Showstoppers Night was quite the eventful episode! From Tamar's illness to Alexa's elimination, people all over social media were taking about Monday's show! I was glad to see some actual dancing in round one, considering there was not a set theme to go overly crazy with the production. However, I loved the showstopper duet dances for the complete opposite reason! The production values were top notch, and all of them had me on the edge of my seat! With both Alexa and Tamar out of the competition, only four couples remain! But before all of that happened, there was jam-packed show of high-energy performances! Here are my thoughts on them:
Round One Dances
Salsa- Back It Up by Prince Royce featuring Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull
Score: 8, 8, 8 (24/30) (Final Score: 48/60) Bottom of the Leaderboard
Just from hiss rehearsal packages and comments, I can tell that Alek has really built up his confidence, and has finally gotten use to the cameras and publicity. That is the character that everyone has been wanted to see from him since week one! Alek certainly still stomps all around the dance floor, though. Those lifts he did were the highlights to this performance. for me. I give Alek and Lindsay's Salsa an 8. Alek really needs to work on his hips and feet if he wants to win this competition!
Video of Alek and Lindsay's Salsa
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas (#TeamBAEga) Eliminated- 6th Place
Contemporary- Make It Rain by Ed Sheeran
Score: 10, 10, 10 (30/30) (Final Score: 60/60) Top of the Leaderboard
Mr. Mark Ballas does it once again! Using this dance as a metaphor of Alexa's struggle with bulimia was so powerful, and actually quite genius in a way. There were a whole lot of lifts, and Alexa powered through all of them with such fierce might. And along with her technicality, Alexa gave such a strong message to the audience as well, so I am glad that she ended this show on a high note, especially with her duet dance later in the show. I give Alexa and Mark's Contemporary a 10. There was not one dull moment in this Contemporary piece!
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson (#TeamBrownSugar)
Argentine Tango- What Do You Mean? by Justin Bieber
Score: 9, 9, 9 (27/30) (Final Score: 51/60)
This dance made me turn my head in confusion a bit. I wasn't sure what I just saw when I watched it for the first time live. Was it an Argentine Tango? I guess. Did it have a lot of varied Argentine Tango content? Kinda. My issue with this performance is that although it was executed well, there was not much for me to see that really showed Carlos's superior dance abilities. Witney needs to push Carlos more if they want that Mirror Ball Trophy? I give Carlos and Witney's Argentine Tango a 9. Carlos has always done really well framing Witney, but I really want to see him shine now.
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough (#TeamCrikey)
Viennese Waltz- Roses and Violets by Alexander Jean
Score: 10, 10, 10 (30/30) (Final Score: 60/60) Top of the Leaderboard
I still never stopped laughing from Carrie Ann's comment to Bindi, saying "watching you is like a sun rise". That is one of the most ridiculous and scripted lines I have ever heard from the judges on this show! What she should have said was about how well Bindi's form is hold. The blindfold was a nice touch, too. Oh, and yes, I listen to "Roses and Violets" on repeat just like everyone else! XD I give Bindi and Derek's Viennese Waltz a 10. I love how in-touch Bindi is with all of these high-emotion contemporary pieces. That is what truly makes her performances so special.
Tamar Braxton and Valentin Chmerkovskiy (#TeamValenTay) Withdrew- 5th Place
Contemporary (rehearsal footage)- Wicked Game by James Vincent McMorrow
Score: 8, 7, 7 (22/30) (Final Score: 49/60)
It is so unfortunate that this dance could not be live due to Tamar's absence, but I am glad that Tamar is taking care of her health. It was very evident that Tamar missed many counts of the dance, so it was easy to tell that she was sick. She was a warrior, though. Props to her for doing that rehearsal, and returning later for her Rumba with Nick. And as everyone knows, it turns out that Tamar's lungs are much worse that she thought, and she could have even died on the dance floor. Of course, she had to withdraw due the blood clots in her lungs, so I hope she has a quick recovery. I give Tamar and Val's Contemporary a 7. Tamar was an underestimated performer, but she proved herself to be hard worker with her determination and power to push through anything that comes her way.
Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess (#TeamSharNick)
Quickstep- A Cool Cat in Town by Tape Five
Score: 9, 9, 10 (28/30) (Final Score: 55/60)
There was a whole lot of out-of-hold Jazz and Charleston, but not a whole lot of traditional in-hold Quickstep, which is quite a shame. Nick was great for the most part when doing his solos in front of the troupe, but I wanted to see more, just like with Carlos's Argentine Tango. In hold, he looked really good. It would've been better if Sharna (AKA the Statue of Liberty in her blue dress) showcased his skills in that aspect. I give Nick and Sharna's Quickstep a 9. Nick was a bit off time, but my main issue was the lack of content. It was an amazingly fun routine, though!
Showstopper Duet Dances
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold with Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson
Paso Doble- We Will Rock You by Queen
Score: 8, 8, 8 (24/30)
Showstopper Inspiration: We Will Rock You (the musical)
Somehow, Lindsay and Witney always end up doing a Paso Doble together on the show (i.e. Alfonso's trio, Chris Soules's trio)! I don't mind, though, because Witney and Lindsay make a great team! Alek and Carlos really created a high-testosterone rock routine, and I loved every second of it! The solo showed an in-sync match of their strengths, but when they were with their partners, they were both off time. Alek, however, was much more noticeable with his off-beat moments. I give Alek and Lindsay & Carlos and Witney's Paso Doble a 9. I usually don't like the techno-style Paso Dobles, but to me, this was an exception due to the high performance value!
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas with Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough
Charleston- All That Jazz and Hot Honey Rag by Kander and Ebb
Score: 10, 10, 10 (30/30)
Showstopper Inspiration: Chicago on Broadway
What an exciting Charleston number! Bindi and Alexa looked like they could have been on Broadway; they were the stars of the show! Every element implemented into this dance had a signature of Chicago written on it. Alexa and Bindi were dancing as one in their solo part, which made that number truly showstopping! I give Alexa and Mark & Bindi and Derek's Charleston a 10. It was my favorite dance of the night hands down!
Tamar Braxton and Valentin Chmerkovskiy with Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess
Rumba- Hey Jude by The Beatles
Score: 9, 9, 9 (27/30)
Showstopper Inspiration: LOVE by Cirque du Soleil
Apparently, according to many people on set, Tamar could barely stand before dancing this Rumba, so once again, props to her for barely making it on time to be there for her team. Nick deserves some credit as well for guiding Tamar through the performance like a professional, matching her movements under the circumstances. Tamar did miss a few steps with the umbrella, but with the chaotic, yet breathtaking, Cirque du Soleil performers around everyone, it was very well-hidden. Tamar and Nick had a non-permeable team spirit that was required to make it through that routine with such elegance and grace. I give Tamar and Val & Nick and Sharna's Rumba a 9. The theme of this performance made it a superb uplifting finish to the show!
So what did you think of Showstoppers Night on Dancing With the Stars? What was your favorite dance of the night? What is your opinion on the showstopper duet dances? What do you think of Alexa and Mark's elimination? What do you think of Tamar and Val's withdrawal from the competition? Next week is the Semifinals, which will feature trio dances and more dance battles!
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Alek needs to pep up he's become one note. Whitney needs to up her choreo it's all looking the same from Alfonso and Chris! Great blog enjoyed it / let's see what new drama rob wade has in store for us Monday besides another farce "dance off"
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