After an enthusiastic openinglast week, Dancing with the Stars returned for One Hit Wonders Night and a double elimination. Carrie Ann also rejoined the panel for episode two.
The pros and hosts burst onto the ballroom floor to “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” by C+C Music Factory. This week’s opening number was choreographed by competing pro Emma Slater! Each pair looked energized to reveal their looks for the evening, but they had to bring that energy to the dance floor if they wanted to survive this week.
Alix and Val
This week, Alix needed stamina to keep up with their jive to “Mamba No 5.” Alix and Val brought the party to the dance floor. Derek praised Alix for managing so well with a difficult routine. “You’re an amazing performer,” he said.
Total Score: 21/20
Combined Total: 34/50
Danielle and Pasha
Pasha and Danielle had differing opinions on their first performance, but there is only room to improve! Dancing the cha cha through a hamstring tear, this star wanted to see her score climb this week. Bruno was impressed with her character during their one hit wonder dance to “Rhythm of the Night” by Corona, but he chastised her for some small mistakes.
Total Score: 19/30
Combined Score: 31/50
Andy and Sasha
Andy’s personality carried them through last week, but he and Sasha wanted to prove that this star could be a technical success, too. They spent the week sharpening their tango. The song was “It’s Raining Men” by The Weather Girls, but Andy was far from falling as they danced across the floor. “Andy, you truly capture the essence of why this show was created,” Derek said. He praised Andy’s hard work, acknowledging that there are technical issues in his dancing.
Total Score: 16/30
Combined Score: 25/50
Lauren and Brandon
Lauren shared that she used to watch DWTS with her grandma, so Lauren’s foxtrot to “Lovefool” by The Cardigans went out to her. Brandon taught Lauren new technique, emphasizing the differences from their tango last week. They worked together to glide across the floor and bring a soft and sweet performance to the judges. Carrie Ann said that their partnership and dancing put her at ease.
Total Score: 21/30
Combined Score: 34/50
Jordan and Ezra
This pair was after the energy this week, jiving to “Maniac” by Michael Sembello. The high intensity of the jive seemed like a good fit for Jodan’s gymnastics ability. She shared that she liked to do floor routines to fast songs, too. They dazzled on the dance floor. Bruno shouted that Jordan was “going for gold,” and praised her technique and personality during their routine.
Total Score: 22/30
Combined Score: 32/50
Corey and Jenna
Last week, Corey and Jenna were disappointed to find themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard, but they were optimistic about making it through the first elimination. They performed a cha cha to “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot. Taking the role of Comeback King seriously, Corey stepped onto the dance floor in fluorescent pink. Derek said their performance would be memorable, but the timing of the cha cha wasn’t there.
Total Score: 15/30
Combined Score: 24/50
Jen and Jan
Jen and Jan impressed the judges last week, but Jen didn’t seem to think she’d done her best yet. This week, dancing the quickstep to “Take On Me” by Rick Astley, was a lesson in framing for the MomTok star. Jen wanted to be perfect, and when they hit the ballroom floor, they were ready to move! They did break DWTS‘s infamous “lift rule,” but Carrie Ann said she wouldn’t dock them a point since Jan is new to the show.
Total Score: 22/30
Combined Score: 34/50
Robert and Witney
Robert brought the ballroom to life last week with his debut performance. This week, he and Witney wanted to continue to prove that they could hold onto their spot at the top of the leaderboard. They danced the tango to “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior. They brought a real 2000s feel to the floor, and the judges were obviously wowed. Bruno was, of course, loud in his praise. “Powerful, clean, clear…Full on Hugh Jackman!”
Total Score: 22/30
Combined Score: 37/50
Elaine and Alan
You won’t be able to get this dance out of your head. Dancing to one of the catchiest one-hit wonders, Elaine channeled her high school cheerleading days and acting credentials for a jive to “Hey, Mickey” by Tony Basil. They even had a surprise rehearsal visit from Tony Basil herself! Derek called Elaine an “amazing dancer” and praised the duo’s side-by-side. Bruno also thought they were versatile, but wanted to see more core control.
Total Score: 21/30
Combined Score: 33/50
Baron and Britt
Far from a one-hit wonder, Baron reminisced on the best of his basketball career before introducing Britt to his high school basketball coach and role model, Daryl Roper. Daryl watched Baron and Britt rehearse their smaba on the basketball court. In the end, Baron and Britt’s samba to “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison was a groovy number that the judges appreciated despite its timing and technique flaws. Carrie Ann pointed out that Baron was smooth and shouldn’t let mistakes take him out of the dance.
Total Score: 18/30
Combined Score: 28/50
Whitney and Mark
Celeb dancers Whitney wanted to hold onto the top of the leaderboard this week. She and Mark had Whitney’s TikTok fandom into a frenzy of support. They battled dizziness and fast footwork for their cha cha to “Play that Funky Music” by Wild Cherry. They blazed across the ballroom! “I’m gonna tell you, you’re definitely not a one-hit wonder,” Bruno said. He had a lot of praise for their cha cha.
Total Score: 22/30
Total Score: 37/50
Hilaria and Gleb
Hilaria was one of the top performers from week one, so she and Gleb planned to attack the tango for One Hit Wonder Night. They danced to “What Is Love” by Haddaway with so much energy that Derek said she needed to calm down! He thought she managed the tango well. Bruno praised her power and sass.
Total Score: 21/30
Combined Score: 35/50
Dylan and Daniella
Dylan brought the personality for his first routine, and despite some technical quirks, Derek and Bruno loved it. Jumping to the hardest style he can learn, Dylan and Danielle danced the samba to “Macarena (Bayside Boys Remix)” by Los Del Río. Their dance was a lesson in bounce and technique. Carrie Ann said she’s never seen “a contestant quite like you.” She was excited about his learning and progress over the last two weeks.
Total Score: 20/30
Combined Score: 30/50
Scott and Rylee
Less than happy about his scores from last week, Scott wanted to improve his technique for his performance to “Blue (Da Be Dee)” by Eiffel 65. His determination made their cha cha a dreamy, blue ballroom vibe. Goal achieved! Bruno said that Scott’s timing and consistency were better. “Keep going this way, my love.”
Total Score: 18/30
Combined Score: 28/50
The Elimination
While everyone was safe after the season premiere, it was time to face the music…or more realistically, the scores after two weeks of dancing. Two couples went home this week based on their combined judges’ scores and their live votes from both weeks.
The elimination started off with some obvious saves. Charismatic couples, including Danielle and Pasha, Dylan and Daniella, and Elaine and Alan were safe. Powerhouses Robert and Whitney were also safe. As the couples hugged and left the stage, it came down to three couples: Baron and Britt, Hilaria and Gleb, and Corey and Jenna. After a tense moment of silence, Alfonoso announced that Hilaria and Gleb would be continuing on.
The departing contestants had nothing but praise for their partners and experiences. Baron said that Britt was an incredible coach. “I haven’t been coached in a while, so to get off my butt and to get in the gym was incredible.” Corey also praised his pro partner. “Jenna is amazing…I feel really terrible because she deserved better.”