Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 5 celebrated the important people in the contestants’ lives. Instead of the usual “Most Memorable Year,” this season DWTS gave us “Dedication Night.” The song selection for this evening was varied, running from Taylor Swift to The White Stripes to Céline Dion.
Last time, the ballroom rocked out during Hair Metal Night. Some of us are probably still recovering from rock legend and KISS member Gene Simmon’s guest judging performance. It was … a lot. There was also a double elimination, which sent Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart home, along with Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater.
And there was a shake-up at the top of the leaderboard for the first time since Season 33 started. Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson’s Tango landed them in the top spot, with Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong in second place with their Jive. Bachelorette star Jenn Tran and her partner, Sasha Farber, landed in third place on the leaderboard. Look at Bachelor Nation taking over two of the three top spots!
What happened in Dancing with the Stars, Season 33, Episode 5?
During this emotional night in the ballroom, the competitors performed Contemporary, Argentine Tango, Rumba, Salsa, Viennese Waltz, and Foxtrot routines. One of the highlights was the return of Mark Ballas, who is a three-time Mirrorball champ, as a guest judge. What a refreshing change at the judges’ table this week! And I am thrilled because Mark is one of my all-time favorite pros.
Of course, Mark knows all about dance, so he is looking for storytelling from the competitors. He is also looking for the celebrities to showcase fundamentals such as leg action, footwork, hip action, and their connection to their partner. Plus, the judges went to the couples’ rehearsals to give some advice since this was the mid-way point of the competition.
Who was eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 5?
Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko were eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 5!
Brooks dedicated her dance to her three younger sisters. So, she decided to have them perform with her at the beginning of her Salsa. At one point, all the sisters turned their backs to the audience to shake their booties. It seemed odd to have her sisters be part of the routine.
In the package, Brooks’ three sisters said that they would only approve of Gleb as a boyfriend if Brooks won. Something tells me that their connection is more than a showmance.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba wanted Brooks to complete her movements. During her feedback, Carrie Ann praised Brooks for doing that. Mark stated, “So fun. You have all the elements to be a really, really great dancer.”
Then Bruno weighed in. “I’m telling you that was mouth-watering spicy. That was a very good performance,” he stated. The couple scored 32 out of 40 from the judges, landing in a five-way tie for fourth place.
Both Brooks and Gleb seemed stunned by their elimination. “It’s been amazing, and we have so much fun,” Brooks said. I think that her choice to include her sisters in her routine was risky. And in this case, it didn’t pay off.
Who got the top score of the night in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 5?
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson, and Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson got the highest score in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 5.
Both couples topped the leaderboard with a score of 36 out of 40. Danny and his partner, Witney, performed a Contemporary routine to the song Unsteady (Erich Lee Gravity Remix) by X Ambassadors. Danny dedicated the performance to his college football coach, Coach Leach, who had passed away.
When Carrie Ann popped in, she advised Danny to channel his grief. So, he did, turning in an emotional and beautiful performance. “That was a breakthrough. That was so powerful,” Carrie Ann said. “I think Coach Leach would be so proud of you.”
Mark said, “I can tell you do your homework. I can tell how committed you are, how courageous you are. Great job, man!”
Meanwhile, Joey and Jenna performed a Viennese Waltz to the Teddy Swims song, Lose Control. Joey dedicated his dance to Kelsey Anderson, his supportive fiancée.
When Bruno dropped by rehearsal, he advised Joey to travel across the floor. During the judges’ feedback, Bruno told Joey, “You have exceeded my expectations. I asked for a prince, you gave me a king. The king of ballroom.”
After Carrie Ann pointed out some “glitchiness” in the small steps, Derek chimed in. “Carrie Ann, what are you talking about? It was so smooth. The pivots were so effortless. My man, I really enjoy watching you so much,” he said. These were my two favorite routines of the night.
What were the judge’s scores in DWTS Season 33, Episode 5?
- Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Contemporary) – 36 points
- Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Viennese Waltz) – 36 points
- Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold – Argentine Tango – 33 points
- Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko (Salsa) – 32 points
- Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Contemporary) – 32 points
- Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Rumba) – 32 points
- Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Foxtrot) – 32 points
- Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy (Rumba) – 32 points
- Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach – (Rumba) – 29 points
Finally, Stephen was able to embody a character this week during his Argentine Tango, and it certainly helped his score. He even started his routine on a pommel horse.
Unfortunately, the judges spotted a wobble in Chandler and Brandon’s Contemporary, and they were out of synch for the side-to-side section. Otherwise, Chandler would have scored higher.
After Phaedra and Val’s performance, Derek dramatically snapped his 5-paddle in half. “Phaedra, no 5 for you,” he said as he flicked the pieces onto the ballroom floor. He was making fun of Gene Simmon’s low score for Phaedra during Hair Metal Night. I loved seeing the judges roar with laughter.
Then Val put in his two cents by picking up a piece of the paddle and kicking it with his foot. I don’t think we will be seeing Gene on the show again. Amen!
And the comeback kid this week was Ilona. She dedicated her dance to the U.S. women’s national rugby sevens team. Ilona’s Rumba was feminine and vulnerable.
“That was graceful. That was soft. That was beautiful,” Mark commented, “And that shows it doesn’t matter how hard you fall, it’s how you get back up, right?”
Final thoughts on Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 5
Well, the moment that moved me to tears last night was when Derek and his wife, Hayley Erbert Hough, danced together. Their routine, set to Benson Boone’s song, Beautiful Things (Acoustic), was powerful, vulnerable, and simply gorgeous.
As you may recall, Hayley suffered a medical emergency last December during the last leg of her tour with Derek. She had a severe brain bleed and needed immediate surgery.
“He [the doctor] said that she might not make it and that even if she does make it, she won’t be the same person,” Derek recalled. But with her strength and determination, Hayley made a complete recovery. “She is my beautiful miracle,” Derek said.
“For me, this dance is just a moment for us to be together again onstage doing what we love. The fact that we’re able to dance together again is nothing short of a miracle,” Derek stated. “I’m so thankful.” Then Hayley weighed in. “I’ll be forever grateful to everybody that supported me through this,” she said. “It’s why I’m here today. He was my rock throughout it all.” Hayley’s triumphant return to the ballroom was an unforgettable moment in DWTS history.
Next up is Disney Week, along with the return of team dances.
Dancing with the Stars Season 33 airs on Tuesdays at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.
TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 33, EPISODE 5? WERE YOU SURPRISED THAT BROOKS AND GLEB’S ELIMINATION? WHAT DID YOU THINK OF HAYLEY AND DEREK’S DANCE?
