The milestone 500th episode of “Dancing with the Stars” Season [Current Season, if known, otherwise omit] was packed with excitement, including a standout performance and, of course, a tearful goodbye. Fans tuned in to see which couples would make it through to the semi-finals, and which celebrity’s dancing journey would end. This week, the pressure was higher than ever as the remaining contestants battled it out with routines inspired by iconic DWTS moments and a challenging instant dance round.
One of the night’s biggest highlights was Ilona Maher, the rugby star from Burlington, Vermont, who truly shone in the ballroom. After a disappointing Halloween Night performance, Maher and her partner, Alan Bersten, came back with a vengeance.
Ilona Maher’s Redemption: A Perfect Score Almost Achieved
Maher and Bersten delivered a Quickstep to “Chuck Berry” by Pharrell Williams, a song previously danced to by Season 25 winners Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold. Taking on such an iconic routine was a bold move, and Maher admitted feeling the pressure to redeem herself after a previous setback.
“To live up to this iconic dance is a tough task to take on, but it’s the perfect task to redeem ourselves,” Maher stated before her performance.
Alt text: Dynamic pose of Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten performing a Quickstep on Dancing with the Stars, showcasing energy and precision.
The judges were clearly impressed. Carrie Ann Inaba awarded Maher a perfect ten, while Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli both gave nines, bringing their Quickstep score to an impressive 28 out of 30. This near-perfect score marked Maher’s first ten of the season and a significant improvement from the previous week.
Instant Dance Challenge: Salsa Heat
Adding to the pressure, the couples also faced an instant dance challenge. Just minutes before taking the stage again, they had to perform a randomly assigned dance style to a new song. Maher and Bersten drew the Salsa and danced to “Da’Dip” by Freak Nasty.
Alt text: Energetic shot of Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten in the middle of a Salsa routine on Dancing with the Stars, highlighting their vibrant costumes and synchronized movement.
While not as high as her Quickstep score, Maher still earned a solid 24 out of 30 for her Salsa, with all three judges awarding eights. Her combined score for the night was 52 out of 60, placing her fourth overall for the evening.
Who Was Eliminated on Dancing With The Stars Tonight?
Despite Ilona Maher’s strong performance and high scores, “Dancing with the Stars” is a competition where every vote counts, and ultimately, someone had to leave. This week, the celebrity who was eliminated from Dancing with the Stars was former NBA player Dwight Howard.
Alt text: Portrait of Dwight Howard, former NBA player, during his time on Dancing with the Stars, expressing a contemplative mood.
The elimination is determined by a combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes. While Howard brought energy and enthusiasm to the dance floor, it wasn’t enough to keep him in the competition. His departure means that five couples remain to compete in the upcoming semi-final round.
Don’t Miss the Semi-Finals
The competition is heating up as we head towards the finale! Make sure to tune in for the semi-final round of “Dancing with the Stars” on Tuesday, November 19th at 8 p.m. EST. You can watch it live on ABC and Disney+, and catch up on Hulu the next day. With the stakes higher than ever, you won’t want to miss who will dance their way to the finals!
