The Dancing With the Stars semi-finals will be one of the most game-changing episodes of the season. There’s just one week before the season 29 finale, and there’s going to be a double elimination during tonight’s episode. The remaining couples will perform twice. The first round is the redemption round, and the second round will feature the couples performing another style of dance.
Skai Jackson and Alan Bersten are up first with their redemption cha-cha to “Move Your Feet” by Junior Senior. The last time she danced the cha-cha, she made some major mistakes. This time around, she’s on fire. Bruno Tonioli raves that her legs were “so much better” this time. Carrie Ann Inaba says Skai was “so tight, so crisp.” Derek Hough calls the performance “brilliant.” He notes one little part at the beginning that was less than perfect, but it was otherwise “phenomenal.” Skai and Alan’s scores: Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 9; and Bruno = 9. Total score = 27 out of 30.
Justina Machado and Sasha Farber’s redemption dance is a tango to “El Tango de Roxanne” from Moulin Rouge. The intensity Justina and Sasha bring to the dance is excellent. Derek can’t stop raving over the performance. Bruno notes that it was “so much better” than their first tango. Carrie Ann gushes Justina is “on fire tonight,” and there was an “oozing sensuality” this time around because of Justina’s confidence. Justina and Sasha’s scores: Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 9. Total score = 28 out of 30. Derek gives Justina her first 10 of the season!
Johnny Weir and Britt Stewart hit the ballroom with their redemption salsa to “X” by Jonas Brothers featuring Karol G. Carrie Ann admits that she saw the work she wanted to see in this performance, but there was just a tiny misstep. Derek notes that it was a really “tough routine.” Bruno tells Johnny and Britt that he saw “great improvement” with this redemption dance even with the tiny tangle at the end. Johnny and Britt’s scores: Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 9; and Bruno = 9. Total score = 27 out of 30.
Nelly and Daniella Karagach’s redemption dance is a paso doble to “Run Boy Run” by Woodkid. Nelly performs shirtless, so the performance is HOT. Bruno tells Nelly he could see “shapes” and loved Nelly’s “restrained power.” Carrie Ann says there was a “regalness” to what Nelly was doing and “so much control.” Derek admits there was “definitely improvement” and Nelly’s focus was “so captivating.” Nelly and Daniella’s scores: Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 8; and Bruno = 9. Total score = 26 out of 30.
Nev Schulman and Jenna Johnson grace the ballroom with a redemption foxtrot to “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles. Derek raves over their “pure foxtrot” and how Nev was “in absolute control from start to finish.” Bruno loves that Nev “never lost it” and calls the performance “brilliant.” Carrie Ann tells Nev he is “mastering the technique” and is now a “true ballroom artist.” Nev and Jenna’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 30 out of 30.
Kaitlyn Bristowe and Artem Chigvintsev return to the ballroom for their redemption paso doble to “Hanuman” by Rodrigo Y Gabriela. Carrie Ann gives Kaitlyn and Artem a standing ovation and calls the performance “amazing.” After all the criticism, this is exactly what Kaitlyn has been wanting to hear. Both Bruno and Derek rave over the sizzling routine. Kaitlyn and Artem’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 30 out of 30.
Justina and Sasha’s second dance of the night is a contemporary to “Holding Out for a Hero” by Ella Mae Bowen and Bonnie Tyler. Derek gushes that he loves watching Justina dance. Bruno raves over Justina’s “freedom of movement” throughout the routine. Carrie Ann calls the performance “beautiful” and “authentic.” Justina and Sasha’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 30 out of 30.
Next up is Skai and Alan. Their second dance is a gorgeous Viennese waltz to “Lonely” by Noah Cyrus. Bruno notes that Skai and Alan maintained an “emotional connection” throughout the performance. Carrie Ann tells Skai that expressing her vulnerability took the performance to a “whole new level.” Derek raves that Skai’s frame was “gorgeous,” and it was a “perfect” routine. Skai and Alan’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 30 out of 30.
Johnny and Britt’s final dance of the semi-finals is a jazz to “I Lived” by OneRepublic. Carrie Ann gushes that the routine had this “feeling of hope.” Derek says he could feel the “genuine connection” between Johnny and Britt, which he thinks is so important. He admits he wants to give Johnny and Britt an 11! Bruno raves Johnny and Britt were “clean, clear” and had a “purity of line and form.” Johnny and Britt’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 30 out of 30.
Nev and Jenna perform a flawless contemporary routine to “If The World Was Ending” by JP Saxe and Julia Michaels. Derek is nearly speechless and says this “phenomenal” performance was “wonderful to witness.” Carrie Ann tells Jenna her choreography was “amazing.” She loves that Jenna didn’t hold back at all with Nev in this routine. He delivered every single step perfectly. Nev and Jenna’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 30 out of 30. They have two perfect scores!
Nelly and Daniella’s second routine of the night is a jive to “Jump Jive An’ Wail” by The Brian Setzer Orchestra. During rehearsals, things got heated as Daniella pushed Nelly harder than ever before. Their sizzling jive earns a standing ovation from all three judges. “Nelly, you nailed it!” Bruno declares. He wonders where this Nelly has been this whole time! Carrie Ann says this was definitely Nelly’s breakthrough dance, and Derek echos what Bruno said. Nelly and Daniella’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 30 out of 30.
The final performance of the night is Kaitlyn and Artem’s contemporary to “Cowboy Take Me Away” by The Chicks. This performance is dedicated to her childhood best friend who died in a car accident 17 years ago. It’s a truly stunning performance. Carrie Ann admits that she’s been waiting for Kaitlyn to do a contemporary, and she did not disappoint. Bruno raves it was “powerful, beautiful, [and] another fantastic dance” from Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn and Artem’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 10; and Bruno = 10. Total score = 30 out of 30. They are tied with Nev and Jenna at the top of the leaderboard with two perfect scores!
The first finalists are Nelly and Daniella, along with Nev and Jenna and Kaitlyn and Artem. This means Justina and Sasha, Skai and Alan, and Johnny and Britt. The couple with the least votes is eliminated first, which is Johnny and Britt. Now it’s down to Justina and Sasha, along with Skai and Alan. The judges have to save only one of the couples. Derek chooses to save Justina and Sasha. Carrie saves Justina and Sasha. This means Skai and Alan are the second couple to be eliminated.