The ballroom was buzzing with anticipation and a hint of dread as another couple faced elimination on Dancing with the Stars. This week’s episode delivered its share of surprises, both on and off the dance floor, leaving viewers and contestants alike reeling from the results. For those eager to know who went home last night on Dancing with the Stars, the answer might not be who you expected.
Tavis Smiley’s Exit and Backstage Thoughts
While perhaps not entirely surprised by his departure, Tavis Smiley was indeed the celebrity eliminated from the competition. Speaking backstage after the show, Tavis revealed that he had initially hoped to participate in DWTS during the spring season of 2015. “I wanted to do the show in the spring, and I don’t know why they didn’t,” he commented, attributing the scheduling to the complexities of television production. He expressed empathy for his partner, Sharna Burgess, acknowledging the grueling nature of balancing the demanding dance schedule with his pre-existing book tour commitments. “I feel the worst for Sharna because she was dragged around with me to different cities all week,” Tavis explained, highlighting the clash between his book tour and the intense Dancing with the Stars schedule. He likened the collision of these commitments to “two planets” colliding, emphasizing the strain it placed on both him and Sharna.
Allison Holker and Jonathan Bennett’s Surprise Safety
In a stark contrast to Tavis’s elimination, professional dancer Allison Holker confessed her genuine shock at learning that she and her celebrity partner, Jonathan Bennett, were safe from elimination. Allison admitted to anticipating critiques regarding their cha-cha technique, suggesting that the judges might have been particularly critical given Jonathan’s lack of formal dance training. “I definitely thought there could be improvements on the cha-cha technique, but I think the judges were very hard because Jonathan is not a trained dancer,” Allison reflected. She also speculated on potential dissatisfaction with the choreography, though she wished for more specific feedback on Jonathan’s performance rather than the routine itself.
Jonathan Bennett himself chimed in on a recurring observation about their performance attire. Addressing comments about his outfit blending into the background, Jonathan shared, “You’re like the fifth person to say that. People said that they couldn’t see where my body movements were.” This feedback suggests a potential visual challenge for viewers in clearly discerning Jonathan’s movements due to his clothing choices.
Janel Parrish and Val Chmerkovskiy’s Near Miss
The evening began on a high note for Janel Parrish and Val Chmerkovskiy, who celebrated winning the encore dance thanks to enthusiastic Twitter votes. However, the positive momentum took a turn when Val experienced a nerve-wracking moment during their performance with Julianne Hough. While viewers may have seen Julianne’s fall during rehearsals, the live show nearly mirrored the incident, deeply affecting Val. “Obviously I’m very down on myself,” Val confessed, expressing his frustration. He explained that despite practicing the particular dance move countless times, a slight overexertion led to Julianne’s fall in rehearsal, creating lingering anxiety for the live performance. “There’s a moment in that [sequence] that you have to let go because there’s that trust, but after that little mishap in rehearsal, I just couldn’t let go,” Val elaborated, revealing the impact of the rehearsal fall on his confidence during the live show. Despite the near mishap, Val prioritized safety, stating, “The trick didn’t go as planned, but at least I didn’t drop her. That’s my priority. That everybody’s safe.”
Conclusion
This week on Dancing with the Stars saw Tavis Smiley and Sharna Burgess bid farewell to the ballroom, while Allison Holker and Jonathan Bennett were unexpectedly saved. Janel Parrish and Val Chmerkovskiy navigated a challenging performance with a near fall, highlighting the high stakes and emotional rollercoaster of the competition. As the season progresses, viewers can anticipate more surprising outcomes and dramatic moments as the remaining couples vie for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.
