This week on "Dancing with the Stars" season 35, viewers were treated to a night of 1980s yacht rock, marked by unexpected turns and a surprising departure. Olympic figure skater Amber Glenn, despite a mid-rehearsal injury involving her partner, rose to the occasion, tying for the top score with "Glee" and "Grey's Anatomy" actor Harry Shum Jr. However, the evening concluded with a shock elimination that saw musician Taylor Hanson and his professional partner Britt Stewart exit the competition.
The third week of the dance competition proved to be a whirlwind of emotions and performances. Taylor Hanson, the lead singer of Hanson, found himself and his partner Britt Stewart in a precarious position, ultimately leading to their elimination. This came as a surprise to many, especially after last week's unexpected exit of celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis. Hanson and Stewart had delivered a foxtrot to The Doobie Brothers' "What a Fool Believes," a song with personal significance to Hanson, who had performed it before with his brothers in front of the legendary band during their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Despite his best efforts to impress the judges, garnering a season-high score of three sixes, it wasn't enough to secure their spot, leaving a visible look of disappointment on Stewart's face as Hanson expressed his gratitude for the experience.
Meanwhile, Olympian Amber Glenn and her partner Pasha Pashkov delivered a captivating Foxtrot to Toto's "Hold the Line," earning rave reviews from the judges. Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli lauded their performance, with Hough declaring, "And the ice queen does it again!" The duo achieved perfect eights, the highest scores of the season so far. However, their journey to this stellar performance wasn't without drama. Behind-the-scenes footage revealed a tense moment during rehearsals where Glenn accidentally struck Pashkov in the nose with her elbow, causing a bloody injury and leaving Glenn in tears. Despite this setback, their resilience shone through on the dance floor.
Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson also shared the spotlight, tying for the top score with Glenn and Pashkov. Their energetic jive to Hall & Oates' "You Make My Dreams Come True" was hailed as theatrical and powerful, earning them three eights from the judges. Other notable performances included Julia Stiles and Ezra Sosa's salsa, which saw Stiles finally embracing the fun of the dance, and Tatyana Ali and Jan Ravnik's quickstep, praised for its aggressive tone and footwork. Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong showcased a cha-cha, while Jackson Olson and Emma Slater brought a raw energy to their pasodoble. Connor Wood and Rylee Arnold performed a foxtrot, as did Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy with a high-energy samba. Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess danced a jive, and Paralympian Ezra French and Daniella Karagach closed the night with a praised foxtrot, earning straight sevens.
The latest installment of "Dancing with the Stars" offered a mix of triumph and unexpected departures, showcasing the diverse talents and emotional journeys of its celebrity contestants. From a surprising injury that didn't deter an Olympic athlete to a beloved musician's premature exit, the competition continues to captivate its audience with its blend of dazzling performances and dramatic twists.
