‘Dancing with the Stars’ Semi-Finals recap: Who makes it to the grand finale? [Live Blog]
“Dancing with the Stars” is close to the end of Season 33, but first the remaining couples will have to get through the “Semi-Finals” to earn a spot in the grand finale. Having somehow survived last week’s instant dance challenges, where they had to perform routines mere minutes after learning their music and dance styles, the celebs will now have to perform another two routines, though this time they had the full rehearsals week to prep both dances, so they might be breathing a relative sigh of relief. But the stakes are sky-high with the finale on the line. Scroll down for our live blog with all our minute-by-minute commentary as the night progresses.
With the elimination of NBA basketball star Dwight Howard and his partner Danielle Karagach in last week’s “500th Episode,” there are five couples remaining in contention for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy: Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson, “The Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei and pro Jenna Johnson, TV star Chandler Kinney and pro Brandon Armstrong, Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and pro Alan Bersten, and Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold.
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Each couple will perform one new ballroom style and then one new Latin style to prove they deserve to compete for the Len Goodman Mirror Ball Trophy next week. In addition, the night will also include the pros and troupe dancers performing a number to Dua Lipa‘s “Dance the Night” choreographed by Sasha Farber and Ezra Sosa. And there will be another special routine to “Greedy (Acoustic)” by Tate McRae choreographed by Mandy Moore to promote the upcoming 2025 “DWTS” tour. Luckily, they won’t have to worry about scores from the judges. Follow along with us below starting at 8:00pm (times listed are Eastern).
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ROUND ONE
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Salsa)
Cordell Martin, 8:04pm — Not chandler going first! Let’s see how this goes
Daniel Montgomery, 8:04pm — Starting with Latin for Chandler. Hope she can get good scores despite going first.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann Inaba thought it was amazing, and this showed a new side. She praises the artistry and the lifts. Derek Hough thought she danced like she was already in the finals, but he would have liked to see more salsa content. Bruno Tonioli says, that cocktail hit the spot. She started smooth, then cranked up the heat.
DM, 8:09pm — That last lift was a little wonky, but otherwise a stellar salsa.
Jeffrey Kare, 8:09pm — Well, tonight is at least off to an electrifying start.
CM, 8:09pm — Great job chandler. Definitely set the tone for the evening. Love the confidence. Maybe two 10s and 9?
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (10) — 29 out of 30
JK, 8:11pm — Exactly what she got.
CM, 8:11pm — Not mad at those scores
JK, 8:11pm — Neither am I.
DM, 8:12pm — Yeah, I can’t complain either. At least they didn’t hold back on her for going first.
CM, 8:12pm — Surprised the top scoring stars, Chandler and Joey, are going first and second.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Foxtrot)
DM, 8:14pm — Jenna and Joey are comfortable in frame, but she points out that this is a jazzier form of foxtrot. I’m not worried about him.
CM, 8:15pm — Joey will get his first perfect score tonight.
JUDGES — Derek calls it a master class wrapped in a breath of fresh air. The frame was pristine. Bruno thought it was a total golden age Hollywood performance, and he’s a matinee idol. It was a pure high-quality foxtrot. Carrie Ann Inaba says the race is on, it was fabulous.
DM, 8:19pm — Yep, couldn’t see anything wrong with that foxtrot, smooth as silk
JK, 8:19pm — It’s full of amazing energy!
CM, 8:19pm — I agree. He just wrote a ticket to the finals.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (10), Bruno (10) — 30 out of 30
CM, 8:23pm — Called it lol
JK, 8:23pm — Well deserved!
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Paso Doble)
DM, 8:24pm — I think she’s at risk of elimination if she doesn’t pull a rabbit out of the hat, but she did that last week. She’s the most clutch player in this competition.
JUDGES — Bruno thinks she needs to work on more of the flamenco flavor, but it was an otherwise excellent performance. Carrie Ann thinks she has grown more than anyone else this season. Derek gives a standing ovation, it was sharp, deliberate, and intentional.
DM, 8:28pm — I think Ilona might be the third best dancer in this competition strictly from a technique standpoint. That was terrific for the most part.
CM, 8:29pm — Wow. She did that. Her best performance this season
JK, 8:29pm — She really slayed that performance! She arguably “did the thing.”
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (10), Bruno (9) — 28 out of 30
CM, 8:31pm — She’s in the finals.
DM, 8:32pm — Unless he does something to really blow me away tonight, the dancer I’d personally eliminate out of the five would be Danny. He’s good, but the other celebs have grown more in my opinion.
CM, 8:33pm — I agree, but I have a feeling everyone is going to the finals lol
JK, 8:33pm — Then maybe I was onto something when I mentioned that possibility last week.
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Viennese Waltz)
DM, 8:34pm — Alright, Danny, show me something. Witney says they need wow moments and to show their hearts, so she’s giving them a storyline.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann is proud of him for approaching his dances with authenticity, the chemistry and trust make the magic. Derek is impressed because the frame has improved and the choreography has improved. But he loses a little bit of the performance aspect. Bruno’s heart melts over how he sees his partner and how much work he puts into it. But his bum keeps sticking out.
DM, 8:38pm — A very good Danny routine, but again, he hasn’t really blown me away this season yet.
JK, 8:40pm — I thought some of the staging was very creative. Not a strong dance, but still elegant.
CM, 8:40pm — Another solid routine. I feel the judges are going to overscore him
CM, 8:41pm — Never mind, glad Derek is scoring accordingly.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Bruno (9) — 27 out of 30
JK, 8:41pm — Well, no 10s.
DM, 8:42pm — I agreed with Derek, I’m glad it didn’t get 10s, but those 9s were deserved.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Cha Cha)
DM, 8:47pm — I’m a little worried about Stephen on a cha cha. It’s supposed to be faster-paced, and Rylee wants to bring the sexy out of him, but I’m still worried about his timing.
JUDGES — Derek roots for him, but he feels like the dance got the better of him. Bruno thought it wasn’t quite Ricky Martin, but he captured the feel of the dance, despite problems with foot placement and hip action. Carrie Ann thinks they went backwards this week with the musicality.
DM, 8:52pm — That was a lot of fun from Stephen. A little stiff in places, but he seemed to mostly keep the right timing.
JK, 8:52pm — I agree. Very energetic.
CM, 8:52pm — It was a cute routine, a bit stiff at times. Sucks he had to go after everyone else.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (8), Derek (8), Bruno (9) — 25 out of 30
JK, 8:54pm — Don’t worry, Stephen. You’ve got one more performance to do better.
DM, 8:55pm — Right now it looks like it might be either Stephen or Danny going home (if anyone goes home).
ROUND TWO
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Foxtrot)
DM, 8:57pm — I think she could win the Mirror Ball, but first she has to make it to the finale. I don’t want her to be a shocking elimination, so bring on some more 10s!
JUDGES — Bruno thought the content was at an incredible technical level. Carrie Ann credits her with still growing as a celeb, but there were two unintentional lifts. Derek feels Brandon has really grown this season, it was a phenomenal performance.
DM, 9:03pm — Damn, she nailed the emotion on that one. Really looked like she was pissed at Brandon in the end. Stellar yet again
JK, 9:03pm — Excellently done!
DM, 9:04pm — So much for a perfect score
CM, 9:04pm — Oh Carrie Ann. Maybe two 10s and a 9?
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (10), Bruno (10) — 29 out of 30
CM, 9:08pm— Not surprised that Carrie Ann called them out on the lift lol. I wonder if Joey will get another perfect score.
Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Paso Doble)
DM, 9:09pm — Joey got a perfect score in round one, and Chandler has opened the door. Joey only needs one 10 to at least tie for the top of the leaderboard.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann loved the attack and passion, but he was a little ahead of the music, and there was a little stumble at the end. Derek says he paso-ed all over that doble. Derek feels like his timing is his best part. Bruno thought it was smoldering, like a rock idol, but he did mess it up a little bit.
DM, 9:15pm — Another strong dance for Joey, but I actually preferred his round one routine
JK, 9:15pm — Regardless of what I prefer, that was still incredible!
CM, 9:15pm — Okay Carrie Ann lol
DM, 9:16pm — Looks like two 9s and a 10, which means a tie with Chandler at the top.
JK, 9:16pm — Not a bad place to be.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (10), Bruno (9) — 28 out of 30
JK, 9:18pm — I knew Derek was gonna give a 10.
CM, 9:20pm — At least the judges are actually judging tonight and not throwing out high scores just for fun.
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Viennese Waltz)
DM, 9:21pm — She has completely come into her own. I think I’ve been underestimating her in recent weeks. Girl, you got this.
JUDGES — Derek thought it was delicate and graceful, could have used more stride. Bruno thought it had flow and musicality, as well as vulnerability. Carrie Ann is honored to have watched that dance and to have seen her embrace the yin to match her yang.
DM, 9:26pm — Okay, forget the paso, THIS waltz was her best dance of the season. She’s peaking at exactly the right time.
JK, 9:26pm — Absolutely stunning performance!
CM, 9:27pm — I got goosebumps. That was magnificent
DM, 9:27pm — Two 10s and a 9?
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (10) — 29 out of 30
CM, 9:32pm — I predict she gets called first as a finalist.
Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Tango)
DM, 9:33pm — Okay, Stephen, redemption time! Rylee thinks he has the advantage of upper body strength, which will help him in frame.
CM, 9:34pm — Is Danny dancing last?
JK, 9:34pm — Apparently
CM, 9:34pm — Interesting
JUDGES — Bruno could see him trying to get the timing right, and he did it. Carrie Ann was impressed because the glasses mishap could screw up your depth perception. Derek thought it was much better than his first dance.
DM, 9:37pm — Way to go Stephen! He even managed to keep it going despite the wardrobe malfunction haha
CM, 9:38pm — I know right lol
JK, 9:38pm — He definitely knocked it out of the park!
SCORES — Carrie Ann (10), Derek (9), Bruno (9) — 28 out of 30
Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Salsa)
DM, 9:45pm — Moment of truth for Danny. Pressure’s on. He had two points of advantage over Stephen from round one. Chances are good he’ll stay above Stephen on the leaderboard unless there’s some disaster. They’re planning tough lifts, so … fingers crossed.
JUDGES — Carrie Ann thought the lifts were well executed. Derek thought he blew the roof off the place. There were some issues between the lifts, but the lifts were a perfect 10. Bruno thought it was a wonderful end to a spectacular night.
DM, 9:49pm — Good lifts for Danny and Witney, decent salsa. Still something missing for me.
JK, 9:51pm — Definitely better than his first routine of the night, but still nothing special.
CM, 9:51pm — I agree. Nothing groundbreaking.
SCORES — Carrie Ann (9), Derek (9), Bruno (9) — 27 out of 30
JUDGES’ LEADERBOARD
1. Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson — 30 + 28 = 58
1. Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong — 29 + 29 = 58
3. Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten — 28 + 29 = 57
4. Danny Amendola and Witney Carson — 27 + 27 = 54
5. Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold — 25 + 28 = 53
RESULTS
CM, 9:54pm — Here we go guys.
DM, 9:58pm — Going to the finale are … Danny (oof, bad news for Stephen), Joey (duh), Chandler (whew). I hate this bottom two, you guys.
DM, 10:00pm — NO ONE ELIMINATED! Not entirely surprised, but definitely relieved because I didn’t want to see Stephen or Ilona go.
JK, 10:01pm — Whoa!
CM, 10:01pm — I knew it.
JK, 10:01pm — Ditto!
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