We are at the quarter-finals of Dancing with the Stars and only six contestants remain. For the first round, the contestants are under America's control where America got to pick costumes, styles, and music for the contestants. The show began by announcing that Tommy & Peta have made it to the semi-finals. That meant the lowest scoring couple survived.
Round One: America's Choice
Alfonso & Witney
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" by Robbie Williams
America started suggesting some crazy ideas, but the two settled on a choice of top hat and tails for Alfonso. Alfonso thought it would be better if they went to the people and settled on dance steps for their routine. The music began and the two were immediately in hold. I liked the level of elegance and how quickly the two transitioned from side-by-side movements and hold. Witney's choreography was perfect for the song and for the elegant style that the couple was looking for.
Len thought that was the way of starting the routine, even with minor issues. Julianne thought Alfonso was tall in his movements. Bruno thought Alfonso channeled the right era. Carrie Ann thought the routine was excellent, but she thought there needed to be a touch more of pizzazz.
Score: 37 (9,9,9,10)
Tommy & Peta
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Song: "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne
Tommy explained that his leg was hurting so he got an MRI scan but he continued to dance. There were suggestions like unicorns and puppies. The couple began and Peta kept Tommy in one position until the chorus of the song. When they got to that, it seemed like Tommy was moving decently enough where he wasn't showing pain. He did forget a little bit of movements when he wasn't in hold, but he was enjoying his time on the dance floor.
Julianne loved that it was a proper Viennese Waltz, everything was great until the minor slip-up. Bruno knows he's watchable, but there were a few creaky moments. Carrie Ann appreciated how less is more in his performance. Len appreciated how he's doing a great job even at his age.
Score: 29 (7,8,7,7)
Lea & Artem
Dance: Samba
Song: "Animals" by Maroon 5
Lea was disappointed with last week. This week Artem asked America if they should be an animal and people suggested several cats. Lea knew her strength was in her turns, but Artem thought Lea kept turning too many times in each dance. Lea doubted Artem's suggestions, but she just wanted the best for both of them. The two began with Lea channeling her inner tigress. I thought that Lea's turns in her sequence were good. I thought the two had stronger chemistry then they've had for weeks and Lea had the sass to match the routine.
Bruno loved the level of confidence. Carrie Ann agreed, she looked amazing. Len called Lea her hero. Julianne thought she was still fierce.
Score: 34 (8,9,8,9)
Bethany & Derek
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Song: "Say You Love Me" by Jessie Ware
The couple got suggestions from America to create a story line about a couple experiencing relationship issues. Bethany could relate with the feeling of heartbreak and hoped America could match. As the couple danced, Bethany exuded this wonderful grace in her routine. Her arms looked beautiful as she danced and unlike last week where she was grounded in her salsa, she glided across the dance floor like she was on a cloud.
Carrie Ann was impressed by how vulnerable Bethany was in the routine. Len wasn't fully transported, but he thought the routine was fabulous. Julianne believed that strength comes from vulnerability and she's grown a connection with America and the judges. Bruno loved the fluidity and honesty.
Score: 36 (9,9,9,9)
Sadie & Mark
Dance: Jive
Song: "1, 2, 3 Turnaround" by Christian TV
America got to choose the type of dress and the color. The comments were all positive for Sadie about being confident but also competitive. Sadie loved the jive this week because there weren't that many theatrics. The couple immediately started dancing. The side by side movements weren't as confident but when the two got into hold I thought the couple looked strong. Sadie's legs once in a while looked out of place, but her timing was on this week and she kept up with the high-energy routine.
Len loved the content and humor touches. Julianne knew the jive was tough, but Sadie made up in performance-factor. Bruno respected the two of them for attempting a difficult jive; she had the spirit, but her weight distribution needed help. Carrie Ann appreciated how exposed Sadie was, but she needed torso strength.
Score: 33 (8,9,8,8)
Janel & Val
Dance: Quickstep
Song: "Hey Boy! Hey Girl!" by Louis Prima & Keely Smith
Val knew the perfect score put a lot of pressure on the couple. Janel was really nervous because she's not the best in hold. Janel was in tears because she didn't think she had enough time to get it right. The couple started with some cute chair choreography and got immediately into a fast quickstep. Janel kept up with the routine even when she tripped a bit near the end. The end sequence was a beautiful way to finish the dance.
Julianne knew Val had a minor issue, but she thought it was still the best dance of the night. Bruno loved the detail. Carrie Ann agreed with Julianne, it was a wonderful performance. Len thought she had hold, posture, and movement.
Score: 38 (9,10,10,9)
[new page='Dancing with the Stars' Season 19 Recap: Week Nine Performances (America's Choice and Trio Dances), Page 2]
Round 2: Trio Dances
While the process wasn't fully explained live, the competitors got to choose from members of the troupe or eliminated professionals. It seemed according to Sadie's video like they had a board where the contestants got to choose, though who got to choose first wasn't announced. We do know that Lea got to pick before Sadie so it may have been lowest score picked first.
Alfonso & Witney
Dance: Paso Doble with Lindsay Arnold
Song: "Turn Down for What" by DJ Snake & Lil Jon
Since Lindsay and Witney have been dancing together for a long time, Witney had an opportunity to be a kid with someone her age. Alfonso loved how manly he had to be for the paso. Alfonso began under a triangle and the three began to dance. I liked the intensity the music and the choreography had. I liked the choice of choreography since it correctly integrated paso style with the music they were given.
Len wasn't a fan of a song, but he was a fan of the paso. Julianne thought the routine was amazing. Bruno thought the routine was the ride of the night. Carrie Ann thought the routine was insane.
Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
Tommy & Peta
Dance: Samba with Sharna Burgess
Song: "Talk Dirty" by Jason Derulo ft. 2 Chainz
Peta picked Sharna because the two knew each other from Australian competitions. Peta thought up the ultimate airplane fantasy for the routine; she hoped the character would really win over people. The routine began silly and the routine was going to be hysterical from the beginning. There wasn't a lot of actual samba content, but it was just fun to watch.
Julianne was at a loss for words. Bruno wasn't sure about the samba. Carrie Ann didn't know what to say; she was entertained. Len wanted to fly with them.
Score: 28 (7,7,7,7)
Lea & Artem
Dance: Paso Doble with Henry Byalikov
Score: "Black Betty"—Ram Jam
Lea was happy about her sandwich of guys. The concept was being in control of the two men. She felt amazing at her age to be in that position. Lea began the routine a little slow for my taste, but once she got down the stairs, she picked up the speed she needed for the intensity of the dance. She was behind a little bit at a few moments. The men around her definitely made her look amazing.
Bruno thought Lea had control and good patterns. Carrie Ann thought there was a great strategy and good confidence. Len loved how Lea was the focal point. Julianne thought the routine was well done.
Score: 36 (9,9,9,9)
Bethany & Derek
Dance: Argentine Tango with Tony Dovolani
Song: "Jungle" by X Ambassadors & Jamie N Commons
Derek picked Tony because he thought he would be great for strength. Bethany found the routine a bit scary with two professionals. Derek's back was bothering him after the salsa so Tony was doing a lot of the lifts. Bethany began and she had this intensity that was completely opposite of her first dance. I liked the way Bethany bounced back and forth between the two professionals with ease and Derek choreographed very interesting shapes.
Carrie Ann loved the dynamic of the routine, she wanted more passion between Bethany and her partner. Len thought the transitions were seamless. Julianne agreed with Len. Bruno loved the aggressive rawness of the routine.
Score: 38 (9,10,10,9)
Sadie & Mark
Dance: Foxtrot with Emma Slater
Song: "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" by Frankie Valli
We got to watch as Mark was disappointed to have Henry already taken so the couple decided to go with Emma. Mark pointed out the routine was the first trio Foxtrot and the first for a female contestant to pick another female. Mark became the center of the couples instead of Sadie. I thought the choice of the three in hold worked well and the three all side-by-side worked. I'm not sure if Sadie stood out, but if anything she looked like a professional next to the two.
Len thought the routine was the best trio of the night. Julianne thought she looked and danced like a million dollars. Bruno thought there was movie star quality.
Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)
Janel & Val
Dance: Salsa with Keo Motsepe
Keo arrived and Janel was excited. Val thought that Keo deserved an opportunity to try on his first season. Val wanted challenging lifts with an acrobatic sense. Janel explained that the routine was gonna be raw and athletic. The routine began and the routine sizzled from the beginning. I thought that Janel got to use that sass of hers amazingly and the choreography fit the spirit of the dance.
Bruno called it jungle fever. Carrie Ann called her a superstar. Len thought the routine was good, but it needed more salsa content.
Score: 39 (10,9,10,10)
After the last dance, Tom and Erin announced that Alfonso & Witney, Bethany & Derek, and Janel & Val were all safe. The two left were Lea & Artem and Sadie & Mark. The couple with the lowest scores were Lea & Artem. Lea loved the experience and appreciated how much Artem put in for the couple.
Week 9 Total Scores
Alfonso - 77
Janel - 77
Bethany - 74
Sadie - 73
Lea - 70 Eliminated
Tommy - 58
image for thumbnail courtesy of ABC, Craig Sjodin