The Season 34 semi-finals of 'Dancing With The Stars' brought a thrilling tribute to the High Priest of Pop, Prince. With a challenging night ahead, the remaining six couples faced a unique task: performing two individual dances, including a repeat of a previous style and a new dance style. The tension was palpable as the night unfolded, with each performance bringing its own drama and surprises.
The first to take the stage was actor Elaine Hendrix, who, with her partner Alan Bersten, delivered a stunning foxtrot to 'I Wanna Be Your Lover'. The routine was a high-energy start to the show, with Hendrix jumping for joy after nailing the performance. The judges praised her, with Derek Hough calling it 'beautiful' and 'incredible'. However, they also noted the need for more 'fight' in her next performance, earning her a score of 27 out of 30.
Next up was social media personality Alix Earle, who, with Val Chmerkovskiy, performed an Argentine tango to 'Little Red Corvette'. Earle's performance was a follow-up to her perfect score last week, and she impressed the judges with her improved technique. Bruno Tonioli called her 'the most improved', and while all judges loved it, they also noted areas for improvement. Earle's score was 28 out of 30.
Whitney Leavitt, from 'The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives', showcased her cha cha skills again, this time to '1999'. Leavitt and her partner Mark Ballas received a perfect score last week, and they aimed to keep the hot streak going. The judges had mixed opinions, with Carrie Ann Inaba praising the dance but Derek Hough disagreeing. Leavitt's score was 29 out of 30.
Reality TV star Dylan Efron, with Daniella Karagach, performed a tango to 'I Would Die 4 U'. Efron had his 'breakthrough moment' with his Argentine tango last week, and he aimed to keep the momentum going. The judges agreed that he had improved, with Tonioli calling him 'very, very much improved'. Efron's score was 27 out of 30.
Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles, with Ezra Sosa, brought energy with her jive routine to 'Raspberry Beret'. Chiles aimed for her perfect score, and her performance was impressive. However, the judges noted a timing mistake, preventing a perfect score. Chiles' score was 27 out of 30.
Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, with Witney Carson, received the first perfect score of the season for their jive routine to 'Baby I'm a Star'. Carson wanted to showcase Irwin's growth, and their performance paid off. The judges were floored, with Tonioli exclaiming 'Superstar jive!' and Inaba adding that it was a sign of a strong finale performance. Irwin and Carson's score was 30 out of 30.
The night continued with new dance styles, as Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten performed a paso doble to 'When Doves Cry', earning a perfect score of 30 out of 30 for the first time. Alix Earle, with Val Chmerkovskiy, brought vulnerability to her Viennese waltz to 'Purple Rain', also earning a perfect score of 30 out of 30.
Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach's cha cha to 'Kiss' impressed the judges, with Efron showing improved confidence and hip movement. Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas' Viennese waltz to 'Slow Love' was their 'absolute favorite' this season, earning a score of 29 out of 30.
Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa's Argentine tango to 'U Got the Look' was a challenge for Chiles, but she managed to avoid kicking her partner. Robert Irwin and Witney Carson's Viennese waltz to 'WOW' was a thrilling performance, earning a score of 29 out of 30.
The judges' scores placed Irwin and Carson at the top, while Efron and Karagach were at the bottom. The shocking elimination of Whitney Leavitt and Mark Ballas left everyone in awe, as they bid farewell to the competition.
The finals are set to air next week, with the remaining couples battling it out for the title. Who will emerge as the champion? Stay tuned to find out!
