Monday was a dramatic night in the Dancing With the Stars ballroom. As we walked to stage, our producer Rob Wade called us into an emergency meeting to discuss what was going to happen in the first round of competition. We were told that Tamar Braxton had gone to the hospital and that she wasn’t going to dance the first dance. We reviewed the protocol, which says that if a contestant can’t dance, we judge the recording of their dress rehearsal (if they have done a dress rehearsal). This is when I think about my dance teachers who always told us to dance our best performances every time. A lot of performers don’t understand that a dress rehearsal is a time to practice your full performance. As the night unfolded, I kept hoping that Tamar was a “full out” dress rehearsal kind of person, but I remembered a few weeks ago that Val Chmerkovskiy said she wasn’t, so I was worried. But I was more worried for her health because I have been struggling with bronchitis now for two weeks and I heard (via the rumors — not officially) that she was having a difficult time breathing, so I was very concerned. For me, health is a priority. The other message we received from the producers was that we didn’t know how things would unfold. They did not know if she would make it back for the Show Stopper Team Up Challenge.
That was the update 3 minutes before showtime!
During the show we watched her dress rehearsal footage since she wasn’t in the ballroom. It was a decent performance, but she was marking and she missed a lift so the scores were not great. It was strange for everyone to have to do it this way, but at least she had the dress rehearsal for us to judge. If she didn’t, that would have been a bigger problem. But the bigger question remained — was she going to show up for the team dance with Nick Carter? Just before the Showstopper Round began, we got word that she was on her way back from the hospital. There was still no official word on why she was hospitalized, so I wasn’t sure what shape she would be in when she returned.
When she finally returned to perform, it was a bit scary. Just before the performance, she was wobbly as she leaned on the pole. What was so impressive about the team up performance with Nick Carter was that he really rose to the occasion. With very little practice, he knew what he needed to do. It seemed that he was dancing to match her, knowing that she was struggling. He supported her beautifully and the performance as whole was incredible. It almost felt like we were all in a dream. With all the acrobats and the Cirque Du Soleil-type set up, it was very surreal. In some ways the whole thing was hard to grasp. What I kept seeing was the way the group bonded to make it work. In the end, Tamar lost some steps of the choreography, which brought her score down, but to get out there after being hospitalized, and perhaps even a bit disoriented, and perform to that level is nothing short of amazing. Their teamwork was outstanding and truly to be applauded. That is what this round of competition was all about. I applaud both couples, Nick and Sharna Burgess for lifting up their partners and helping them through this performance, and Tamar and Val for not letting Nick and Sharna down. It was team spirit all the way. I don’t have an update on Tamar today, but I am hoping she is resting and able regain her health. She’s a strong woman. I wish her healing and good health this week.
I’m not going talk about every performance this week because there was so much happening, but I do want to discuss the elimination.
I believe we witnessed the most emotional elimination in the history of DWTS last night. It was heart-wrenching and beautiful all at once. Seeing the true love between Carlos Penavega and Alexa Penavega was really special. As husband and wife, they entered this competition, not fully aware of how deep and how emotional the journey can be. They shared intimate secrets and have opened their hearts to new possibilities in life through dance. I was especially moved by Alexa’s contemporary dance to “Make It Rain.” She was spectacular. This is when dance transcends performance. This was a life-changing moment for her. To face such a deep pain so fearlessly is healing. This is the true power of dance at its finest. Alexa was able to pour her pain into her dance, and through the dance, (and Mark Ballas‘s incredible choreography and concept), she was able to transform her private pain into a profoundly honest moment of unguarded expression that touched and inspired. To witness such a moment of breakthrough for another person is a rarity. But on Dancing With the Stars, we are lucky enough to be able to not only witness moments like these, but also support and encourage these incredible breakthroughs. Moments like these, the ones that touch your own soul and remind it to live and take risks a little more often, they start with the incredible courage of the performer to open their heart and dare to express their pain and hurt and the parts that feel dark. And by doing this, they can heal and move on in life, lighter and free from these chains. On a deeper level this is the power of dance: To move people, to heal people, to grow us all.
It was devastating to watch this young spiritual couple suffer through the elimination. Both wanting it to be the other…True love is a beautiful thing. I have no eloquent way of expressing it. It was devastating to watch. We’ve never had a couple compete against each other. Ty Murray and Jewel would have competed against each other, but Jewel got hurt and couldn’t compete that season. It’s not a great idea to compete against your spouse. That was real pain we saw. Carlos was devastated for Alexa. And seeing them embrace for the full commercial break before the elimination was heart wrenching for all of us.
Alexa is a strong woman—and probably a bit stronger now after having gone through the experience of DWTS. She’s fearless, and she’s got this primal energy that she is able to tap into when she needs it. She’s a talented actress who has inspired us all. I can’t wait to see her new projects! She was the first contestant this season to get a perfect score, and she went out with a perfect score last night as well. There’s no shame in that. And I think everyone wishes her the best. But let’s not forget, we will see her in a few weeks, at the finale. I can’t wait!
Another standout moment for me last night was Nick Carter’s Quickstep. He and Sharna blew the roof off the joint with their incredibly enjoyable and beautifully performed piece. The Backstreet Boys were in the house to cheer him on and we could all feel the love. I just wish they had stayed in hold. :) Len Goodman would have been very upset with him for breaking hold in the middle of the dance. It’s another one of those rules we have for Tango and Quickstep. But he was fantastic again and the breakthrough he had last week was no fluke. He worked hard and hopefully it’s nothing but up from here!
And let’s not forget Bindi Irwin. She is maturing before our eyes. That arch dive into Derek Hough‘s arms was really daring. She dares to do pretty much anything! And it’s exciting to watch. I have to say that I’ve never seen a season with more consistent growth from so many of our performers. They are all growing and all developing new facets in their performances. Carlos and Alek Skarlatos are included too. While it wasn’t their best night, they still should be applauded for how far they’ve both come. Carlos was a baby firecracker when he started… Now he’s a fireball! Alex was a shy non-performer. And now he’s living it up on the dance floor like there’s no tomorrow! It’s wonderful to see all this growth. The competition is tight this year, there’s passion and determination in all our remaining competitors’ hearts. I look forward to the semi finals next week.
Fashion credits
Dress: Jovani
Jewelry: XIV Karats
Shoes: Casadei
