Delvey and actress Tori Spelling were eliminated from “Dancing with the Stars” last night.
The elimination was determined by a combination of the judges’ scores from the first two weeks of competition and viewer votes. This double elimination underscores the high stakes of the competition and the importance of both judge appeal and audience support. For fans of Delvey and Spelling, the elimination was undoubtedly a disappointing end to their “Dancing with the Stars” journey.
How to Watch ‘Dancing with the Stars’
For those wanting to catch all the “Dancing with the Stars” action, the show airs live on Tuesday nights on ABC and Disney+. If you miss the live broadcast, episodes are available for next-day streaming on Hulu. Fans should note there will be no new episode next week, but the show will return the following week with two episodes airing on Monday, Oct. 7th and Tuesday, Oct. 8th, both at 8 p.m. EST.
Who is Ilona Maher?
Ilona Maher is more than just a “Dancing with the Stars” contestant; she is an accomplished athlete and inspiring personality. A professional rugby sevens player and 2024 Olympic bronze medalist from Burlington, Vermont, Maher also competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Beyond her athletic achievements, she is widely recognized for promoting body positivity and empowerment on social media, where she has cultivated a large following of over six million on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. A graduate of Quinnipiac University, where she played rugby and studied nursing, Maher brings a unique blend of athleticism, charisma, and determination to the “Dancing with the Stars” ballroom.
Last night’s “Dancing with the Stars” episode was a rollercoaster of emotions, from the high of Ilona Maher’s captivating performance to the low of a shocking double elimination. As the competition progresses, the stakes are only getting higher, and viewers will be eager to see who will shine and who will stumble in the weeks to come.
