Welcome back for Dancing with the Stars Season 32, Episode 9. Hopefully, there won’t be any Bad Blood in the ballroom, because it is Taylor Swift Appreciation Night this week.
Mandy Moore, whose choreography has been seen in La La Land and SYTYCD, is joining as the guest judge this evening. She also choreographed Taylor’s mega-successful Eras Tour.
Last week, we had to bid farewell to Barry Williams and his partner, Peta Murgatroyd. At least Barry went out on a bare-chested high.
Remember, your vote counts. During the live East Coast broadcast, fans can vote at ABC.com and also vote via text. As always, votes will be combined with the judges’ scores to determine who is eliminated.
Let’s get into the recap! The opening number, set to Love Story, was romantic and dreamy. It was choreographed by Mandy Moore.
Host Alfonso Ribeiro asked three-time Emmy winner Mandy what the couples needed to do to make it to the semi-final round. She responded, “You put in the work, you put in the hours, you have to trust in the process, and you have to go. It’s live. It’s go time, kids! You’ve got to go!”
A message from Taylor Swift
The hosts presented a video message from T. Swift. “Hey guys, it’s Taylor. I just wanted to say thank you so much for having this … me-themed night on Dancing with the Stars. I so wish I could be there to see what you and your amazing choreographers and my friend, Mandy Moore, have put together,” Taylor said. She continued, “I wish I could be there, but I’m on tour in Brazil. But I’m sending you guys all my love and best of luck to all the contestants.”
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Cha-Cha to You Belong With Me.
Actress Alyson Hannigan is a big Swiftie along with her daughters. Alyson and Sasha Farber’s Cha-Cha was a fun call-out to the music video.
Judge Derek Hough said the timing was off, and he sounded like it might not be good enough to make the semi-finals. Mandy called her “fearless.” Carrie Ann Inaba wanted more choreography for Alyson. Host Julianne Hough pointed out that Alyson is the biggest Swiftie in the cast.
Alyson received 29 out of 40 points.
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
Rumba to Cruel Summer.
Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov danced a graceful and sensuous Rumba. Mandy called her “a superstar.” Bruno Tonioli said her body “was singing.” Carrie Ann called out her “lyrical” movement.
Ariana earned 37 out of 40 points. Seriously? What does Ariana have to do to squeeze a 10 out of Carrie Ann?
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Argentine Tango to Don’t Blame Me.
Singer Jason Mraz has performed with Taylor before. Daniella Karagach said that this Argentine Tango needs to be their “redemption dance.” Her husband, Pasha, came in to demonstrate choreography for Jason.
Derek and Bruno gave Jason a standing ovation for the sexy and brooding performance. Bruno exclaimed, “Reputation restored! You are back with a massive hit!”
Carrie Ann said she was proud of him. Derek shouted out Jason’s confidence. Mandy wrote down the words “grounded” and “epic.”
Jason scored 40 out of 40 points. His first perfect score!
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold
Rumba to August.
Too Hot to Handle star Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold worked on their Rumba this week. I must admit to feeling frustrated that Harry, with his problematic history, is voted through while promising dancers go home.
Carrie Ann has mixed feelings. There is a lot of content, but his dancing needs work.
Derek said that sometimes Harry has “a blank space face.” But Harry showed confidence tonight. Mandy said that the performance “was beautiful.”
Harry received 30 out of 40 points.
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Argentine Tango to Look What You Made Me Do.
The Bachelorette star Charity Lawson and her partner, Artem Chigvintsev, danced an Argentine Tango filled with tricks and lifts.
Derek called it “precise” and said that she has “the best legs in the competition.” Mandy wanted some more dynamics in the routine. “No one has lines as beautiful as you,” Carrie Ann said. But she felt like the emotion was missing from Charity’s face.
Charity received 38 out of 40 points.
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Quickstep to Paper Rings.
Actress Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy danced a quickstep. They showed it to Xochitl’s mom who accompanies her to all of her rehearsals. They gave Taylor a shout-out during the performance by holding up a slip of paper that said, “We love you, Taylor.”
Mandy called the duo “poetry in motion.” She gave Xochitl a friendship bracelet. Bruno called it “light, beautiful, and extremely enjoyable.”
Carrie Ann called Xochitl “the most animated and enthusiastic performer we have ever had in the history of Dancing with the Stars.” Wow! But she called out Xochitl for losing her focus. Derek wants to see her in the finals.
Xochitl received 38 out of 40 points.
Performance by the dance pros
The pros danced a gorgeous contemporary routine to the song, Style (Taylor’s version). Emma Slater is hosting the tour again. Julianne will be joining the DWTS cast on some stops.
The dance relay competition
During the relay competition, the six remaining couples were split into two teams. Each couple will dance one after the other. The judges will award three bonus points to the winner of each round.
Ariana and Pasha vs Xochitl and Val
Viennese Waltz – Lover.
This is Ariana’s first head-to-head contest. The judges said it was difficult to choose a winner.
The winners are Xochitl and Val!
Alyson and Sasha vs Harry and Rylee
Jive – Shake It Off (Taylor’s version).
This is a new style for both duos. Again, it was a close contest.
The winners are Alyson and Sasha!
Jason and Daniella vs Charity and Artem
Cha-Cha – Lavender Haze.
Both Jason and Charity have done the Cha-Cha before. Charity won the Dance-Off with her Cha-Cha last week. That doesn’t seem fair.
The winners are Jason and Daniella!
The leaderboard
Jason and Daniella are at the top of the leaderboard with 43 points, followed by Xochitl and Val with 41 points. Harry and Rylee are at the bottom of the leaderboard with 30 points.
The final three
While not necessarily the bottom three, two of these couples are safe:
- Charity and Artem
- Harry and Rylee
- Alyson and Sasha
Going home tonight
Harry and Rylee were sent home just short of the semi-finals.
Dancing with the Stars continues on Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+.
TELL US – WHO HAD THE BEST ROUTINE? DID THE RIGHT COUPLE GO HOME? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF TAYLOR SWIFT NIGHT?
