“Dancing with the Stars” Recap: Kellie Pickler Takes the Lead on Prom Night
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ABC(LOS ANGELES) — Country music singer Kellie Pickler and partner Derek Hough took the lead on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars Monday night, earning 25 out of a possible 30 points from the judges for their jive. It was prom night on the ballroom reality show.
Country music legend Wynonna Judd and partner Tony Dovolani received the lowest score of the night — 15 points for their samba.
Viewers have until Tuesday morning to tweet their choice for the celebrities they believe were the king and queen of the DWTS “prom.” The winners will each earn two bonus points going into Tuesday’s results show and the first elimination of the season.
The couple with the lowest combined tally of viewer votes and judges’ scores will leave the competition.
Here’s a rundown of Monday’s routines:
Aly Raisman: The Olympic gymnast’s elegant Viennese waltz with partner Mark Ballas won approval from the judges. Judge Len Goodman drew boos from the ballroom audience when he told Raisman he wasn’t impressed with her dance, but the boos quickly turned to laughter and applause when he announced, “April fools.” Bruno Tonioli told Raisman the audience was “swept away” by the romance of her dance and her expressive movements. While Carrie Ann Inaba agreed that Aly’s quality of movement was strong and refined. Total score: 23 out of a possible 30 points.
Andy Dick: The comedian channeled a nerd who comes across a beautiful girl -– partner Sharna Burgess — in a cha cha cha performance the judges found entertaining. Tonioli said the timing was a bit off and the placement a bit odd, but the “entertainment value” was “fully on.” Goodman repeated his evaluation that he didn’t think Dick was a good dancer, but told the comic, “Andy, what you do is, you make me feel good. I feel better after watching you than I did before you danced…Well done.” Total score: 18/30.
Ingo Rademacher: The judges approved of the power in the soap opera star’s paso doble with partner Kym Johnson, but urged him to work harder on refining his movements. Inaba said she believed Rademacher had a lot of untapped potential and she counseled him to work on his core so his posture could be better. Goodman said he liked the feel and attitude of the dance, while Tonioli said he could tell that Rademacher had worked hard on his performance. Total score: 21/30.
Lisa Vanderpump: The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star turned in a Viennese waltz that Goodman called “light and breezy, free and easy.” Tonioli also praised Vanderpump, although he pointed out that she missed a few passes during the routine and needed to be more consistent. Inaba said she liked watching Vanderpump and her partner Gleb Savchenko. “As a unit, you’re just beautiful to look at,” Inaba said, adding that she thought Vanderpump did a nice job. Total score: 21/30.
Kellie Pickler: The country music singer’s jive, set to the title track of the movie Footloose, pleased the crowd and the judges. “You were flying about like a wasp at a picnic…You are officially the queen of the prom.” Goodman declared. Inaba called Picker’s performance with partner Derek Hough “ridiculously amazing.” Tonioli said the performance was crisp, tight and precise. Total score: 25/30.
Victor Ortiz: The champion boxer’s contemporary routine with pro partner Lindsey Arnold earned a standing ovation from Tonioli, who was effusive in his praise. “Victor, unbelievable. You’re a dancer, man,” Tonioli said, adding that Ortiz’s performance was sentimental, gentle and caring, with a “wonderful ease of movement, total involvement…” Goodman said after Ortiz’s previous poor performance, he was expecting the worst, but he was pleasantly surprised by Monday’s routine. Goodman said the lifts were good but Ortiz needed to work on his movement more. Total score: 23/30.
DL Hughley: The judges found the comedian’s salsa — set to James Brown’s “Sex Machine” — sorely lacking, and two of them didn’t mince words. “Well DL, if you’re a sex machine, I’m America’s next top model,” Goodman remarked. “I admire your spirit…this wasn’t a salsa. There was no rhythm, there was not a lot of hip action going on, not enough passes. It was as untidy as a teenager’s bedroom.” Goodman said. Tonioli wasn’t much kinder: “I appreciate the effort but, I mean, salsa is all about very smooth, slinky and oily hip action. What you looked like was almost a case of hip replacement.” Inaba said she appreciated that Hughley was trying and said that counted for a lot. Total score: 16/30.
Jacoby Jones: The NFL player’s sultry rumba with partner Karina Smirnoff brought cheers from the ballroom audience and approval from the judges. Tonioli told Jones he was “smoldering like a volcano of passion,” while Goodman said Jones displayed refinement and quality of movement, adding, “You did a good job there, Jacoby.” Inaba said she was impressed. “You have incredible artistry…that was just hot, sensual and artistic.” Total score: 24/30.
Wynonna Judd: The country music legend’s rock-infused samba fell flat with judges. Inaba said the dance didn’t demonstrate improvement for Judd, while Tonioli said it “was a bit sedated for a performance.” Goodman pointed out that Judd sometimes went the wrong way and said the performance lacked hip action. “Well, you’re like Mount Rushmore, you look magnificent but you don’t move,” Goodman remarked. Total score: 15/30.
Sean Lowe: The judges thought The Bachelor star’s cha cha cha with partner Peta Murgatroyd was full of fun, even though they acknowledged that his footwork needed improvement. Goodman said Lowe came onto the dance floor “full of energy, full of attack.” Tonioli said Lowe definitely entertained, and Inaba agreed that Lowe performed with “incredible gusto.” Total score: 21/30.
Zendaya: The Disney Channel star performed a Venice-themed Viennese waltz that she dedicated to her grandmother. Inaba said Zendaya had an incredible lyrical quality to all of her movements. “The emotional connection to every single move is beyond your years. You’re just fascinating to watch,” Inaba added. Tonioli said the routine was “as enchanting and charming as Venice in the moonlight.” Total score: 24/30.
The Scores:
Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough: 25
Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff: 24
Zendaya and Val Chmerkovskiy: 24
Aly Raisman and Mark Ballas: 23
Victor Ortiz and Lindsey Arnold: 23
Ingo Rademacher and Kym Johnson: 21
Lisa Vanderpump and Gleb Savchenko: 21
Sean Lowe and Peta Murgatroyd: 21
Andy Dick and Sharna Burgess: 18
D.L. Hughley and Cheryl Burke: 16
Wynonna Judd and Tony Dovolani: 15
One couple will be eliminated on Tuesday’s Dancing with the Stars results show, beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern time on ABC. Demi Lovato and Huey Lewis and the News are scheduled to perform.
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