“Dancing With the Stars” achieved a significant milestone on November 12 as it celebrated its 500th episode and announced which contestants are advancing to the semifinals in Season 33. The episode opened with an energetic performance of “Crazy in Love,” featuring a cast of returning professional dancers, including fan favorite Sharna Burgess. Several former contestants also graced the ballroom, including Adam Rippon, Ginger Zee, Kaitlyn Bristowe, Alyson Hannigan, AJ McLean, and Simone Biles.
During this week’s showcase, the remaining six couples delivered routines inspired by memorable performances from previous seasons. Following last week’s tie on the leaderboard, where both Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson, as well as Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong, scored 32 points, the competition was fierce.
Joey and Jenna brought to life a contemporary routine that paid homage to Riker Lynch and Allison Holker’s renowned performance from Season 20. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba expressed that their dance “lacked a bit of rawness,” while Derek Hough defended the performance, ultimately awarding them a perfect score of 10.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong performed an Argentine Tango replicating the moves of Derek Hough and Kellie Pickler from Season 16. Their rendition was so impressive that Derek stated he preferred their performance over his own, and all judges agreed, resulting in the first perfect score of 30 this season.
Meanwhile, Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach honored James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess’ Argentine Tango from Season 23 but fell short of expectations. Carrie Ann scored them an 8, noting that she missed Dwight’s earlier performances from the season.
Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten, who previously struggled, made an impressive comeback with a Quickstep, inspired by Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold’s performance from Season 25, earning them a congratulatory 10 from Carrie Ann.
In an engaging twist to the episode, couples faced the ultimate challenge of learning a new dance style and song within five minutes before performing live. While all pairs showcased their talents, only Chandler and Brandon secured a perfect score of 30 for their last-minute performance.
Ultimately, after the audience’s votes were tallied, Dwight and Daniella were sadly eliminated from the competition.
This episode not only celebrated a legacy of memorable performances but also showcased the evolving talent of this season’s contestants, which continues to captivate audiences. The journey of these dancers highlights the resilience and creativity that “Dancing With the Stars” nurtures, fostering a hopeful atmosphere as we head into the anticipated semifinals. With more excitement in store, fans can look forward to seeing how these remaining teams respond to the mounting pressure in the coming weeks.