Dancing With the Stars returned on Monday for the fourth week of competition, and the stars are getting emotional for “Top 13 Night.”
After the season’s second elimination last week, the 13 celebs who are still standing — along with their pro partners — are duking it out for the mirrorball trophy as they hit the stage and reflect on emotional, important and formative moments from their pasts.
As Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli judge and score the performances — and new host Tyra Banks adds her own commentary to the competition — 360APROKO will be following along throughout the two-hour episode to break down all the best dances, emotional moments and most shocking scores.
The show kicked off on Monday at 8 p.m. 360APROKO/PT on ABC, and 360APROKO is bringing you all the highlights in real time with our live blog coverage below!
And the Second Star Going Home Is… It’s been an emotional night, but it’s time to see who’s going home.
After Tyra reads though the 11 couples who are safe — which really takes an insanely long time — we learn which two couples are in jeopardy.
After a mishap, that is. With three couples left on stage, Tyra reveals that Monica and Val — whom she’s already declared safe — were actually one of the couples in jeopardy.
She says this after incorrectly stating that Vernon and Sharna were in the bottom two, which they weren’t.
Ultmately, after the confusion subsided, it all came down to Anne and Keo against Monica and Val.
Carrie Ann and Derek both vote to save Monica and Val, meaning Anne and Keo are going home.
Anne graciously blows kisses to her fellow contestants as the show comes to an awkwardly abrupt end.
So long and farewell, Anne Heche!
AJ McLean Brings Backstreet Back: Larger than life, indeed!
AJ McLean definitely hit the dance floor with a crowd pleasing number that saw a virtual, digital, high-tech reunion of the Backstreet Boys.
Coming out with Cheryl for a cha cha set to “Larger Than Live,” AJ largely stayed in the spotlight and was joined for a choreographed performance by towering virtual representations of his bandmates.
“You’re living legends, and that was fantastic!” Derek says after the performance.
“What a great way to end! Tonight has been so much fun,” Carrie Ann marvels, adding that the performance felt like being at a full concert.
For their efforts, the couple earned three 8s for a total of 24 out of 30.
Skai Emotionally Honors Her Friend Cameron Boyce: Skai Jackson dedicates tonight’s number to her friend and former co-star Cameron Boyce, who died last year at the age of 20.
“He was in my life for half of my life. I met him on “Jessie,” he was a big brother figure for me. And molded me into the person I ended up to be,” Skai shares in the pre-taped package, as Alan gets choked up.
The pair come out and deliver a stunning foxtrot set to John Legend’s “Ordinary People” that brought the judges to tears.
“I’m sure that Cameron is watching you right now, and he’s so proud of you. What you did, you were like an angel dancing the most beautiful dance,” Carrie Ann says through tears. “It was sheer perfection.”
“This was my absolute favorite dance of the night,’ Derek gushes.
Carrie Ann’s tears were reflected in her score for Skai — the season’s first 10! Meanwhile, Bruno and Derek award 9s for a grand total of 28 out of 30 — easily the highest score of the night and the season.
Jesse & Sharna Deliver ‘Smooth’ Cha-Cha
6:32 PM: Jesse Metcalfe spends most of his pre-taped package talking about his love of vintage hot rods and classic cars. It’s a sweet way to get an inside look at Jesse’s psyche — even if it doesn’t play a big role in his performance.
The actor hits the stage with Sharna for a cha cha set to Sanata’s classic hit “Smooth,” and while there’s a lot to like, the judges all seem to feel it was lacking personality.
Bruno laments the lack of hip action, while Carrie Ann says the star spent a lot of time looking at Sharna’s feet and says it seems like he’s holding back.
Despite the copious notes and critiques, the pair still earn three 7s for a total of 21 out of 30 — which really makes you wonder how good he could do if he takes their notes to heart.
Vernon and Peta Stay Together for Sultry Rumba
6:25 AM: Vernon and Peta are holding it down when it comes to the sexiness and sultry numbers.
The pair wow with a rumba set to “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green, and it’s obviously all part of the performance, but they certainly have a lot of chemistry.
The judges are floored by their number, and their heat together, and award the pair two 7s and an 8 for a total of 22 out of 30.
Jeannie & Brandon Rock Out With Their Tango
6:15 PM: Even after last week’s impressive performance, Jeannie is having a hard time winning over her mom. We learned this week that Jeannie’s mom has started a betting pool — and she’s betting against her own daughter!
Tonight, she hits the dance floor with the intention of showing her mom why she shouldn’t bet against her. Jeannie and Brandon hit the stage to deliver a Tango to The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army,” and — aside from one minor misstep at the end — it’s absolutely incredible.
“I would not bet against you, with all that fire and all that passion,” Carrie Ann shares. “That is what we are going to need more of.”
The pair end up earning three 7s — which likely would have been 8s if not for the misstep — for a formidable total of 21 out of 30.
Johnny & Britt Bring Rock Out to Elton John
6:06 PM: Johnny Weir is finally opening up on the dance floor!
The Olympian and his pro partner bring all the energy and charisma they can muster (which is no small amount) to the stage for their jive set to Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” and it’s pure, unadulterated fun.
Bruno, Carrie Ann and Derek all commend the star for bringing his full personality to the number, and for delivering a dance that was anything but ordinary.
The pair earn three 8s for a total of 24 out of 30 — which marks their highest total of the season thus far
Kaitlyn & Artem Deliver ‘Crazy Beautiful’ Performance
6:00 PM: Kaitlyn dedicates tonight’s Viennese Waltz to her boyfriend, and the tribute is truly special when she and Artem manage to deliver a truly magical, classy number set to Luke Combs’ “Beautiful Crazy.”
“That was just so beautifully danced. Just every week you are better and better,” Derek marvels.
Carrie Ann and Bruno both shower them with praise as well, and express their desire to see if Kaitlyn is as good at Latin dance styles as she is with ballroom numbers.
The praise is backed up when Carrie Ann awards the couple with the season’s very first 9! Added to the 8s from Derek and Bruno, and they’ve taken the top spot on the leaderboard with a total of 25 out of 30.
Justina Machado Finds Inspiration From Her Late Grandma
5:52 PM: Justina gets emotional in her pretaped package, thinking about her family and how she is the product of a lot of loving, hardworking people who came before her.
The actress gets emotional and chokes up thinking about her late grandmother, who died in 2006.
“Any time I get scared, I just have to remember all the incredible courage she had,” she shares. “She taught me anything is possible if you do the hard work. And I will absolutely be dancing, thinking about her, sending her all my love.”
And there was a lot of love in her performance with Sasha as the two deliver a larger than life salsa set to “Que Viva La Vida” by Wisin that gets the judges up on their feet and dancing behind the desk.
“That was so much fun! Oh, my gosh. It comes from within you, and that’s what is so fun to watch you dance, it’s so authentic!” Derek shares.
The pair receive a ton of love from the judges and earn three 8s for a total of 24 out of 30.
Nev Dishes On the Love of His Life Ahead of Romantic Rumba
5:43 PM: Nev’s rumba this week is set to Celine Dion’s “Because You Loved Me,” so it only makes sense that he introduces the love of his life in his pre-taped segment.
Nev reveals that he actually met his wife over Instagram when she DM’d him about borrowing his motorcycle for a film shoot, and the rest was romantic history.
When Nev and Jenna hit the stage for their performance, the two were “like a vision” as Carrie Ann says, and they really blow the judges away.
“That was like a romantic dream set to music,” Bruno shares, before Nev reveals that he actually trimmed his chest hair and manscaped just for Bruno’s approval.
“I actually trimmed for you, Bruno. It’s the first time I’ve seen my nipples in 15 years,” Nev quips.
The pair end up earning three 8s for a total of 24 out of 30.
Nev and Jenna are quickly becoming one of the most consistent pair this season, and are definitely among those who have a shot to win.
Anne & Keo ‘Rise’ to the Occasion
5:33 PM: Anne Heche really opened up about her experience being ostracized in the late ’90s for her relationship with Ellen DeGeneres, and she reflects on how her love — and her refusal to hide who she is — essentially cost her her career.
It adds a whole other level of depth to her performance, when she hits the dance floor, in a rainbow cloak, to perform a powerful paso doble set to Katy Perry’s “Rise” with Keo.
“It makes me so happy to see progress each week,” Derek shares. “So good work.”
Bruno calls Anne a “multicolored warrior” and said it was her “most focused performance to date.”
“You don’t give up, and we don’t give up rooting for you,” Carrie Ann says. “You have more to learn, but I’m rooting for you and I think everyone else is.”
For their efforts, Anne and Keo earn three 7s for a total of 21 out of 30.
Monica & Val Party in the Ballroom
5:24 PM: After a surprising pre-taped package in which Monica has heart-to-heart with her pro partner and confronts him about being too hard on her, the pair hit the dance floor and it’s clear that the speech allowed them to really find their footing as equals.
The duo perform a fun samba set to a cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Party In the USA,” and Bruno had nothing but praise for the performance.
“I just felt it was necessary for us to have a conversation in order to get the best out of each other,” Monica says after Tyra asks about her conversation with Val.
“It’s like therapy in front of millions of people,” Val quips.
Whatever they felt they needed to do, it clearly worked. The pair earn three 8s for a total of 24 out of 30.
Chrishell & Gleb ‘Adore’ a Good Foxtrot
5:15 PM: After sharing a look inside her life — including an effort to freeze her eggs and her painful divorce — Chrishell hits the stage with Gleb for an elegant foxtrot set to “Adore You” by Harry Styles.
It was a classy, delicate number that impressed the judges with how much she’s grown as a performer and a presence on the stage.
“You look so much more comfortable and confident,” Derek marveled. “For me, this was your best dance.”
After the feedback, Chrisell addresss how she stays motivated and passionate about sharing her IVF journey.
“I feel like it’s just taking your power back in the situation,” she explains “Before, I was scared, what if somebody sees me? what if I’m outed? But if I say it, there’s no power in it. I’m doing it, and people should be bonded by it.”
The pair end up earning 7s from Carrie Ann and Bruno and an 8 from Derek for a total of 22 out of 30.
Nelly and Daniella Are Tryin for a Win
5:09 PM: Nelly is clearing doing what he can to learn the paso doble, but from the footage of his rehearsal, it’s hard to tell how that work is going to pay off.
The pair hit the stage for a paso doble set to DJ Khaled’s “All I Do Is Win” and it’s certainly a unique pairing of song to dance style, to say the least.
Nelly and Daniella seem to have a good time, and the judges seem to be really entertained by it as well.
“I really liked that” Derek shares, as Bruno says that he has “the right attitude” to be a pro.
Carrie Ann praises the performance as well, and calls it an “improvement” over last week’s number.
The scores reflect that as well. The pair earned three 7s for a total of 21 out of 30. That’s three points higher than last week’s number.
A Special Message from Our Stars
5:01 PM: Every DWTS kicks off with a comedy sketch, and this week we got a public service announcement — about the pain and heartbreak caused by the judges’ comments.
It’s great to see the celebs poke fun at themsevles, but AJ McLean asking the crew if they think Bruno was right and if he actually looks like Vin Diesel might be the highlight of the whole night.
Last week, fans had to bid farewell to Tiger King star and big cat activist Carole Baskin, who was the second star to leave the competition after NBA legend Charles Oakley in week 2.
Meanwhile, AJ McLean recently spoke with 360APROKO and teased the Backstreet Boys performance he’s got planned for this week.
McLean and pro partner Cheryl Burke will be performing a Cha Cha set to “Larger Than Life,” and McLean hinted that fans can expect some familiar faces to be a part of the number.
