Dancing with the Stars returned for the second time this week with another look at classic American dance moves. Hair Metal Night brought wild ‘dos, lycra pants, and electric guitar to the ballroom floor. The night started with a leather-clad “Rock and Roll All Nite” opening number choreographed by Pasha Pashkov and featured Whitesnake guitarist Joel Hoekstra.
The second guest judge for this week’s two-night special was Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and KISS frontman Gene Simmons. His request for the contestants? “I wanna see every one of these contestants step up there and channel their inner rock gods.”
Danny and Witney
Witney set a goal for eights and and nines from the judges this week, but Danny said “Rockstars get 10s.” To achieve this, they had to master power and form for their heavy metal pasodoble to “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Bruno said they put everything they had into this performance, but he warned Danny against cutting his moves short.
Total Score: 30/40
Two-Night Score: 60/80
Reginald and Emma
This duo ended on the bottom of the leaderboard after Soul Train Night, but they have been an audience favorite from the start. Dancing two nights in a row is hard for Reginald, but he pulled through for a cha cha. Emma and Reginald danced with an ensemble of audience members and troup dancers before they hit the floor. Carrie Ann shared her love for Reginald, and encouraged him to support Emma a little more. Bruno praised Reginald for working hard and working “the look.”
Total Score: 21/40
Two-Night Score: 42/80
Chandler and Brandon
The jive was all new for Chandler. Getting into her hair metal “rebel” persona was too. These dancers pulled off an aggressive “We’re Not Gonna Take It” jive that had the audience cheering and raising lyrics-covered protest signs. Derek loved their moves but advised Chandler to keep up her stamina. “You’re so good that you could literally split the beat in two,” Bruno told Chandler. “Remember that.”
Total Score: 33/40
Two-Night Score: 69/80
Brooks and Gleb
Brooks and Gleb wowed with their rumba during Soul Train Night, so they competed with themselves as they danced the cha cha. They were not afraid to bring it, including impressive tricks in their choreography. Bruno lost his jacket praising Brooks’ moves, and Carrie Ann commented on her focus and confidence on the floor. It looks like Brooks took Rosie’s advice not to be a “neck dancer” to heart.
Total Score: 33/40
Two-Night Score: 61/80
Stephen and Rylee
Bruno challenged this couple to up their timing and musicality. Their Hair Metal Night performance put this challenge in front of everyone as they danced the foxtrot in black with Joel Hoekstra on electric guitar behind them. Bruno noticed the work they put in. He said, “I love a good student!” Clearly, Stephen and Rylee did their homework and got a passing grade. Frame, timing, and musicality? Check! Now he has an assignment from Derek and Carrie Ann: perform in character.
Total Score: 32/40
Two-Night Score: 62/80
Dwight and Daniella
Reduced rehearsal time seriously impacted Dwight and Daniella’s Soul Train Night scores. Determined to improve their scores with a hair metal pasodoble, they air guitared and leaped across the ballroom. Carrie Ann said Dwight was back in the game and that this duo has even solved their height difference.
Total Score: 29/40
Two-Night Score: 52/80
Eric and Britt
This week’s 80s throwback meant revisiting Eric a major car accident he experienced in his youth. Taking inspiration from that, Eric fought through his footwork frustrations to create a hardcore pasodoble. Derek loved Eric’s “determination and spirit” throughout this performance despite some timing issues in the middle. Carrie Ann liked seeing Eric grow in confidence and the impact that growth had on the routine.
Total Score: 22/40
Two-Night Score: 46/80
Ilona and Alan
Hair Metal is the music to grind to, so Ilona and Alan hit the gym before they rehearsed for their guitar-heavy jive. The studio audience was too loud to hear Gene’s comments, complimenting this couple’s commitment to their dance. Bruno said their attitude was perfect, and Carrie Ann and Derek agreed. Unfortunately, Ilona’s timing was off which she took hard.
Total Score: 26/40
Two-Night Score: 56/80
Jenn and Sasha
Jenn and Sasha were some of the stars of the show on Soul Train Night. They had to continue to bring it. Their hair metal moves had them heating up the ballroom floor with a pasodoble. Their choreography had the dance floor electrified as they marched across the stage. “I was like…let’s go!” Derek said commenting on the energy and technique they brought.
Total Score: 31/40
Two-Night Score: 62/80
Phaedra and Val
Following with another pasodoble, Phaedra and Val wanted to create a performance that emphasized the style’s storytelling, sassiness, and drama. Carrie Ann commented on the strength of their performance, but she focused more on their mistakes. She wanted to see them less square and more energetic. Derek disagreed, saying they had plenty of energy, but he did want to see Pahedrea improve her technique.
Total Score: 26/40
Two-Night Score: 56/80
Joey and Jenna
Fun fact: Joey had a childhood dream of being in a rock band. He channeled that dream in his tango, dedicated to this week’s guest judge. Derek said this was “the best tango [he’s] seen from a male celebrity ever!” Gene agreed, saying that he thinks Joey will only get better and better. Joey managed to cover all of his bases, from technique to character, this week.
Total Score: 36/40
Two-Night Score: 70/80
The Elimination
The results from Soul Train Night and Hair Metal Night along with the audience’s votes contributed to this week’s double elimination. As Alfonso and Julianne announced the safe couples, three hair metal duos were left on the stage. Ilona and Alan, Reginald and Emma, Eric and Britt waited anxiously to find out who was safe. In the end, Ilona and Alan left the stage while Reginald and Eric were left to say their goodbyes.
Next week, the remaining nine couples return for Dedication Night to celebrate their personal heroes and icons with guest judge Mark Ballas on Tuesday, October 15 at 8:00pm ET.
