‘Dancing with the Stars’: Katherine Jenkins, William Levy Lead the Way on Latin Night
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ABC (LOS ANGELES) — For the fourth time this season, Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins on Monday night topped the Dancing with the Stars leader board. Jenkins and telenovela actor William Levy each earned a total score of 29 out of a possible 30 on the ABC’s competition’s Latin night.
Gavin DeGraw was the lowest-ranking celebrity, with a total score of 19 out of 30.
Here’s a rundown of the individual performances, in chronological order:
— A bare-chested Jaleel White, wearing a brown outfit with gold stripes on its side, and his partner, Kym Johnson, performed a samba set to the Gloria Estefan hit “Rhythm Is Gonna Get You.”
Head judge Len Goodman said White had “rhythm in abundance,” and that the routine was a great way to kick off the show. Bruno Tonioli agreed, saying White’s hip action was unstoppable. Total score: 24 out of a possible 30.
— Melissa Gilbert didn’t play it too safe despite suffering a mild concussion last week. Her partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, twirled her several times and spun her on the floor during their salsa.
Carrie Ann Inaba noted that Gilbert has gained a lot of confidence, but she lacked control at times. Goodman said he saw rhythm that at times was great and at other times was untidy and rough. Total score: 21/30.
— Maria Menounos donned a yellow showgirl-type headpiece for the start of her salsa with Derek Hough. During the routine, she got frisky with audience member Dr. Drew Pinsky and kissed a shirtless Hough in the middle of the dance floor, as the house band played Ricky Martin’s “The Cup of Life.”
Inaba said the kiss was tantamount to selling out because it ruined the “illusion” of romance. Tonioli asked Menounos and Hough if he could get them a room, then joked, “Can I join in?” Menounos responded by running over to him and giving him a smooch. Total score: 27/30.
— Katherine Jenkins and her partner, Mark Ballas, slowed things down with an Argentine tango. The theme of the dance, in part, was that Ballas had been drinking — he even stumbled around the dance floor at the end.
Goodman said much like a rose, the story was beautiful but was also sharp and menacing. Inaba said the routine was “poetry in motion.” Total score: 29/30.
— Gavin DeGraw began his samba by pretending to row a boat across the dance floor, where he met partner Karina Smirnoff, who was sitting on a hammock located on the stage, near the band.
Tonioli complimented DeGraw for letting loose. Goodman described the dance as more of a “‘shamba’ than a samba.” Total score: 19/30.
— Telenovela actor William Levy received a loud and prolonged ovation from the crowd following his Argentine tango with Cheryl Burke. Not bad for a guy who’d said before the show that he suffered an ankle injury during rehearsals. Levy revealed after his dance that he was diagnosed with a torn ligament.
Inaba said the performance was “ridiculously amazing,” while Tonioli raved about its “pulsating passion.” Total score: 29/30.
— After earning the lowest total score last week, Gladys Knight rebounded with what Goodman called a simple but effective samba with Tristan MacManus. Tonioli told the legendary singer that she demonstrated good stage presence. Total score: 22/30.
— Disney actor Roshon Fegan and Chelsie Hightower did the salsa amid a jungle-type setting, accompanied to the sounds of the song “Bumpy Ride” by Swedish-Congolese R&B artist Mohombi. Hightower looked the part, dressing as a tropical bird.
Tonioli said Fegan brought exuberance to the dance. Inaba liked the way that he demonstrated his personality during the routine. Total score: 26/30.
— Last week’s top scorer, Donald Driver, and Peta Murgatroyd pretended to play some sort of card game before they broke out into the Argentine tango. It was a challenging routine, with Driver picking up his partner on multiple occasions for difficult lifts.
Inaba said Driver showed great control as he transitioned from a move to a lift. Goodman wasn’t quite as complimentary, saying he enjoyed the lifts but thought the rest of the dance was lacking. Total score: 27/30.
Carlos Santana appeared throughout the program, and performed his hits “Evil Ways” and “Maria Maria.”
On Tuesday night’s results show, which begins at 9:00 p.m. Eastern time, the bottom two will face off in a “dance duel,” the winner of which will be determined by the judges. The loser goes home. Train and Selena Gomez will be the musical guests.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio