Erin Kolanko
Contributing Writer
It’s time to get back in the ballroom. “Dancing With The Stars” is halfway through its 35th season. The season started out with 16 energy filled couples, but only 10 couples remain in the competition.
Week one of the competition started off with a two episode premiere with the theme, number one hits from their birth years. Male stars competed on Sept. 15 and the female stars competed on Sept. 16. At the end of each night one couple was eliminated.
After performing their salsa to the song “Whoomp! (There it is)” by Tag Team, the male star that was eliminated was Conner Leavitt and his professional partner, Adele Zaikman.
Following their jive to the song “Sk8ter Boi,” by Avril Lavigne, the female star who had to exit the competition was Sarah Jane Nader and her professional partner, Hailey Bills.
Week two was Viral Hits night. Couples danced to Tik Toks most popular tunes. Some of which include a tango to the song “All The Things She Said” by Harrison performed by star Amber Glenn and professional dancer Pasha Pashkov as well as a jive to the viral hit “Animal” by KATSEYE performed by star Jenna Dewan and professional dancer, Val Chmerkovskiy.
Another week, another elimination. Unfortunately following their performance of a salsa to the song “Bella Ciao” by the artist Becky G the couple that was eliminated was Giada De Laurentiis and her partner, Alen Bertsen.
There was nothing but smooth sailing in the ballroom as Yacht Rock night took over week 4. The remaining couples danced to Yacht Rock’s most classic hits.
To name a few, Julia Stiles and her partner Ezra Sosa performed a salsa to the song “I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)” by Daryl Hall and John Oates, while Guillermo Rodriguez and his partner Witney Carson performed a foxtrot to the song “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Holmes.
After a fun night sailing the ocean another couple had to leave the competition. Following their foxtrot to “What A Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers the couple that was eliminated was Taylor Hansen and his partner Britt Stewert.
Week four was filled with all of Mariah Carey’s top hits for Mariah Carey night. Routines consisted of including but not limited to a rumba performed by Connor Wood and his partner Rylee Arnold to the song “Touch My Body” by Mariah Carey and a waltz to the song “If It’s Over” by Mariah Carey performed by Maura Higgins and her partner Mark Ballas.
The competition said goodbye to another couple. After a jazz to the song “Emotions” by Mariah Carey the couple that went home was Ciara Miller and her partner Brandon Armstrong.
DWTS scored a touchdown with Super Bowl night. Stars and their partners danced to some of the most memorable half time performances. During the show, DWTS alumni who played in the National Football League even returned to the ballroom: Emmitt Smith, Donald Driver, DeMarcus Ware and Danny Amendola.
ESPN sportscaster Joe Buck joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli as a guest judge for the night.
An incomplete pass was made when another couple had to leave the competition on Super Bowl Night. Pro dancer Witney Carson danced through the competition 5 months pregnant. Unfortunately, she and her star partner Guillermo Rodriquez were sent home.
During the show, Harry Shum Jr. and his partner Jenna Johnson had a lift in their routine. During traditional ballroom and latin styles they strictly prohibit any types of lifts. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba called out the lift, then while another judge was giving their commentary, she jumped over their words to read the definition of a lift in a sarcastic and snarky way.
That left fans in shock as they didn’t agree with the way she handled it. The following day Johnson’s husband and fellow professional dancer on the show Chmerkovskiy, who is partnered with Dewan made a comment on instagram that stated “You almost saw Fresh Prince enter the ballroom last night,” referencing the 2022 Will Smith Oscars incident.
Fans took it as he was talking about the part of the incident where Smith stated “Keep my wife’s name out of your mouth,” at Chris Rock after slapping him over a joke that Rock made about Smith’s wife.
Carrie Ann took it as she was being threatened by Chmerkovskiy and later reported it to HR. Following that incident, Chmerkovskiy was given a one week suspension from the show and was unable to participate in week five’s dedication night.
Due to Chmerkovskiy not being able to perform for that show, Alan Bersten stepped in to perform with Dewan for Dedication night.
Week five’s dedication night was filled with all kinds of emotions. Tyler Cameron and his partner Sharna Burgess performed a contemporary to the song “Supermarket Flowers” by Ed Sheeran which was dedicated to mothers everywhere.
Throughout the dance, Cameron was joined by his fiancé, and towards the end of the dance, they announced they were expecting their first baby. Directly after performing they even had a gender reveal and everyone found out they were having a baby girl.
After an emotional night they announced that there would not be an elimination. Instead they would be having a double elimination that will take place on Halloween night on Oct. 27.
Five more weeks remain in the competition and there is only one couple who will take home the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Who will it be?