Season 33 Episode 3 of Dancing with the Stars brought the iconic vibes of Soul Train to the ballroom, showcasing a night filled with electrifying performances set to legendary soul music. Contestants danced to hits from Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, Alicia Keys, and many more, creating a vibrant tribute to the beloved music and dance show.
Last week’s double elimination sent Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov, along with Anna Delvey and Ezra Sosa, home. Tori and Pasha’s Rumba and Anna and Ezra’s Quickstep placed them at the bottom of the leaderboard, but not without some parting controversy from Anna regarding her experience with judge Julianne Hough. Despite Eric Roberts and Reginald VelJohnson’s lower scores, they survived to dance another week, highlighting the unpredictable nature of viewer votes.
What Went Down on Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 3?
Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 3 Soul Train Night Performances
Photo Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney
Soul Train Night on Dancing With The Stars Season 33 Episode 3 was a spectacular display of talent and energy. The dance styles ranged from Foxtrot and Rumba to Cha-Cha, Jive, and Quickstep, even featuring a Viennese Waltz in the mix. The episode kicked off with a dynamic opening number choreographed by Luam, and the legendary Soul Train alum Popin’ Pete from The Electric Boogaloos graced the stage throughout the night, adding authentic Soul Train flair. The iconic Soul Train Line was a highlight, with hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough, judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli, and guest judge Rosie Perez all joining in the fun.
Rosie Perez, a former Soul Train dancer herself, joined the judging panel as a guest, bringing her expertise and enthusiasm. She emphasized wanting to see the contestants truly “bring the boogie” to their performances, adding an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the night.
Surprise! No Elimination on Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 3
Photo Credit: Christopher Willard/Disney
In a surprising twist, no couple was eliminated during Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 3. Soul Train Night was a reprieve from the usual weekly eliminations. However, the stakes remain high as the scores and viewer votes from this episode will carry over to the next, Hair Metal Night, airing on October 8th. For the upcoming episode, contestants will trade soul for rock as they perform to hair metal anthems.
Adding to the rock and roll energy, KISS legend Gene Simmons will be joining the judges’ panel for Hair Metal Night. While his dance expertise might be debatable, his unique perspective and rock icon status are sure to make for an interesting judging dynamic. The combined scores from Soul Train Night and Hair Metal Night, along with viewer votes from both episodes, will determine who is the next couple to leave the competition.
After Soul Train Night performances, NBA star Dwight Howard and his partner Daniella Karagach, and the beloved Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard. Dwight and Daniella, despite being fan favorites, struggled due to limited rehearsal time for their Cha-Cha. Reginald and Emma, while consistently charming and positive, have been facing challenges with scores, though their endearing partnership continues to win over the audience.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong Shine Brightest on Soul Train Night
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong achieved the top score of the night on Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 3, marking their third week in a row at the top of the leaderboard. The judges awarded them an impressive 36 out of 40 points for their dynamic and innovative Cha-Cha set to Run-DMC’s “It’s Tricky.” Their performance seamlessly blended Cha-Cha with hip-hop elements, perfectly embodying the Soul Train spirit.
Carrie Ann Inaba praised their partnership and commitment, stating, “You guys together, that was partnership. That was such great commitment. Amazing partnership. Cool vibe. All of the above.” Guest judge Rosie Perez was equally impressed, saying, “Your routine personified the feeling of soul and Soul Train… Your musicality was there, your rhythm was there, and your passion was there.” She even playfully encouraged Chandler to “let your sexuality explode,” highlighting the captivating energy of their performance.
Derek Hough lauded Brandon’s choreography, noting the successful fusion of Cha-Cha and soul elements. Bruno Tonioli compared Chandler to Zendaya Coleman, a former DWTS contestant, recognizing her “star quality” and technical skill.
Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 3: Judges’ Score Breakdown
Here’s a rundown of the judges’ scores from Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 3:
- Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Cha-Cha) – 36 points
- Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Jive) – 34 points
- Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Viennese Waltz) – 31 points
- Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Foxtrot) – 30 points
- Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Foxtrot) – 30 points
- Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy (Quickstep) – 30 points
- Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Quickstep) – 30 points
- Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko (Rumba) – 28 points
- Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart (Foxtrot) – 24 points
- Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Cha-Cha) – 23 points
- Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater (Foxtrot) – 21 points
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson’s Jive was another standout performance of the night. Joey’s confidence shone through, even incorporating a backflip into their routine. Carrie Ann Inaba celebrated his performance, saying, “You are so talented! It was so sharp, so clean, every movement crisp.” Rosie Perez also acknowledged Joey’s “boogie” skills and “amazing” sex appeal, making their Jive one of the most memorable routines of the episode.
Bachelorette star Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber brought the heat with a sexy Viennese Waltz. Judges Carrie Ann and Julianne playfully hinted at off-ballroom chemistry between Jenn and Sasha, and the couple finally earned well-deserved high scores. Danny Amendola and Witney Carson’s Foxtrot also impressed, with Danny showcasing more personality and suave charm than in previous weeks. The judges expressed surprise at Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach landing at the bottom, with Carrie Ann stating their performance was “hard to watch” and suggesting more rehearsal time was needed.
Final Verdict on Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 3
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko’s Rumba, despite Alfonso Ribeiro’s hype, received mixed reviews. Judges noted a lack of connection in Brooks’ movements, though Derek Hough humorously declared the steamy performance “made me pregnant.” Brooks’ reaction to her scores seemed to indicate her own disappointment.
Bruno Tonioli’s hilarious comment comparing Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy to “extras in Boogie Nights” was another highlight of the night, showcasing the show’s signature blend of dance and entertainment.
Looking ahead to Hair Metal Night and the upcoming elimination, Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater appear to be in jeopardy. Despite their popularity and Reginald’s infectious enthusiasm, their scores consistently place them at the bottom. Carrie Ann Inaba’s emotional critique, expressing her fondness for their partnership, hinted at the bittersweet reality of the competition. However, as Tori Spelling’s elimination proved, surprises can happen.
To see who will be eliminated on Hair Metal Night, tune in to Dancing with the Stars Season 33 on Tuesday, October 8th at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN – WHAT WERE YOUR THOUGHTS ON DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 33, EPISODE 3? WHICH DANCE ROUTINE GRABBED YOUR ATTENTION THE MOST? AND WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE LEAVING THE BALLROOM NEXT?
