Dancing with the Stars celebrated American dance styles with Soul Train Night for the first of its two-night special after a week off. The show opened with a groovy 1970s-inspired opening number featuring Soul Train veteran Popin Pete choreographed by Luam.
Oscar-nominated actress and Emmy-nominated choreographer and former Soul Train dancer Rosie Perez also joined the judges’ panel for Soul Train Night. For the night, the dancers and their partners can add hip hop and jazz styles to their ballroom dances, and Rosie specifically requested that she see the competing couples “boogie.”
Phaedra and Val
Phaedra shared her memories of watching Soul Train for new dances and fashion as well as diversity on TV. She and Val decided to quickstep to Aretha Franklin in pink and red sparkles, fringe, and curls for days. These two set the tone for the evening in dress and performance as they moved across the floor, earning love and praise from Derek and the compliment, “totally retro-fabulous” from Bruno. After technical feedback from our usual judges, Rosie shared that Phaedra has boogie-ing down.
Total Score: 30/40
Ilona and Alan
Taking on dancing in frame for the first time, Ilona and Alan had to balance technique with their soul train boogie as they rehearsed their foxtrot to “Lady Marmalade.” Their performance was so smooth! Burno praised their glamour and grace. “That was a proper, proper foxtrot,” he said. Rosie congratulated Ilona on her accomplishments as a rugby star and a dancer.
Total Score: 30/40
Eric and Britt
Footwork drew the judges’ attention away from their dance last week, so Eric and Britt worked hard to get their foxtrot in shape this week. Carrie Ann praised Eric for bringing the dance to life with movement and storytelling. She asked him to bend his knees a bit more, but overall, her feedback was positive. “I am so proud of you, my friend,” Rosie said, empathizing with Eric’s struggles since recovering from back surgery.
Total Score: 24/40
Stephen and Rylee
Dancing the quickstep to “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder challenged Stephen to loosen up his gymnastic posture and dance in frame. Stephen and Rylee grooved across the floor without a single good luck charm or superstition. Rosie called Stephen “so cute” so many times which seemed to balance out the stiffness of his dance moves for her. Derek liked their breezy and light dance even with room to improve.
Total Score: 30/40
Brooks and Gleb
Disagreeing about whether or not their scores were high enough last week, Brooks and Gleb practiced their rumba this week with the intent to wow. Their dance had Bruno and Derek in a daze. Derek called their dancing “beautiful,” and Bruno said their moves could “bring the dead back to life.” Rosie said that Brooks is a beautiful dancer and encouraged her to bring it with her entire body, not just from the neck up.
Total Score: 28/40
Joey and Jenna
Let’s jive! Joey and Jenna wanted to move up the leaderboard by surprising the judges this week, but before they could surprise the judges with Joey’s backflip, they had to master fast footwork. “Joey! We have a new king!” Bruno shouted. He wasn’t the only one yelling. “Young man, you know how to boogie,” Rosie said after their performance.
Total Score: 34/40
Dwight and Daniella
After travel got in the way, Dwight and Daniella had only two days to learn their cha cha this week. They grooved across the floor, though, even managing a slide that sent Dwight through Daniella’s legs. Carrie Ann still wanted to see more, sharing that his joy couldn’t disguise his last of practice. Rosie agreed. She loved Dwight’s passion, but wanted to see more.
Total Score: 23/40
Danny and Witney
Danny’s Michael Jackson dance moves aren’t as good as he thought. During rehearsal, Witney had to break it to him that his moon walk was more walk than dance move. Their foxtrot was lively enough to get compliments from Rosie, but she wanted to see them doing more. Their confidence belongs on the dance floor! Derek praised Danny for getting better each week.
Total Score: 30/40
Reginald and Emma
After celebrating the love the audience has for Reggie, this duo got to work on their foxtrot. They used their joy to bring this foxtrot to life while Reginald continued to expand his collection of dance steps. Derek shared that he loves watching Reginald dance, nad he loved their performance. “I’m going to do laid-back cool semi-trot,” Bruno said of this dance, sharing his own love for Reginald. Rosie said she loves and adores Reginald.
Total Score: 21/40
Jenn and Sasha
Dancing the Viennese waltz this week, Jenn and Sasha felt right at home in frame where they could put the judge’s feedback to work. Bruno and Carrie Ann praised the chemistry and this duo achieved on the dance floor. Rosie was on board, too. “It was hot. It was fly. It was all that.”
Total Score: 31/40
Chandler and Brandon
Ending the night with a hip hop-inspired cha cha to Run-DMC, Chandler and Brandon were all in for Soul Train night. In fact, they brought in original Soul Train dancer Reginald Thornton to give them tips for adding a little more boogie to their moves. Carrie Ann obsessed over their partnership and choreography. She wasn’t the only one. “Your routine personified the feeling of soul and Soul Train,” Rosie said. She loved every aspect of their routine.
Total Score: 36/40
When the night ended, Chandler and Brandon secured a spot at the top of the leaderboard while Reginald and Emma hung on at the bottom. These scores combined with live votes will be factored into the elimination when the second half of the two-episode special airs. Dancing with the Stars returns for Hair Metal Night tonight, Tuesday, October 8!
