It’s Dedication Night on Dancing with the Stars, so I would like to dedicate this recap to all those celebs who had to suffer through the ABC competition while hoofing alongside some mean ‘ol pros. It must have been such a hardship working with people who wanted to win just as badly as you! We can’t fathom the harsh language you supposed endured while getting paid to tan and jive. Our thoughts are with you!
Now let’s see what inspired this season’s celebs to turn up their heels during Week 5, with special guest judge and three-time Mirror Ball Trophy winner Mark Ballas.
NBA Champion Dwight Howard with partner Daniella Karagach. This one’s for Howard’s kids — all five of them! Judge Derek Hough, while visiting rehearsal, told Howard he should use his height as an advantage by filling “out the space.” No problem there, pal! Dancing to a song he recorded called “Shoot for the Stars,” Howard performed a delightful (but soft-armed rumba) that ended with a big group hug with his spawn. “You are a big man in every single way. Your heart is so huge,” said Hough. “I see you working hard, applying the advice.” Total: 29 out of 40
Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher with partner Alan Bersten. Last week was super hard on Maher, who broke down in tears after flubbing some steps during Hair Metal Night. Today is a new day, and don’t forget she’s an Olympic medal winner! So she dedicated her rumba to her rugby teammates who were in the house. Maher wants this so bad. It’s hard not to root for her, even though she’s still a bit uncomfortable putting herself out there in silk and sequins. “I’m kinda glad that happened last week because sometime in those moments, it unlocks something in you,” said Hough about her teary-eyed meltdown. Total: 32 out of 40
Phaedra Parks (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) with partner Val Chmerkovskiy: Dedicating her performance to her mom, the reality star took Judge Bruno Tonioli’s advice by trying not to look so rigid during her rumba. “I can feel it. I can see you. That’s what you have to do. You have to make it feel real,” said Tonioli. Total: 32 out of 40
Model Brooks Nader with partner Gleb Savchenko. Nader went through a “hard” divorce this year, so she dedicated her salsa to her “ride or die” sisters. She shook her butt. She showed the necessary amount of sex appeal. She got the love of the judges. “I saw it,” said Judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “You did what we were talking about. You were finishing your moves. I felt like you were dancing in the power.” Total: 32 out of 40
Jenn Tran (The Bachelorette) with partner Sasha Farber. Tran, like a bajillion other girls, loves her some Taylor Swift. Her music helped Tran find strength in feeling vulnerable — especially after growing up in a drama-filled household — so she dedicated her gorgeous foxtrot that ended the night to Tay-Tay herself. “I love how wild you are. I would have liked it to be a little smoother,” said Ballas, who had some issues with her frame. “Great job. You are improving in every way.” Total: 32 out of 40
Chandler Kinney (Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin) with partner Brandon Armstrong. The actress opened the show by dedicating her performance to her mom, who used to drive 120 miles a day to get her baby to auditions. With a little help during rehearsal from Hough, Kinney pulled off a graceful contemporary that showed off her incredible mobility. Girl can do some serious splits! “Chandler that was so beautiful,” said Hough. “You have the most gorgeous leg extensions. I did see a little bauble there in the lift … but what a beautiful way to start the show.” Total: 32 out of 40
Halfway through the show, Hough reminded viewers of the trauma his wife Hayley went through while the two were on tour in Washington D.C. last year. Hough was waiting for her to join him during a performance when someone said she was backstage having full seizures and “essentially dying.” Doctors warned Hough that his wife may not survive; and if she did, she may not be the same person if she survives life-saving brain surgery.
On Tuesday, she performed a breathtaking contemporary with Hough to cap off her extraordinary journey. What an amazing story of survival; Hough said her doctors said it was a miracle that Hayley not only survived but returned to dance again. And they’re making a documentary about it! You can read more here.
DEREK HOUGH, HAYLEY ERBERT HOUGH (Disney/Eric McCandless)
Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik with partner Rylee Arnold: Pommel horse boy wanted to pay tribute to men’s gymnastics, especially since the NCAA is looking to cut the sport from colleges. Say it ain’t so! Tonioli came into rehearsal to implore Nedoroscik to imagine being a character, so he took on the role of a, um, gymnast during his otherwise suave Argentine tango. “You are good student,” said Tonioli. “Now we are in business. Now you have the determination. I could see the character. You were focused. You were changed. You were leading the dance.” Total: 33 out of 40
Super Bowl Champion Danny Amendola with partner Witney Carson. The baller wanted to memorialize his former Texas Tech football coach, the late Mike Leach. Inaba came to rehearsal to encourage Amendola to channel the coach’s profound influence into his contemporary. I think I saw that? I wasn’t totally sure, as my eyes were mostly glued to his beautiful bare chest. “That was a breakthrough,” said Inaba. “Did everyone feel that? I think Coach Leach would be so proud of you.” Total: 36 out of 40
The Bachelor‘s Joey Graziadei with partner Jenna Johnson: The reality show contestant did the right thing by dedicating his Viennese waltz to fiancee Kelsey Anderson, who apparently gave up her job to move to Los Angeles so her boytoy can compete on DWTS. It certainly wasn’t a waste of her time; he’s making it to the final 3. “There is an expression in Viennese waltz, stay flat and fly across the floor,” said guest judge Mark Ballas. “You did that.” Total: 36 out of 40
Bottom three were Nader, Howard, and Kinney.
Nader is going home. “I just said imagine if it was us, so maybe I manifested it. But we have so much fun together,” she said.
Next week is Disney Night.
