Dancing with the Stars paid homage to the most iconic music videos of all-time this week!
Tuesday’s episode kicked off with an introduction to the evening’s guest judge: Paula Abdul. Abdul took the stage, dancing her way out beside several male pros before co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro officially introduced her and spoke about Abdul’s dance icon status.
“I’m so honored to be back in the ballroom. I’m looking forward to these incredible performers having the time of their life, leaving it all on the ballroom floor,” Abdul said before taking her place beside fellow judges Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.
Julianne and Alfonso then explained that the couples would perform their individual routines before doing a team dance, in which the couples would be broken up into two teams and compete against each other for extra points.
Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong
Lele Pons was adamant she had to nowhere to go but “up” after getting a 9 last week since “the competition is getting tougher.” With her sights set on Music Video Night, Lele was thrilled to learn she’d be dancing a Salsa to “Whenever, Wherever” by Shakira.
“There’s never gonna be another artist like Shakira… I would not be where I am without Shakira,” the YouTuber and singer told cameras.
It was also a rather fitting artist for Lele because she said she typically channels her inner Shakira before she hits the ballroom floor.
After performing her sexy hip-shaking routine, the judges offered both positive and constructive feedback. Derek said her “hips did not lie” and celebrated Lele’s ability to “nail” the Shakira part.
However, he noted that her lifts moving forward must have a “very smooth” entrance and exit, calling Lele’s transitions between lifts “haphazard.”
Paula echoed Derek, saying Lele “move like a flame” and was “wickedly seductive,” but urged her to stay “lighter on your feet.” Bruno said “bombshell” Lele “knows how to work it,” but, like his fellow judges, emphasized how “detail is important” and said she needs to “work on” her lifts.
Carrie Ann joked about how the other judges stole her role as the “lift police” but exclaimed, “Who cares!?” She went on to note that Lele’s dance was “what we have been waiting for,” and told the YouTuber, “You were on fire! …You worked us all and I’m just so happy for you!”
Score: 33/40
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
Coming off a strong week in which Carrie Ann said she has “what it takes to win it” before earning her first 10 of the season, Ariana Madix said she was feeling the pressure. “That’s the coolest thing that anyone could ever say. I just hope I can prove her right,” the Vanderpump Rules star said.
With a Cha Cha to “I’m A Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears for this week’s dance, Ariana was pumped.
“Britney is my girl! From the first time I heard her music, she inspired me to want to perform on stage. It’s probably a huge reason as to why I’m here today,” she said, later adding, “It’s been my life goal to be best friends with Britney Spears. If I don’t do it justice and she watches it somehow, I will never live it down.”
Following her dance — in which Ariana performed beside several pros, but sans the iconic snake — Paula was rendered speechless, calling the Bravo star “a dazzling mix of finesse and fury.” She commended how Ariana “rose to the challenge” and admitted, “I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you.”
Bruno was on his feet, telling her, “That was a bad, bad, bad girl and I loved it!” Carrie Ann admitted she was wondering if that was actually Britney during moments of the dance, and praised Ariana for the perfect “formation” of the group aspect of the dance.
Derek simply said it “can be risky to dance next to the pros because it can be exposing,” but “the only thing it exposed was how fantastic you are.”
Asked by Julianne what it meant to finally dance to Britney’s iconic song, Ariana said in the skybox, “I’ve been practicing that choreography since 2001 in my bedroom, so to live out my Britney pop star dreams tonight, I can die happy.”
Score: 37/40
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold
After a week of improvement, Too Hot to Handle star Harry Jowsey said the support he received “was super encouraging,” especially because “last week we had so much fun.”
Focusing his attention to this week, Harry and pro Rylee Arnold were assigned a Jazz to “It’s Gonna Be Me” by *NSYNC. “Being in a boy band has always been a dream,” Harry told cameras. “I never got to do it so now I can live out my dreams.”
During rehearsals, Harry and Rylee welcomed a special guest: *NSYNC member Lance Bass. He offered Harry advice about not overthinking the routine, owning his confidence, and connecting with the crowd. “I know the best dance of the night, it’s gonna be me,” Harry vowed before taking the ballroom floor.
After the dance, Bruno said he was “totally bewildered” by Harry’s routine — and his Justin Timberlake-inspired wig. “The ‘sync’ wasn’t always on, but I just love watching you,” he added.
Carrie Ann praised Harry for his dancing and seeing him “enjoy” the process, but urged him to “commit from the moment you walk on stage.” Derek reminded him that constructive feedback is just “part of the game” and said their performance was “a lot of fun.”
Paula concluded the comments by pointing out how Harry is not a “natural dancer” but she loved his “earnestness, and spirit and vulnerability.” “When you smile, we smile,” she added.
Score: 24/40
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Singer Jason Mraz said last week’s dance was “physically challenging,” but he was ready to rise to the challenge of Music Video Night. “This is the Olympics of dances and I’m ready to work twice as hard,” he vowed.
In his intro package, Jason opened up about how he did a music video for his song “You and I Both” around 2001, but he was told at the time that “Jason doesn’t dance.” “I want to reclaim that,” he said.
For this week, Jason and pro partner Daniella Karagach were assigned a Jazz to “Take On Me” by a-ha, but Daniella sprained her ankle. As a result, Daniella asked fellow pro Koko Iwasaki to come in and help Jason rehearse so she could let her ankle rest for the live show. “Even from the sidelines, she is tougher than ever!” Jason joked of his partner.
Still though, he promised, “I’m working as hard as I can so with this week’s performance, I can prove for once and for all that I can dance in my music videos.”
Despite his determination, the judges were split in their feedback. Carrie Ann said “that might’ve been the most jazzy jazz” she’s seen, but said she felt “a bit underwhelmed by the performance you’ve been giving.”
Derek praised Jason for the “middle side-by-side section,” but agreed with Carrie Ann. “I felt like this was an earlier season type of dance. With that said, I still think you have what it takes to go extremely far in this competition,” he noted.
Paula celebrated Jason’s “relentless performance,” which she also called “so imaginative.” She added that the singer has “transformed into a beautiful, wonderful dancer,” and praised him for how he “didn’t compromise any clarity or intentionality” with mimicking the routine from the music video.
Bruno said he “perfectly translated” the music video and celebrated Jason for “never losing the storyline.” He added, “That was a very, very strong performance!”
Score: 35/40
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Alyson Hannigan was thrilled to get her first 8 last week, noting it was “nice to see the judges can see my improvement as well.”
With a Quickstep to “Candyman” by Christina Aguilera, Alyson recalled seeing the singer in concert once and all the “energy” she possessed during the live performance. Pro partner Sasha Farber urged her to channel that same energy in their fast-paced dance, which prompted Alyson to joke, “I am excited to try not to have a heart attack… even though this dance is exhausting, I am gonna try to give it my all because I am having the time of my life.”
After taking the ballroom floor, Derek rose to his feet, calling the routine Alyson’s “best dance yet.” He added that the American Pie actress “glided across the floor really well.”
Paula celebrated Alyson for how she “triumphed” and said, “I couldn’t keep my eyes off of you.”
Bruno also raved about how it was a “proper quick step” and added, “Stylistically, that was spot-on.” Carrie Ann said she agreed with everyone on the panel and called the routine “magical.”
Following the judges’ comments, Alyson told Julianne, “I want to pinch myself but I don’t want to wake up so I don’t want to pinch myself!” She then received her first 9 of the season.
Score: 33/40
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Marvel star Xochitl Gomez said of last week’s success: “That 10 felt really good and then somehow, we won that dance competition.” She hoped that this week they could do just as good with a Jazz to “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani.
“If I could be anyone, it would be Gwen Stefani,” said Xochitl, who revealed she previously directed a music video and was taking on more creative control in the performance. “I’m just hoping I can pull it off and go bananas.”
After the dance, Paula praised their partnership, and said Xochitl is “so wonderful at exuding such joy.” She also commended her for how she “captured Gwen’s mannerisms.”
Bruno pointed out that he noticed a shift in Xochitl’s performance after she had a mishap in the routine where she was unable to get her marching band jacket and hat on. Even so, the judge told Xochitl, “My eyes get drawn to you all the time.”
Derek called the routine “brilliant” but agreed with Bruno on the “disconnect” after the wardrobe mishap.
However, Carrie Ann disagreed with Bruno and praised Xochitl for the way she continued performing. “I couldn’t tell and that’s the sign of a true performer!” she raved. “I thought we saw a grittier, funkier Xochitl.”
Score: 34/40
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Reflecting on her performance last week, Bachelorette star Charity Lawson said she was “not happy with an 8” but even so, “felt proud of what I did.”
She added, “Getting an 8 was a little bit of a shocker for me,” as pro partner Artem Chigvintsev urged her to be “more powerful [and] big” during this week’s Jazz routine to “All For You” by Janet Jackson.
“I love Janet. She has it all, I am going to try to translate all that,” Charity told cameras before vowing, “I am going to get the best scores for me this season.”
After their dance, Bruno acknowledged “how tough it is to take on Janet Jackson,” but told Charity she “should be proud.”
Carrie Ann said she “loved the choreography… and thought you matched the [backup dancer] girls beautifully,” but admitted, “I didn’t buy it.” She urged her to “mean it” when she dances next time.
Derek agreed with the feedback, noting that it shows “the expectations are high” as they move further into the competition. He said Charity’s routine was “pretty [and] precise,” though the judges are all “looking for more energy.”
Paula pointed out how Janet is “fearless and relentless because I choreographed her to be that way” and urged Charity “to step into your power that way, and you can be a front-runner.”
Score: 32/40
Barry Williams and Peta Murgatroyd
The Brady Bunch star Barry Williams admitted “you never want to see the points go down,” after last week’s dance, but also celebrated reaching the halfway point. “I’m proud that I’ve made it this far!” he said.
This week, Barry and pro Peta Murgatroyd were assigned a Quickstep to “I’m Still Standing” by Elton John — ironically, a music video that featured Bruno as a backup dancer.
“Elton John is my favorite singer,” Barry said, recalling a time in 1973 that Elton John came to Los Angeles to perform at The Hollywood Bowl. “I pulled every string I could to meet him backstage after the show. He was so gracious.”
Still, Barry acknowledged having Bruno judge his dance would be nerve-wracking. “This adds a little more pressure, he’s gonna wanna see a good quick step,” he said. “This is one of the more challenging dances I’ve done because it’s fast. Bruno will be watching this routine extra carefully so I have to eliminate unforced errors because I’m not ready to go home yet, I’ve been working too hard.”
Following his dance, Carrie Ann praised Barry for “still smiling” and noted he has “something magical” when he dances, though she pointed out a mistake he made on the dance floor. “You as a fellow member of AARP are amazing!” she joked.
Derek celebrated Barry for “coming alive” and keeping his frame up, even though he had to point out some missteps. Paula agreed with the two judges, and added, “Week after week, it’s such a joy and delight to watch you.”
Bruno joked Barry should’ve “worn my outfit in the video” because “it would’ve been a show-stopper.” He added, “A few mistakes but your performances are always there for us to enjoy.”
Score: 28/40
Team Dances
Heading into the Team Dance, Julianne and Alfonso revealed that Ariana and Pasha received the highest scores of the night and had been granted immunity for next week’s dance-off. This earned them bonus points, which will apply to next week’s score, only if they survive the elimination tonight.
Then, the Team Dances kicked off. Because Harry and Alyson had the lowest scores from last week, they were named captains and had to draft their team members. On Harry’s side was “Team Young’n Style,” featuring Harry and Rylee, Lele and Brandon, Xochitl and Val and Charity and Artem. They were assigned a dance to “Gangnam Style” by PSY.
They danced first, resulting in Derek jumping up from the judges’ panel to hug Harry and praise him. “You’re not a soloist, you’re a team player, man!” he told Harry before celebrating the rest of the team.
Paula called it “incredible fun,” while Bruno said “it’s a miracle [Harry] moves.” Carrie Ann said “it all came together and that is teamwork!”
Afterward, Team Young’n Style received a perfect 40/40 for their score — marking the first perfect score of the season. That score would be added to each couple’s individual score of the night.
Next up was “Team 4 Everybody,” featuring Alyson and Sasha, Jason and Daniella, Ariana and Pasha and Barry and Peta. They were given a dance to “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” by the Backstreet Boys, which prompted Backstreet Boy and DWTS alum AJ McLean to pop in during rehearsals.
Then, they hit the dance floor. Carrie Ann called Alyson the “MVP” of the dance but said there wasn’t as much unity in the dance while Derek felt they were “much cleaner” than the other team. Paula and Bruno offered positive feedback as well.
As a result, the team received a 37/40 for their score, which would be added to each couple’s individual score of the night.
Results
Heading into the results after the team dance round, Ariana and Pasha and Xochitl and Val were tied at the top of the leaderboard, while Harry and Rylee remained at the bottom.
Alfonso and Julianne then revealed Ariana and Pasha, Harry and Rylee, Xochitl and Val, Jason and Daniella, and Alyson and Sasha were safe and moving onto next week.
This left Lele and Brandon, Charity and Artem and Barry and Peta standing, though not necessarily the bottom three. It was then revealed that Lele and Brandon were being sent home on Music Video Night.
“I am so, so grateful for everything,” Lele said before telling partner Brandon, “You’re the best.”
Brandon also spoke, admitting “that one burns” because “Lele was getting better,” and said they “were happy to be here.”
Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
