Dancing With the Stars is back with another “Disney Night,” where the competition series celebrates the best movies, music, and even theme park rides from the Mouse House, which of course owns the ABC network and the Disney+ streaming service on which DWTS airs.
This follows the somewhat surprising 12th place elimination last week of Fifth Harmony singer Lauren Jauregui. She did tie for last place on the judges’ leaderboard, but the two previous Fifth Harmony members who appeared on the series — Normani and Ally Brooke — both made it to the finals.
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Jauregui’s ouster leaves 11 celebrities in contention for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy: The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives stars Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt, wellness influencer Hilaria Baldwin, Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, social media star Alix Earle, reality TV star Dylan Efron, actress Danielle Fishel, actress Elaine Hendrix, Pentatonix singer Scott Hoying, wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, and comedian Andy Richter.
Among the Disney properties to be featured in the evening’s competitive dances are animated classics The Jungle Book and Aladdin, live-action favorites Maleficent and High School Musical, and more recent acquisitions Star Wars and Hamilton. Kicking off the evening will be an opening number to “Be Our Guest” from Beauty and the Beast choreographed by Emmy winner Mandy Moore. There will also be troupe dances to music from the upcoming Tron: Ares and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.
As always, the scores from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli will be combined with the live votes of viewers watching from home to determine who may be eliminated at the end of the night. Will there be another surprise ouster?
Dylan Efron and pro Daniella Karagach
Performance: The reality TV star embodied a speedy race car with his lively quickstep to “Life Is a Highway” from Cars with characters from the film on stage behind him.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “You’re actually understanding the catalyst of each movement.”
Derek’s comments: “Dylan McQueen, the quickstep king!” His left arm was “strong,” but his head “drifts” and he needs to sharpen its movements.
Bruno’s comments: “You are working on everything we say so beautifully.” He can see the work he’s putting into the details, and the springing of the feet was especially impressive.
Scores: Carrie Ann (7), Derek (8), Bruno (8) = 23 out of 30
Danielle Fishel and pro Pasha Pashkov
Performance: The Boy Meets World star was the queen of the jungle with her quickstep to “I Wan’na Be Like You (The Monkey Song)” from The Jungle Book.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “There was a mistake,” and “you looked like you were being tossed around a bit.”
Derek’s comments: “I loved seeing your personality come out.” But the Lindy hop got a little out of sync, but “the second half was on fire.”
Bruno’s comments: “You incorporated [the fun]” of the movie into the dance, but she made a mistake.
Scores: Carrie Ann (7), Derek (7), Bruno (7) = 21 out of 30
Scott Hoying and pro Rylee Arnold
Performance: The singer and his pro partner channeled Ryan and Sharpay with their salsa to “Bop to the Top” from High School Musical.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “That’s what happens when the confidence kicks in.” There was a “mishap” in the underarm turns, but the “content was great, the choreography was fantastic.”
Derek’s comments: “Scott, I love seeing that confidence.” It was a “proper salsa routine,” and the routine captured the character of the salsa
Bruno’s comments: “You got a little bit tangled,” but he appreciates the “effort” put in, and the all the elements of the salsa were there.
Scores: Carrie Ann (7), Derek (7), Bruno (7) = 21 out of 30
Alix Earle and pro Val Chmerkovskiy
Performance: The social media influencer brought out her dark side as the title villainess during their Viennese waltz to “Once Upon a Dream” from Maleficent.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “When you dance, the artistry that maybe you’ve never really tapped into in this way,” is evident, and she really trusts her partner, which made the pivots especially good.
Derek’s comments: “That was mesmerizing. It was magical. It was spellbinding.” The Viennese waltz elements were “beautiful,” and her moments dancing by her own showed awareness of her own body.
Bruno’s comments: “That was gripping, haunting drama.” It was “dance as storytelling.” She really “became” Maleficent.
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Bruno (8) = 24 out of 30
Hilaria Baldwin and pro Gleb Savchenko
Performance: The force was with the wellness influencer during her speedy quickstep to “Cantina Band” from Star Wars.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “Tonight what I saw” was “beautiful.” “Now, here is the contender.”
Derek’s comments: “There wasn’t enough quickstep,” there was Charleston and Lindy hop, but she has “potential.” But to have that “breakout moment,” she needs to tap into something unique.
Bruno’s comments: “The force is still with you.” He “watched very closely,” looking for something wrong, and he didn’t see it.
Scores: Carrie Ann (8), Derek (7), Bruno (8) = 23 out of 30
Andy Richter and pro Emma Slater
Performance: The comedian was the chef, and the pro embodied the rat Remy during their Viennese waltz to “Le Festin” from Ratatouille.
Carrie Ann’s comments: “You produce such memorable moments.” But while she can see the “transformation,” she wants to see “more content.”
Derek’s comments: “You’re filling that space, Andy, I see you,” but he needs to work on his frame.
Bruno’s comments: It had a kind of “French, Italian, Latin flair.”
Scores: Carrie Ann (6), Derek (6), Bruno (6) = 18 out of 30
More to come …
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