“Dancing With the Stars” celebrated a significant milestone on November 12, airing its impressive 500th episode, and announced the contestants who would advance to the semi-finals of Season 33. The episode kicked off with a lively opening number of “Crazy in Love,” featuring returning favorite Sharna Burgess and a host of former competitors, including Adam Rippon, Ginger Zee, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Alyson Hannigan, AJ McLean, and Simone Biles.
The remaining six pairs took to the floor, performing routines that paid homage to beloved performances from previous seasons. Last week concluded with a tie between Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, and Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, both achieving 32 points, as they geared up to secure the top spot this week.
Joey and Jenna dazzled the judges with a contemporary routine inspired by Riker Lynch and Allison Holker’s iconic Season 20 performance. Judges had mixed feedback, with Carrie Ann Inaba noting a lack of raw emotion, while Derek Hough disagreed and elevated their score from a 9 to a 10.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong delivered a stellar Argentine Tango tribute to Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler’s memorable Season 16 routine. Derek was particularly impressed, stating he preferred their rendition over his own, earning them a flawless score of 30—the first of the season.
In contrast, Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach’s Argentine Tango, which honored James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess’s Season 23 performance, fell short of expectations for Carrie Ann, who rated them an 8 and mentioned she missed the version of Dwight seen earlier in the season.
Meanwhile, Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten, who had previously struggled during Halloween week, showcased a remarkable turnaround with a Quickstep inspired by Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold’s Season 25 routine, earning them a perfect 10 from Carrie Ann.
After showcasing their individual dances, the couples faced an exciting challenge: they had just five minutes to learn a new dance style and song before performing live. While all teams presented commendable performances, only Chandler and Brandon once again received a perfect score of 30 for this unexpected challenge.
Following the audience votes, Dwight and Daniella were ultimately eliminated from the competition.
This episode not only celebrates the show’s legacy but also highlights the spirit of competition and the continuous growth of the contestants. As Season 33 marches toward its conclusion, viewers can look forward to even more exhilarating performances and heartwarming moments in the weeks to come.