Dancing with the Stars Season 33 reached a monumental milestone with its 500th episode in Episode 8, a celebration of the show’s rich history. The theme of the night was centered around iconic routines from past seasons, challenging each celebrity and pro partner to not only recreate but also reimagine and inject their own flair into legendary dances. Coming off the heels of last week’s “Halloween Nightmares” episode, which saw the bittersweet elimination of Bachelorette star Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber after what many considered her best performance, the stakes were higher than ever as the competition tightened heading into the semi-finals.
Episode 8 was structured with two major challenges for each couple: an individual performance where they put their spin on a memorable DWTS routine, and the always-nerve-wracking Instant Dance Challenge. In this pressure-cooker segment, the duos were given their song and dance style a mere five minutes before taking the stage, testing their adaptability and recall of previously learned choreography. The Instant Dance styles were randomly selected from dances they had already performed earlier in the season, adding another layer of complexity to the night.
Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the episode opened with a spectacular pro number choreographed by Pasha Pashkov and Daniella Karagach to Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s iconic hit, “Crazy in Love.” This song held special significance as it was the opening number for the very first episode of Dancing with the Stars in 2005, a fitting tribute to the show’s longevity. Adding star power to the performance, judge Derek Hough and DWTS co-host Julianne Hough joined the professional dancers on the floor. Fans were also delighted to see the return of former DWTS pro Sharna Burgess, making her first ballroom appearance since Season 30. Host Alfonso Ribeiro also took a moment to fondly remember former head judge Len Goodman, adding a touch of sentimentality to the landmark episode.
Dwight Howard DWTS
However, amidst the celebrations, Episode 8 delivered a shocking elimination. Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach were the couple sent home, a decision that surprised many viewers. Their journey came to an end despite a night that began with promise. For their individual routine, Dwight and Daniella delivered a powerful Argentine Tango set to “Santa Maria (Del Buen Ayre)” by the Gotan Project. This performance was a homage to James Hinchliffe and Sharna Burgess’s sensual Season 23 Argentine Tango, a high bar to reach. Dwight and Daniella’s rendition incorporated impressive lifts, showcasing Dwight’s strength and Daniella’s innovative choreography.
The judges offered constructive criticism. Bruno Tonioli pointed out challenges with the traditional Tango stride, acknowledging how Dwight’s height sometimes impacted the flow, but praised their overall execution. Carrie Ann Inaba commended their creative solutions for navigating their height difference and appreciated Dwight’s commitment and strength in the routine, though she expressed a desire to see more “dancing” from him beyond the lifts and tricks. Ultimately, their Argentine Tango earned them a score of 26 out of 30.
Their Instant Dance challenge presented a Paso Doble to “Victorious” by Panic at the Disco. This performance, unfortunately, faced more significant critiques. Judges noted issues with oval shaping, timing inconsistencies, and a visible slip involving Daniella’s skirt. The Paso Doble scored them 22 out of 30, contributing to their lower overall score for the night. Despite the elimination, Dwight expressed gratitude for his experience and praised Daniella as an “amazing partner,” highlighting the personal growth he experienced on the show.
On the opposite end of the leaderboard, Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong continued their reign as top contenders, securing the highest scores of the night in Dancing With The Stars Season 33 Episode 8. Building on their previous week’s tie for first place, Chandler and Brandon delivered a breathtaking Argentine Tango set to “Para Te” by Apart. Their performance paid tribute to Season 16 champions Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler, another iconic DWTS pairing known for their Argentine Tango prowess. Chandler and Brandon’s dance was lauded for its sensuality, drama, and technical brilliance.
Derek Hough himself was effusive in his praise, stating he even preferred their rendition to his and Kellie’s original routine, calling it “smooth as silk” and “slick.” Bruno Tonioli was left breathless, comparing Chandler to the legendary Cyd Charisse, noting her ability to blend “beauty and danger.” Carrie Ann Inaba went even further, declaring Chandler potentially the “most powerful female dancer” she had ever witnessed on the DWTS floor. Their Argentine Tango earned them a perfect score of 30 out of 30, marking the first perfect score of Season 33.
They continued their dominance in the Instant Dance Cha-Cha to “Apple” by Charli XCX. Derek Hough exclaimed, “Chandler, you ate that, and left no crumbs,” while Bruno Tonioli declared it “the dance of a winner.” Chandler and Brandon once again achieved a perfect score of 30 out of 30 for their Instant Dance, solidifying their top position with a combined score of 60 out of 60 for the night.
Here’s a breakdown of the judges’ scores from DWTS Season 33 Episode 8, including both individual and Instant Dance scores:
- Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Argentine Tango and Cha-Cha) – 60
- Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Argentine Tango and Rumba) – 55
- Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Viennese Waltz and Jive) – 54
- Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Quickstep and Salsa) – 52
- Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Quickstep and Jive) – 51
- Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Argentine Tango and Paso Doble) – 48
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson delivered a memorable Quickstep to Royal Crown Revue’s “Hey Pachuco,” inspired by Season 5 Mirrorball champions Hélio Castroneves and Julianne Hough. Danny expressed his desire to “dance his ass off and have fun,” and his energetic and entertaining performance, complete with hat choreography, resonated with viewers and judges alike.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold paid tribute to Season 31 winners Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas with their Viennese Waltz. The presence of Mark Ballas in rehearsals, offering guidance to Stephen, undoubtedly added to the performance. Derek Hough praised the dance for its beauty and emotional depth, highlighting Stephen’s growth throughout the season and showcasing a previously unseen emotional side.
As Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Episode 8 concluded, the focus shifted to the upcoming semi-finals. With former winners and pros in the audience celebrating the 500th episode, the anticipation for the next stage of the competition is palpable. Each remaining couple will perform both a ballroom and a Latin routine in the semi-finals, vying for a coveted spot in the finale and a chance to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Chandler and Brandon, along with Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, are clearly positioned as front-runners, consistently dominating the leaderboard. Stephen and Rylee also appear to be strong contenders for a finale spot.
The looming question is which couple will be eliminated just before the finals. The original article suggests it might be a close call between Danny and Ilona. While Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten’s Quickstep was energetic, their Instant Dance round had a near mishap, with Bruno Tonioli commenting on near “crash-landings.” Both Danny and Ilona have shown week-to-week inconsistency in scores and performance. The semi-finals will undoubtedly be a crucial showdown, determining who will dance for the Mirrorball in the Dancing with the Stars Season 33 finale.
Watch Dancing with the Stars Season 33 on Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
What were your thoughts on Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 8? Which iconic routine reimagining was your favorite? And who are you rooting for to make it to the finals?
