9:30 p.m. ET
Connor Wood dedicated “Piano Man” to his father and won “Most Improved”
Bryan Alexander
Repeat drama:Connor Wood announced to his father, Pete, that he was dedicating his dance to him. A touching honor for the proud dad, who seemed in no hurry to hit the dance floor. He didn’t do it.
Dance:Wood and partner Rylee Arnold performed a Viennese waltz to Billy Joel’s “Piano Man,” dedicated to Pete. Wearing a burgundy suit, Wood glided across the ballroom floor before joining his father by the piano for an emotional embrace. Pete then joined his son at the judges’ table for critiques.
“You’ve come a long way,” Derek Hough said.
Kym Johnson praised Wood’s infectious smile, telling her father, “I can see where you get that from.”
“Tonight, my darling, it was a real and true Viennese waltz,” proclaims Bruno Tonioli.
Carrie Ann Inaba praised Wood for “coming back with an open heart” each week and called him the most improved dancer of the evening.
Score: traditional knowledge/40
9:19 p.m. ET
Harry Shum Jr.’s Wife Gets a Sweet Scream and Dancing Moment
Bryan Alexander
Repeat drama: Harry Shum Jr. dedicated his dance to his wife, Shelby, his partner of more than 20 years. The couple kissed during rehearsal as Shum reflected on their life together. “You are my life partner and we have been through a lot for 20 years,” he said. “He represents stability to me,” Shelby said. There’s no mention of this week’s drama involving the suspension of Jenna Johnson’s husband Val, nor of Judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s comments last week.
Dance:Shum and partner Jenna Johnson performed a foxtrot to John Mayer’s “Stop This Train,” literally starting at a train station. Shum valiantly twirled Johnson around the floor before his wife joined in the dancing. And damn, she was good! Shelby lifted her leg, twirled and stayed in perfect rhythm through complicated choreography. The emotional family reunion left Shum’s entire family crying in the audience. Shum’s daughter also joined Mom and Dad on the floor. Everyone was crying, everywhere.
“What a great way to tell your story,” a choked-up Carrie Ann Inaba said, making a point of praising Johnson’s choreography.
“It took my breath away,” Derek Hough said. “A very difficult dance, and you made it easy.”
“I saw a ballroom dancer do a beautiful foxtrot,” Kym Johnson told Shum.
“I knew you had it and you proved it tonight,” proclaimed Bruno Tonioli.
Score: 36/40, Carrie Ann Inaba gave a 9.
9:15 p.m. ET
Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten don’t mention Val’s absence
Joëlle Goldstein
Jenna Dewan and Alan Bersten did not acknowledge Val Chmerkovskiy’s absence this week or the scandal that erupted, only noting that it was an “unusual situation” and that Bersten felt “honored to step in and help” this week. He emphasized that they would remain focused on the upcoming dance, dedicated to Dewan’s mother, Nancy.
Dewan explained that her parents separated when she was young and her mother took great pains to care for her and provide for her. “If my mom can go through what she did and be loving and gentle…then I can do anything,” Dewan said.
They danced the Viennese Waltz to the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” which began with a slow dance between Dewan and her mother. Bersten fit in perfectly, almost as if the two had been dancing together the entire competition. It was elegant and moving as the confetti fell while Dewan spun in a breathtaking manner. The routine even left Dewan’s partner, Steve Kazee, in tears in front of the crowd.
The judges were just as moved, with Bruno Tonioli deeming it “exquisite”. Derek Hough called it “gentle, graceful and beautiful”. He also called “The Rookie” actress a “class act.” Kym Johnson noted that Dewan had “the highest expectations” of her before the competition, but she exceeded those expectations.
But it was Carrie Ann Inaba’s comments that garnered the most attention, with the judge acknowledging that the trip “has been a lot” for her. She called Dewan’s dance “the ultimate breakthrough.”
8:56 p.m. ET
Amber Glenn shows her vulnerable side with Pasha Pashkov and her sister Brooke
Bryan Alexander
Repeat drama:Amber Glenn dedicated her dance to her sister, Brooke, who helped her through some of her darkest moments. Glenn spoke of having “depressive episodes”, saying it was “when she woke up” and that his sister was there “when I was at my lowest”. Brooke even showed up to dance rehearsal. “It’s good to struggle, as long as you keep going,” Glenn said.
Dance:Glenn and partner Pasha Pashkov performed a contemporary routine to Sia’s “Breathe Me,” dedicated to Brooke. The dance began with Glenn lying on the floor in pain. But the barefoot Glenn came to life as the fog rose over the ballroom floor. Brooke, also dressed in a white dress, stepped in to catch Amber as she fell, a touching reflection of their real-life connection. The sisters hugged at the end, leaving Brooke in tears.
“What a great way to say thank you to your sister,” Kym Johnson said.
“I could barely breathe,” Bruno Tonioli said, praising the drama and choreography.
Carrie Ann Inaba thanked Glenn for addressing mental health. “Thank you for bringing this up,” she said.
Derek Hough was also emotional. “You made us feel something really powerful,” he said.
Score: 38/40. Carrie Ann gave Kym a 10. Their best scores of the season.
As a special bonus and massive transition, Pasha was named “DWTS” Sexiest Pro Alive and received a belt.
8:48 p.m. ET
Jackson Olson stays happy by dancing for his mother
Joëlle Goldstein
Jackson Olson dedicated his dance this week to his mother, Laura, “the strongest, most patient person I know.” He recalled how she “kept pushing me” to be good at everything he did and that he would be nowhere without her. For her part, Laura said it was “beyond flattering” to be asked to participate in her son’s dance, even though she became emotional before rehearsals even began.
But in true Savannah Bananas fashion, Olson kept things upbeat and fun, dancing an adorable Quickstep with partner Emma Slater to Nat King Cole’s “LOVE.” Everyone had a smile on their faces, including the judges.
Derek Hough said it was a “great performance” but urged Olson to keep up the pace. Kym Johnson called Olson the “ultimate showman” and agreed with Hough on the need to focus on his figure.
Bruno Tonioli said he was “scintillating” and praised the “theatrical” dancing. “You expressed yourself better than ever tonight,” he said.
And Carrie Ann Inaba had similar comments, noting that it’s clear Olson gets his confidence from his mother and that he was “excellent.”
Olson and Slater had all 8s, their best scores of the competition.
Score: 32/40
8:34 p.m. ET
Maura Higgins brings the Irish fight with a dance dedicated to Ireland
Bryan Alexander
Repeat drama: “The Traitors” star Maura Higgins dedicated her dance to the entire country of Ireland. This is a first! An entire country. “I miss my family and friends. I can’t let Ireland down,” she said in the rehearsal video. Irish dancing legend Michael Flatley sent one of his best dancers to train him, a champion named Lucky. “I hope you can bring a little luck to my dancing,” Higgins said.
Dance: Higgins and partner Mark Ballas performed a paso doble to Dropkick Murphys’ “I’m Shipping Up to Boston.” Higgins whipped her Irish flag skirt with wild passion while a shirtless, body-painted Ballas waved the Irish flag to start. Lucky joined in the dancing and showed some fire with his Irish dance. Maybe it’s cheating. But Maura immediately launched into it and made Ireland proud, finishing with a huge kick to the camera as she was held in the air by the two dancers.
Carrie Ann Inaba called it the first Irish paso doble dance, but emphasized an elevator. And then let it go. Derek Hough asked: “Could you be more Irish?” » Kym Johnson said: “It made me want to go to an Irish pub with you.” Bruno Tonioli proclaimed: “The pride of Ireland unleashed!”
Score:35/40. The best score of the couple.
8:26 p.m. ET
Tatyana Ali dedicates a dance to James Avery, father of the “Fresh Prince”
Joëlle Goldstein
“Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” star Tatyana Ali said she always knew that if she went to Dedication Night, she would dedicate her dance to her late partner and TV father, James Avery. During rehearsals, Ali told his partner Jan Ravnik how Avery taught him “what you do can be more than just a job.”
“I loved him very much,” she said.
Of course, Ali also asked her “Fresh Prince” partner Alfonso Ribeiro to join her in the dance, saying, “It wouldn’t be the performance she needs without Alfonso…I think (Avery) would be really proud.” Ribeiro also called Avery a “very important part of our lives” and said it was a “blessing” to dance with his partner on “DWTS.”
After the stirring performance — a Viennese waltz to Nancy Wilson’s “(You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am,” which featured a couch, a nod to the show, and ended with Ali and Ribeiro looking at a photo of Avery displayed on the screen — the judges praised the elegance of the routine.
Bruno Tonioli said Ali was “brilliant” and praised the “easy flow” of her dancing, comparing it to being “guided by a guardian angel”. Carrie Ann Inaba got choked up about the “beautiful reunion” that took place on the dance floor between Ali and Ribeiro. “You danced like you were watching an old Hollywood movie come to life,” she said.
Derek Hough called Ali “one of the most improved contestants” this season, saying it was “truly magnificent.” And Kym Johnson praised her ability to dance “effortlessly”.
8:13 p.m. ET
Ezra Frech launches hydraulic works with a dance for mother Bahar Frech
Bryan Alexander
Repeat drama: Two-time Paralympian Ezra Frech dedicated his dance to his mother, Bahar, who broke down in tears during rehearsals and in the video. “I’m really proud of the man he is,” she said.
Dance: Frech and her partner Daniella Karagach were floating visions in blue, performing a contemporary routine to Mon Rovîa’s “Bloodline,” dedicated to her mother, Bahar. Bahar even came…
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