Dancing With the Stars Season 33, Episode 2 Recap: Who Turns in an Award-Winning Performance?

Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 2
Photo Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney

Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 2 celebrated award-winning movies. The films featured ranged from Superman, to Dirty Dancing, to The Godfather. All the couples danced to songs from these iconic films. What a fun theme! And the opening number, performed by the dance troupe, was choreographed by Britt Stewart and Alan Bersten. I loved it!

It was a fantastic night of dancing with a wide variety of styles in the mix. While many couples shined, a few lost their luster in the ballroom. Some judges (I’m looking at you, Carrie Ann Inaba!) struggled with how to score contestants, which seemed … strange.

Since no one was sent home last week, the celebrities’ scores tonight were combined with last week’s scores. And there is a double elimination, which just ramps up everyone’s anxiety. I find it more dramatic if there is a double elimination later in the season when fans are more invested in rooting for their favorites.

Who was eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 2?

Pasha Pashkov and Tori Spelling for Dancing with the Stars Season 33
Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles/Disney

Anna Delvey and Ezra Sosa were eliminated, along with Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov, in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 2.

Anna and Ezra performed a Quickstep to KT Tunstall’s hit Suddenly I See, from The Devil Wears Prada. Viewers learned that last week, Anna was crying in the bathroom over all the online hate that she received. This week, Anna seemed stiff at the beginning of the dance but then relaxed into her performance.

Judge Bruno Tonioli told her, “Let me say that was a proper, classic, elegant dance. We love you for what you are, my love.” And Judge Carrie Ann added, “You have beautiful lines. You have the potential to go far if you just embrace it more.” The duo received 17 out of 30.

Tori and Pasha performed their Rumba to This Is Me by Keala Settle & The Greatest Showman ensemble. Once again, Tori seemed nervous. “Tonight I saw you really take a risk and you really opened your heart. We are going to refine as we go along. But Tori, welcome to the competition!” Carrie Ann said. Judge Derek Hough commented, “I just love seeing you enjoy the moment so much.” In the end, Tori and Pasha scored 19 out of 30.

Who got the top score of the night in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 2?

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong got the top score of the night in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 2.

Once again, Chandler and Brandon received the top score. This time, the duo danced a sensuous Rumba to Billie Eilish’s What Was I Made For? from Barbie. Chandler’s presence, musicality, and charisma are undeniable.

Bruno stated, “Listen, it’s like, you know, you come out here, it’s one of the hardest dances to do, and you just make it look easy. Brilliant!”

And then Carrie Ann weighed in. “You created some moments there that I think touched us all. Like when dance can go inside and like pull on … your heartstrings like that, it’s really powerful,” Carrie Ann stated. “You are so young, and you tapping into that so early in the season makes me think you might do quite well.” She also advised Chandler to focus on her partner.

Finally, Derek said, “Chandler, I mean, you were made for dancing. I honestly had more notes for Brandon than you.” Brandon and Chandler scored 24 out of 30. I think we have a front-runner here!

What were the judge’s scores in DWTS Season 33, Episode 2?

These are the combined scores from last week and this week.

  • Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Rumba) – 47 points
  • Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Foxtrot) – 44 points
  • Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Rumba) – 43 points
  • Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Paso Doble) – 43 points
  • Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Jive) – 41 points
  • Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy (Foxtrot) – 40 points
  • Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Salsa) – 39 points
  • Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko (Quickstep) – 38 points
  • Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Tango) – 38 points
  • Tori Spelling and Pasha Pashkov (Rumba) – 36 points
  • Anna Delvey and Ezra Sosa (Quickstep) – 35 points
  • Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater (Paso Doble) – 31 points
  • Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart (Waltz) – 30 points

I thought that Reginald giving a nod to the film Die Hard and dancing for his buddy Bruce Willis was sweet. And in his package, he stated, “If you think I’m going home on double elimination, “Yippee Ki Yay, motherf*ckers!” Hilarious! Plus, I also loved Jenna and Joey’s sexy Rumba. He is certainly finding his sexy side.

And I give props to Jenn and Sasha. Their music wasn’t audible onstage or in the ballroom, so they only heard the click track at the start of their dance. But Jenn handled it well, and I think they deserved a higher score.

Then NFL legend Danny and Witney Jived out of The Danger Zone in their Top Gun-themed performance. Danny seemed more relaxed this week. I think he has a great shot at The Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy.

Once again, I loved Ilona and Alan’s routine. Their spicy Salsa, set to (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing, was amazing. Alan flipped Ilona, and then Ilona flipped Alan! And Alan caught Ilona to recreate the iconic lift from the movie. Ilona was sexy, funny, and confident. I think they deserved more than 21 points.

Final thoughts on Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 2

Photo Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney

This season of DWTS is a delight so far. So many of the contestants bring their unique talents to the ballroom. While Chandler is ahead of the pack, I truly feel that Stephen, Joey, Danny, and Dwight will be challenging her for the top spot. And I’m not counting out Phaedra and Ilona.  

I’m not surprised that Anna was sent home. In the end, she couldn’t escape her criminal past. When hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro asked what she was taking away from her DWTS experience, she icily replied, “Nothing.” WOW.

I was surprised that Tori and Pasha went home this week. I fully expected it to be either Reginald or Eric, since they were at the bottom of the leaderboard.

On a side note, the chemistry between Gleb and Brooks is palpable. I’m not sure if we are witnessing a made-up showmance or a budding relationship situation. I’ve never seen two people so happy to dance in hold before.

Next week, DWTS is taking a break but will return with two episodes the following week.

Dancing with the Stars Season 33 will return with two episodes on Monday, October 7, and Tuesday, October 8 at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.

TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 33, EPISODE 2? WHICH ROUTINE WAS YOUR FAVORITE? WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT ANNA AND TORI WENT HOME?

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