‘Dancing With the Stars’ Recap: 3 Stars Top the Leaderboard as Another Elimination Is Made

The Tuesday, November 11, episode of Dancing With the Stars was one for the books. The episode honored the 20th anniversary of the competition show, with Tom Bergeron returning to guest judge alongside Carrie Ann Inaba, Bruno Tonioli, and Derek Hough. Throughout the night, viewers were taken on a trip down memory lane from two decades in the ballroom.

In addition to all six of the original pros returning to perform, there was also a tribute to DWTS contestants we’ve lost over the years, among other familiar faces and surprises.

The seven remaining stars also still had to compete. Their individual routines were all inspired by an iconic freestyle dance from a previous season. Part two of the night was the dance relay, which Whitney Leavitt was immune from due to her high score from last week (she automatically received two bonus points as part of her immunity). The other six celebs were paired up with previous Mirrorball champions during the head-to-head relays with one of their fellow competitors.

Scroll down for a recap of the night’s performances and to see the final leaderboard. Plus, who was eliminated at the end of the night?

Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten — 36/40

It’s been a rough go for Elaine Hendrix, who’s been battling a rib injury that took her out of the competition two weeks ago, but she’s now more determined than ever. This week, she danced a salsa inspired by Mario Lopez‘s Season 3 finale dance to “It Takes Two.”

Bergeron weighed in first and got out of his seat to tell his friend, “That was really good!” with a hug. Tonioli said Hendrix “got the party started” and added, “There’s something very special. Whatever you do, you’re like the best champagne.”

Inaba called the dance a “fantastic way to start this night” and praised Hendrix’s “resilience” after her injury. Finally, Hough said, “You are just like a sizzling salsa queen here. I love it!” However, he also reminded everyone that this is the quarterfinals, hinting that the judges will have to be tough with their scoring. Hendrix earned 9s from all the judges for a score of 36/40.

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson — 40/40

Robert Irwin danced a foxtrot inspired by his sister Bindi Irwin‘s freestyle. The dance was dedicated to their late father, so there was an emotional component off the bat, and Bindi joined him on the dance floor at the end of the routine.

“That was so beautiful. It was a poetic, touching tribute that really touched all of us,” Tonioli said. “I could not take my eyes off of you.” Inaba pointed out that Irwin’s foot came off the ground at one point in the dance, but said, “This dance was so powerful, so profound. You were so charismatic that first episode, and now you’ve turned into a beautiful storyteller. Who cares about lifts?!”

Hough choked back tears as he gushed about his friendship with the Irwin family. “You are this generation’s beacon of joy and enthusiasm,” he revealed. “You are not just walking the path he set, you are dancing it. And you’re dancing it beautifully.” Bergeron told Irwin he has “grown into a star.”

And with that, Irwin received the first perfect score of the season, with 10s from all the judges.

Andy Richter & Emma Slater — 29/40

Andy Richter has been at the bottom of the leaderboard for weeks, and he had to dance one of the toughest dance styles, quickstep, tonight. His routine was inspired by Jordan Fisher‘s Season 25 freestyle to “Puttin’ on the Ritz.”

“There is no greater honor or privilege than to watch somebody show up week after week, giving it his best, even when it may not seem like you’re going to be up here. That is the courage you display every week,” Inaba praised Richter. She also noted, “This little man is turning into a dancer!”

Bergeron told Richter that Len Goodman “would’ve loved” that quickstep. Tonioli raved, “It was quick and it had plenty of steps! What more do you want?” Inaba gave Richter an 8, while the other three judges scored him a 7, for a total of 29/40.

Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach — 40/40

Dylan Efron‘s Argentine tango drew inspiration from Milo Manheim’s freestyle to “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The routine took major risks with lots of lifts and tricks.

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“As the great Len Goodman would say, ‘Hold my gaze!’ That was your breakthrough moment by a long shot,” Hough gushed. “When people ask me who I’m surprised about, I say Dylan. Your improvement has been astonishing.” Bergeron said Efron looked like a pro and a “leading man” on the dance floor.

“Dylan, the Argentinian idol! You were not dancing tonight, you were starring. There is a big difference,” Tonioli insisted. The routine earned Efron a perfect score!

Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa — 37/40

For her 20th Birthday Party cha-cha-cha, Jordan Chiles performed to “Get Up,” inspired by Wayne Brady‘s freestyle.

“Strong dance, a little bit wild at times,” Inaba admitted, calling the routine “a little wild” at times. “Your shoulders are coming up when you’re turning. It happened numerous times in this so I really want you to work on that.” Hough raved over the “texture and the body” that Chiles had in her dance.

Inaba gave the dance a 9, as did Bergeron and Tonioli, but Hough gave it a 10 for a 37/40 total.

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy — 40/40

This week, Alix Earle performed a foxtrot inspired by Nev Schulman‘s “Singin’ in the Rain” freestyle.

“I think I’ve entered ballroom heaven. Yes, Len, I know. This is how you do it!” Tonioli said. “You really captured the essence, the class, the beauty, the glamour, the sophistication of Hollywood’s Golden Age.” Inaba said she “really noticed” how Alix is “letting go completely now, and there’s something so joyous, and that is the heart and soul of this show.”

Hough said the dance was “clean, classic, smooth, sophisticated, stylish.” He also called the foxtrot “flawless.” And with that, another perfect score!

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas — 40/40

The final individual dance of the night was Leavitt’s Argentine tango, inspired by Gabby Windey’s freestyle dance to “Cell Block Tango.”

“What are you doing after this show? Because I’m going to be your biggest fan and follow you wherever you go. That was such an incredibly passionate and precise dance,” Inaba complimented. “You were sticking that landing and you nailed it!”

Hough said the routine was “dripping in elegance and control,” and raved over the “artistry” and “musicality” that Leavitt brought to the dance. “It had it all!” he admitted.

Bergeron revealed he was “swept away” by the performance, and Tonioli said, “I knew you were a ruthless killer! Razor sharp focus, driven by passion. Your leg work and what you did today, really is worthy.” He also called it the “best dance tonight.”

Unsurprisingly, Leavitt scored a 40/40. She also already came into the night with two bonus points from her top position last week.

Jordan vs. Elaine

The first relay was between Chiles and Hendrix, who were paired with Apolo Anton Ohno and Rashad Jennings, respectively. They were tasked with dancing a quickstep, one after the other, and the judges had to choose one winner, who received two bonus points.

“Apolo, that was incredible! Rashad, amazing,” Hough raved. “Jordan, your guys’ was elegant, it was classy, the control, the quality, was impressive. Elaine, the bounciness, the brightness, the fun. Fantastic, both of you. This is very hard.”

Bergeron said the whole thing was “all kinds of fun,” and Inaba said, “Bravo to the returning champs. Not only did you have to remember how to dance, you also had to lead again. Very entertaining, very smooth as silk. I don’t know what we’re going to do!”

Chiles and Ohno were the winners of the relay, which means they got two extra points to their score.

Andy vs. Dylan

Richter and Efron were paired with Kaitlyn Bristowe and Rumer Willis, respectively, for their relay Vienesse waltz.

“You were making music,” Tonioli told Efron and Willis. “There were two finely-tuned instruments in harmony. Andy, you wanted to distract me? You succeded. This is going to go viral, it really is.”

To Efron and Willis, Inaba said the dance was “magic,” and joked about Richter’s “sex appeal” in the dance, in more ways than just the shirt with fake abs he was wearing! Hough told Willis and Efron that they “look like they’ve been dancing together forever.” Efron and Willis earned the two bonus points as the winners of the relay.

Robert vs. Alix

Irwin and Earle were in the last dance relay, which required them to dance a jive with Xochitl Gomez and Joey Graziadei, respectively.

“The standard this season is outstanding,” Tonioli pointed out. “Everything you did was very good in very different ways. I cannot fault anything. It’s purely a question of taste, really. What you did was brilliant.”

“You both did great,” Inaba promised. “This is a really hard one. It’s boy and girl opposite. It’s hard to compare.” Hough called the routine “amazing” and made sure to point out Irwin and Gomez’s “chemistry.” Bergeron took a moment to ask the network to bring back the results show next season so that the whole country can vote live.

This was admittedly the toughest decision for the judges to make, but they picked Irwin and Gomez as the winners.

Dancing With the Stars Week 9 leaderboard

We’ll be updating the leaderboard throughout the night as the scores come in.

Whitney Leavitt & Mark Ballas — 42/42

Dylan Efron & Daniella Karagach — 42/42

Robert Irwin & Witney Carson — 42/42

Alix Earle & Val Chmerkovskiy — 40/42

Jordan Chiles & Ezra Sosa — 39/42

Elaine Hendrix & Alan Bersten — 36/42

Andy Richter & Emma Slater — 29/42

Who was eliminated on Dancing With the Stars Week 9?

At the end of the night, one couple was eliminated. The team who had the lowest combined scores and viewer votes was sent home. Leavitt was first to be called safe, followed by Efron, then Earle, then Irwin.

While not necessarily the bottom three, Chiles, Hendrix, and Richter were left to learn their fate. The couple that was eliminated was: Andy Richter and Emma Slater.

Dancing With the Stars, Season 34, Tuesdays, 8/7c, ABC

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