Another pair were sent home after performing their best in the emotional episode.
- Oct 9, 2018
AceShowbiz - The celebrity contestants of "Dancing with the Stars" returned to the ballroom in Monday, October 8 episode. As "Most Memorable Year" was the theme of the night, the episode saw each contestant performing in honor of a year which had a special and meaningful impact on their lives.
Mary Lou Retton and Sasha Farber was first up, performing a Viennese Waltz to "We are the Champions" by Ray Chew Live. Mary Lou revealed that the year 1984 was special to her since it was when she won the Olympic gold medal in gymnastic.
"You epitomize an athlete's fighting spirit.... It was a lovely performance," judge Len Goodman said of her performance. "I was deeply touched, which is what this week is about," Carrie Ann Inaba added. The pair got a 24 out of 30.
Up next was Milo Manheim and Witney Carson, who did a Jive to "Can You Do This" by Aloe Blacc. Milo said that 2018 was his most memorable year as he started his life with "Zombies" and college. "This guy has such strength and elasticity. That was fantastic," Bruno Tonioli raved. He got a 27.
Nancy McKeon, meanwhile, danced a Rumba to "Love Someone" by Lukas Graham alongside Valentin Chmerkovskiy. Nancy felt 2006 was her most memorable year, adding that it was the year when "our family was complete." Of her performance, Len said, "It's a love-based joy that you feel that comes out when you dance." She earned 22 points.
Alexis Ren and Alan Bersten did a Contemporary to "How to Save a Life" by Ray Chew Live. She said that Mother's Day in 2014 was such a memorable moment for her as her father told her that her mother had stage 4 cancer and she wouldn't live much longer.
"Your dancing never disappoints me. The performance level is great. Loved the lifts," Len gushed. Bruno said, "You have a guardian angel. Beautiful movement, I loved it." The pair got a 26.
Evanna Lynch and Keo Motsepe followed it up with a magical Viennese Waltz to "Hedwig's Theme" by John Williams. Evanna, who suffered from an eating disorder, recalled how becoming pen pals with J.K. Rowling helped her go through it and the books were keeping her spirits up.
"Your magic is stronger than ever! We are all under your spell," Bruno said. clearly in love with her performance. They got a 27.
Performing next was Joe "Grocery Story Joe" Amabile and Jenna Johnson. They did a Viennese Waltz to "You are the Reason" featuring a live performance by Calum Scott and Leona Lewis. This year was memorable for Joe as he found his girlfriend Kendall.
"I saw so much more opening, and I really saw you trying. ... You didn't miss any beat, you stayed on the tempo," Carrie Ann said of his routine. Bruno agreed, adding, "You were moving, now you have to work on the quality of movement." He got a 18.
Juan Pablo Di Pace and Cheryl Burke took the stage to perform a Samba to "Ni Tu Ni Yo" by Jennifer Lopez featuring Gente de Zona. Len was left speechless as he gave them a standing ovation. "27 seasons I have done the show. That was one of the best sambas I've seen," Bruno praised them. The jugdes gave them a perfect score!
John Schneider and Emma Slater performed next, dancing a Waltz to "Smile" by Ray Chew Live. John said that 2016 was his most memorable year. That was when he survived a horrible flood and lost his mother. He channeled his emotion to the perfomance which was dubbed "moving" by Bruno. He got a 21.
Dancing a Contemporary dance to "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman" were Bobby Jones and Sharna Burgess. His most memorable year was the year he graduated high school because he inspired his mom to get his GED. "Honest, real, the storytelling was superb," Bruno said of his routine. The performance earned him a 23, his highest score so far.
Tinashe, whose most memorable year was when she released her debut album "Aquarius", and Brandon Armstrong offered an epic Rumba performance to her own song "2 On". "That's your best dance for me, and it's a tough dance," Bruno said. Carrie Ann added, "I feel like we're only beginning to see the best of you." She got a 27!
Rounding out the night's performances was DeMarcus Ware, who picked 2016 as his most memorable year. Alongside Lindsay Arnold, he danced an Argentine Tango to "Lux Aeterna" by Clint Mansell & Kronos Quartet, "That was an almost superhuman display of strength. Mind-blowing," said Bruno. DeMarcus got a 26.
Now it was time to learn which pair who would be sent home. It was revealed that the night was the last night for Nancy and Val as they were eliminated.
