“Dancing with the Stars” Recap: Fashion Designer Betsey Johnson Eliminated

ABC/Adam Taylor(NEW YORK) — Fashion designer Betsey Johnson her pro partner, Tony Dovolani, were eliminated on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Monday night.

After learning her fate, the colorful fashion designer was full of gratitude, thanking the show, Dovolani, and her fans. “This has been the best wonderful time…it’s just been a trip, a big trip, a triple trip! Thank you,” she said.

The evening was an emotional one, with each star dancing to a song that reflected the most memorable year in his or her life.

For the first time ever, viewers were able to instantly score the performances. A combined overall viewer score for each performance was counted along with the scores of judges Julianne Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.

The evening also saw Alfonso Ribeiro earn a perfect score after he reprised “the Carlton dance,” the signature move of his character on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, in his jazz routine.

Nine celebrities and their partners will return to compete next week.

Here’s a rundown of Monday’s routines:

Janel Parrish: The actress’ rumba recalled the year 2002, when she moved from Hawaii to Los Angeles to pursue her acting dream with the encouragement of her first vocal coach, who died of breast cancer. Head judge Len Goodman was absent, but Parrish’s routine impressed judges Bruno Tonioli, Julianne Hough and Carrie Ann Inaba. “You look like an exotic angel and you took me to the Garden of Eden,” Tonioli said. Inaba said the performance was “absolutely breathtaking.” Hough commended Parrish’s technique and said she performs “from the heart.” Parrish earned three 9s from the judges and another 9 from the viewing audience for a total of 36 out of a possible 40 points.

Jonathan Bennett: The actor’s samba honored his parents, who died at separate times within the past year. The judges found the performance lacking. Tonioli said the samba spirit was present but said Bennett failed to nail the characteristic easy samba bounce, adding: “You were off timing and flat-footed.” Inaba believed the performance was “very one dimensional,” while Hough found it a bit erratic. Bennett earned three 6s from the judges and another 6 from the audience for a total of 24 points.

Betsey Johnson: Judges were tickled by the fashion designer’s jive in honor of her daughter, Lulu. “That was phenomenal…you nailed every step of that dance,” Inaba told Johnson. Hough commended the designer for giving her best every single week, and Tonioli was also full of praise for her effort. “I have to say, keeping up with the jive is hard for anyone and you did it very, very well up until the point where you went wrong,” he said. Johnson earned two 7s and an 8 from judges and a 7 from the audience for a total of 29 points.

Bethany Mota: The YouTube star’s rumba to “Try,” sung live by singer Colbie Caillat, recalled 2009, when she started posting videos on YouTube after being bullied. The emotion in Mota’s performance touched the judges, but they saw flaws. Hough was emotional as she told Mota that she loved her message, but she had something different to say to her brother, Mota’s pro partner, Derek Hough. “Sorry Derek, I’m just going to beat you up now. There wasn’t enough rumba content for me,” she said. Tonioli commended Mota for expressing her emotions, but said the hip action required of a rumba “wasn’t quite right” in Mota’s performance. Inaba said Mota stumbled a little in the beginning, but danced it beautifully. Mota earned three 8s from the judges and a 9 from the audience, for a total of 33 points.

Michael Waltrip: The NASCAR driver’s quickstep recalled 2001, when he won the Daytona 500 and then learned his friend, fellow racer Dale Earnhardt Sr., had died in the same race. Inaba appeared pained, saying Waltrip started out strongly but lost it as the routine progressed. Tonioli said he could “see the dancer within screaming to get out, and you’re trying so hard and I appreciate that…,” but added that Waltrip went wrong “so many times.” Hough agreed, saying there were moments that were great and moments that weren’t. Waltrip earned three 6s from judge and a 7 from the audience, for a total of 25 points.

Lea Thompson: The actress brought intense emotion to her tribute to her father, a contemporary routine which had her openly sobbing at the end. It drew high praise from the judges. “Exceptional quality of movement, my darling. You are an exquisite performer,” Tonioli told her. Added Hough: “To me, it was flawless, perfection.” And Inaba agreed: “Every once in a while on this show, there are these moments, they just go into my heart. I will remember that dance forever because you danced like an angel,” she said. Thompson earned three 10s from judges and a 9 from the audience for a total of 39 points.

Antonio Sabato Jr.: The actor’s shirtless samba honored his mother for her constant support of his career, but the judges said he needed to do more with his movements. Hough said he needed to make more effort to “fill the space” around him. Even though Tonioli thought the performance was “great,” he, too, encouraged Sabato to “reach the full extent in the movements you make.” An enthusiastic Inaba praised the routine’s opening, but added: “We need you to open your chest. For a man with such a beautiful body you close yourself off a lot…You’re a big, hot guy. Work it!” Sabato earned three 7s from the judges and an 8 eight from the audience, for a total of 29 points.

Tommy Chong: His jive recalled the year 2003, when he went to jail on a drug charge. His costume even featured a black and white striped shirt, and he began and ended the performance behind prop bars. Tonioli pointed out that Chong missed a few steps, but told him there was “no jail in the world” that could bind his free spirit. Inaba also acknowledged there were “a lot of mistakes,” but said she enjoyed watching Chong because his movements were “totally natural and totally easy on the eyes.” Hough added: “There’s no denying that was very enjoyable to watch but that was not your best dance – but I still love it,” she said. Chong earned three 7s from the judges and a 7 from the audience, for a total of 28 points.

Sadie Robertson: Her samba was dedicated to her famous, controversial family – and her performance included a cameo from the camouflaged clad, duck call-blowing men of Duck Dynasty. The routine thrilled the audience and the judges. “That was fantastic! That was like ducks gone wild!” Inaba said, proclaiming the routine the “best samba of the night.” Tonioli compared her to Natalie Portman’s character in the hit movie, Black Swan, saying: “Way to go, baby! Way to go!” Hough called the performance “the perfect combination of content and concept.” Robertson earned two 9s and a 10 from the judges, and a 9 from the audience, for a total of 37 points.

Alfonso Ribeiro: The actor had the ballroom audience cheering wildly when he reprised “the Carlton dance,” the signature move of his character on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, in his jazz routine. Tonioli called Ribeiro’s routine “Broadway-standard jazz,” and Hough said the actor’s performance would have people remembering him, and not the character he played on The Fresh Prince. Added Inaba: “All I can say is, finally!” After the judges’ critique, co-host Erin Andrews coaxed Ribeiro to give her a lesson in the Carlton dance, and when the show ended, the judges, the other cast members and some in the audience were performing it. Ribeiro earned three 10s from the judges and another 10 from the audience, for a perfect score of 40. It was the only perfect score of the night.

More ABC news videos | ABC Entertainment News

The Scores:

Alfonso Ribeiro and Witney Carson: 40
Lea Thompson and Artem Chigvintsev: 39
Sadie Robertson and Mark Ballas: 37
Janel Parrish and Valentin Chmerkovskiy: 36
Bethany Mota and Derek Hough: 33
Betsey Johnson and Tony Dovolani: 29
Antonio Sabato Jr. and Cheryl Burke: 29
Tommy Chong and Peta Murgatroyd: 28
Michael Waltrip and Emma Slater: 25
Jonathan Bennett and Allison Holker: 24

The competition continues next Monday night on ABC.

Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright 2014 ABC News Radio