‘Dancing With the Stars’ Shocking Elimination & Special Tribute to Len Goodman (RECAP)

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[Warning: The following contains MAJOR spoilers for Dancing with the Stars]

The 10 couples left on Dancing with the Stars took a dance down memory lane for Monday’s “Most Memorable Year” show. For the occasion, the celebs and their partners performed routines inspired by a pivotal time in their lives. NFL great Adrian Peterson and pro Britt Stewart’s straight 7 scores were not enough to keep them safe last week. This further cemented how important viewership voting was to keeping duos alive.

Outside the competition, DWTS formally paid tribute to Len Goodman with a special waltz choreographed by Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson Chmerkovskiy to the sounds of Henry Mancini’s “Moon River.” Current pros, as well as Derek and Julianne Hough,  joined returning faces to honor the late lead judge. Among them Val’s brother Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Kym Johnson-Herjavec, Tony Dovolani, Anna Trebunskaya, Edyta Śliwińska, Karina Smirnoff, Louis van Amstel, and Mark Ballas. But there was no sign of long-time favorite Cheryl Burke, who previously stated that she had not been invited to attend. The dance and video tribute really brought a tear to your eye. Gone but never forgotten in the ballroom.

Even on such an emotional night, judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Toniolli, and Derek Hough still had work to be done. The judges’ scores combined and viewer voting once again decided the fate of those remaining couples. Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro announced Mira Sorvino and Gleb Savchenko would not be moving forward. The shocking result was revealed to be the closest vote they’ve had so far.

Find out how the nostalgic-themed night panned out and who got the first 10s of the season below.

Mira Sorvino & Gleb Savchenko

ABC

Dance: Contemporary to “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper
Score: 22
The actress, who worked through a wrist injury, chose 2004 because it was the year her baby Mattea was born, who has since taken up dancing. It was amazing to see Mattea join in the routine, which definitely gave Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion flashbacks. Derek, who gave her first 8, saw the joy. Bruno told her to work on her core. Carrie Ann enjoyed seeing go from a comedic scene from a movie to a heartfelt dance.

Ariana Madix & Pasha Pashkov

ABC

Dance: Viennese to “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish
Score: 24
The Vanderpump Rules star chose 2023 because of how she fought back after the “Scandoval” and being cheated on. Bruno called it a power waltz with a message. Carrie Ann saw a fighter. Derek saw a small stumble, but an overall beautiful dance. A great job knowing she has been battling a foot injury.

Charity Lawson & Artem Chigvintsev

ABC

Dance: Contemporary to “Lose You to Love Me” by Selena Gomez
Score: 28
She chose 2022 because she graduated from grad school and moved past a prior toxic relationship. The Bachelorette star gunned for a 9 with a powerful performance using a jungle gym-like prop she weaved through. Carrie Ann finds everyone will remember the dance this season and gave her the first 10.

Alyson Hannigan & Sasha Farber

ABC

Dance: Viennese waltz to “Perfect” from Ed Sheeran
Score: 21
The actress decided on the year 2003 when she married her now husband Alexis Denisof. The couple, that got together from the set of, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. Judges saw improvement, despite a tiny misstep. The hard work paid off with a higher score.

Harry Jowsey & Rylee Arnold

ABC

Dance: Contemporary to “Keep Your Head Up” from  Andy Grammer
Score: 18
The reality star chose 2020 because it was when he was on Too Hot to Handle and began understanding the cost of fame. He opened up about overcoming depression from negative comments from social media. Bruno told the “lifter” to work on his musicality. Derek agreed. Carrie Ann felt he had taken a step backward. 

Jason Mraz & Daniella Karagach

ABC

Dance: Quickstep to “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson
Score: 27
The Grammy winner chose 1999 because it’s where he was in Farmville, Virginia working as a janitor at an elementary school. He decided to hit the road to pursue his musical dream in California. The song that came on the radio during the trip was “On the Road Again.” Carrie Ann called him technically superior in the competition, despite a little wobble. Derek was impressed. Bruno enjoyed the ride and felt it came off effortlessly.

Lele Pons & Brandon Armstrong

ABC

Dance: Contemporary to “I’ll Stand by You”  by The Pretenders
Score: 24
The singer and social media star picked 2020 because it marked a lot of changes in her life. It was the year she released a documentary that tackled her mental health struggles including OCD and tourettes. She dedicated the dance to her husband, Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa. Derek saw progress. Bruno appreciated her truthfulness. Carrie Ann called it her best dance.

Xochitl Gomez & Val Chmerkovskiy

ABC

Dance: Viennese waltz to “Until I Found You” by  Stephen Sanchez
Score: 28
The Marvel star found inspiration in the year 2021 because it was when she became the first Latina superhero, landing the role of América Chávez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. She spoke about missing her quinceanera. Bruno said she swept them all away. Carrie Ann loved the flow and movement but saw a tiny wobble. Derek didn’t see it and gave her a 10.

Mauricio Umansky & Emma Slater

ABC

Dance: Contemporary to “Rise Up” by Andra Day
Score: 24
The real estate mogul and reality star goes back to 1996. A year of change when his family of four lived in a small condo until a fire changed everything. After barely making ends meet, he gave real estate a try and the rest is history. Carrie Ann found it beautiful. Derek was moved by his commitment. Bruno called it his best dance yet. He also got his best scores yet.

Barry Williams & Peta Murgatroyd

ABC

Dance: Paso Doble to “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf
Score: 24
The Brady Bunch star reflected on 1968 before he secured the life-changing TV role. The year goes back to simpler times when he would have fun and just ride his motorcycle. Derek called it a beautiful redemption dance. He said Len would have liked it. Bruno didn’t see any mistakes. For Carrie Ann, it made her heart happy. His first 8s of the season.

Dancing with the Stars, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC and Disney+