Welcome back, for our Dancing with the Stars Episode 5 recap! It’s hard to believe we’re already on Week 5. This week, the contestants will reflect on their Most Memorable Year. There is also a tribute to former head judge Len Goodman. The ballroom just isn’t the same without him. Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro promised an amazing performance.
Last week, NFL player Adrian Peterson and Britt Stewart were sent home. So, who will exit the ballroom this week?
Let’s get into the recap!
Mira Sorvino and Gleb Savchenko
Contemporary to Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper.
Actress Mira Sorvino’s most memorable year was 2004 when she welcomed her daughter, Mattea. Mira and Gleb Savchenko danced a contemporary routine featuring her daughter, who is also a dancer.
It was joyful and graceful. Only Mira’s performance will be judged. I am surprised that they allowed a trio dance. The judges all commented on how joyful Mira seemed.
Mira earned 22 out of 30 points.
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
Viennese Waltz to Happier Than Ever by Billie Eilish.
Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix picked 2023 as her most memorable year. In March, she discovered that her ex-boyfriend was cheating on her with her friend. Her anxiety and her depression were sky-high after her life fell apart.
But she discovered that she could get through tough times and thrive. Her waltz with Pasha Pashkov was strong yet graceful.
Judge Bruno Tonioli told Ariana, “Use any disadvantage or any adversity to make you stronger. In the end, you’ll win. That’s all.”
Judge Derek Hough saw a bit of a stumble. Ariana became emotional because her grandmother passed away. She would have loved to watch Ariana follow her ballroom dreams. And Pump Rules alum Kristen Doute was in the house again!
Ariana scored 24 out of 30 points.
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Contemporary to Lose You to Love Me by Selena Gomez.
The Bachelorette star Charity Lawson selected 2022 as her most memorable. She left behind a toxic relationship and a boyfriend who cheated on her. Now she is happily engaged to Dotun Olubeko.
Her contemporary routine with Artem Chigvintsev featured a set of metal bars, like a jungle gym. It was emotional and stunning. She fell off the top backward into Artem’s arms. Wow!
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba told Charity that they just performed the most memorable routine of Season 32. Derek told her that she “took the breath away in this room.”
Charity earned 28 out of 30 points. The first 10’s of the season!
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Viennese Waltz to Perfect by Ed Sheeran.
2003 was actress Alyson Hannigan’s most memorable year. That is the year that she married her husband, Alexis Denisof. They met on the set of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I love Buffy.
She danced a Viennese Waltz with Sasha Farber. Alyson dedicated the dance to her husband. It is obvious how much they still adore each other.
They incorporated an umbrella into the routine. Props are always tricky, but they pulled it off.
Derek complimented her frame and neck. Bruno called her elegant. Carrie Ann told Alyson that everyone loves her for how hard she works.
Alyson scored 21 out of 30 points.
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold
Contemporary to Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammer.
Too Hot to Handle star Harry Jowsey chose 2020 as his most memorable year. That is the year that he became famous and started partying hard. After his friends intervened, Harry went for spiritual healing, and his life improved.
Harry and Rylee Arnold’s contemporary dance was mostly comprised of lifts. Carrie Ann felt that when Harry dances without touching Rylee, he dances small. Derek felt that he needed to work on his musicality and add some finesse.
Harry earned 18 out of 30 points.
Tribute to Len Goodman
Married pros Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson choreographed a tribute set to one of Len’s favorite songs, Henry Mancini’s Moon River. The current DWTS pros danced along with Derek and Julianne.
Returning pros Edyta Sliwinska, Anna Trebunskaya, Karina Smirnoff, Kym Johnson Herjavec, Louis van Amstel, Mark Ballas, Tony Dovolani, and Maks Chmerkovskiy returned to the ballroom to help honor Len.
The pros all shared their memories of Len. And in Derek’s words, “For Len, it will always be a 10.”
The dance started with a top hat on the floor in the ballroom. Derek picked it up and danced with Julianne. The performance was simple, magical, and emotional.
At the end of the routine, the ladies curtsied, and the gentlemen bowed. Then they looked at Len’s empty seat. Len said, in a voiceover from his retirement speech, “All good things must come to an end.”
A crying Bruno and Carrie Ann embraced. The dancers were also emotional. A timeless and classic tribute to a ballroom original.
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Quickstep to On the Road Again by Willie Nelson.
Singer Jason Mraz chose 1999 as his most memorable year. He moved from Virginia to California to pursue his musical dreams.
Jason and Daniella Karagach’s quickstep was fun and cute. I truly love Jason’s facial expressions.
Carrie Ann called it “beautiful.” She also said, “Technically you are superior in this competition.” But she noted there was “a wobble.” Derek complimented Jason’s frame. Bruno called it “light, bright, and effortless.”
Jason received 27 out of 30 points.
Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong
Contemporary to I’ll Stand By You by Pretenders.
Social media star Lele Pons picked 2020 as her most memorable year. She released a docuseries about her anxiety, OCD, and mild Tourette’s syndrome. She married her husband, Guaynaa, in 2023. Her husband even came in from Miami for rehearsals. She credited him for always having her back.
She danced contemporary with partner Brandon Armstrong. It was emotional and moving. Bruno loved this honest performance. Carrie Ann called it her best dance so far.
Lele scored 24 out of 30 points.
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Viennese Waltz to Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez.
2021 was actress Xochitl Gomez’s most memorable year. She was the first Latina superhero in a movie. But because of her role, she had to miss her quinceanera.
She danced a sweet Viennese Waltz with Val. Bruno said, “I think we’ve got ballroom royalty here.” Carrie Ann mentioned a “tiny wobble.” Derek didn’t see a wobble.
Xochitl received 28 out of 30. Her first 10 from Derek!
Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater
Contemporary to Rise Up by Andra Day.
Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Mauricio Umansky said that 1996 was his most memorable year. He married Kyle Richards, and they shared a two-bedroom condo with their daughters, Farrah and Alexia. Then he was fired right before Christmas. So, she encouraged him to pursue real estate.
Mauricio and Emma Slater danced a contemporary routine. He dedicated the dance to his wife.
The ending featured some bizarre straddling action that went on far too long. So awkward!
Carrie Ann told Mauricio the dance was “beautiful.” Derek told him he is “becoming a freaking dancer.” Bruno said it was his best dance so far this season.
Mauricio scored 24 out of 30 points.
Side note: Kyle was missing from the ballroom amid rumors of Emma and Mauricio’s dinner date and handholding. This is the fourth week that she wasn’t in the ballroom. Shocker! But if Mauricio was trying to humiliate his wife, he scored a 10. And his daughters looked pretty unhappy, too.
Barry Williams and Peta Murgatroyd
Paso Doble to Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf.
1968 was actor Barry Williams’ most memorable year. It was the year before The Brady Bunch premiered.
Barry and partner Peta Murgatroyd’s Paso Doble was strong and rocking! I loved it!
Derek told Barry that “Len would have loved that dance. And I’ll tell you why. There was no riff-raff. No messing about.” High praise indeed.
Bruno pointed out that there were no mistakes. Carrie Ann encouraged everyone to get up and strike a matador’s pose to support Barry.
Barry earned 24 out of 30 points.
Dancing with the Stars Episode 5 leaderboard
Charity and Artem and Xochitl and Val were tied at the top of the leaderboard with 28 points. Jason and Daniella were in third place with 27 points. And Harry and Rylee were at the bottom with 18 points.
The final three
While not necessarily the bottom three, two of these couples are safe:
- Mira and Gleb
- Harry and Rylee
- Alyson and Sasha
Going home on Dancing with the Stars Episode 5
Mira and Gleb were sent home.
Next week, prepare for a Halloween-themed Monster Night episode.
Dancing with the Stars continues on Tuesdays on ABC and Disney+.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF DANCING WITH THE STARS EPISODE 5? DID THE CORRECT COUPLE GO HOME? WHICH DANCE WAS YOUR FAVORITE? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF THE TRIBUTE TO LEN GOODMAN?
