These early days (in the first few weeks of Dancing with the Stars), the celebrities/stars are getting used to this concept of dancing, and rehearsal, and perhaps characterization. Latin Night is specifically to get them used to bumping and grinding their partners in the dance assigned. Some, who aren't used to characterization (or portraying someone else in the dance than who you are in real life) have problems with this. Nikki Bella, for example, really struggled with it.
After one rehearsal, she says to Artem, “You’re like a nice Russian.”
To my eyes, though, he didn't quite succeed, and their samba felt awkward. (Though she looks fabulous.) They did dance to the popular “Despacido” song.
Len didn't like “all the gyrating” at the beginning, although he thought the rest had “quite a bit of samba content.” Bruno thought “the timing was a little bit off, but the look was on.” Carrie Ann noted that “samba is one of the most difficult dances to learn.”
JUDGES’ SCORES: 18 (out of 30)
For some reason, they decided to have the stars hit a piñata after their scores. Tom Bergeron: “You know, I hosted AFV (America‘s Funniest Videos) for 15 years. Nothing good comes out of hitting a piñata.”
Our heartthrob Val has a different challenge with Victoria, the one who spent many years unable to move. As he tries to teach her about characterization... “What does a heartbreaker look like to you?” Victoria: “I don’t know.”
As they stand very close, she is laughing. Val: “I don’t know why you’re laughing. You know how many women would love to be in this position? ... and men.” (true dat) She laughs more.
So, they attempt this rumba, this “dance of love” as Val calls it in the package, she, the woman who probably hasn’t experienced much love (if she doesn‘t know what a heartbreaker is) and he, whom men and women all over the country wish they could be near.
And, they have Val’s stunning choreography, and Victoria does much better with characterization than she even did in their tango the day before. Just beautiful.
Bruno thought it ”lost a bit of hip action.” Carrie Ann called it “really authentic.” As Carrie Ann notes how happy she was that Victoria finally “showed her legs,” Val mentions that it’s Victoria’s birthday. Len says that there was “very little recognizable rumba” in the dance. Val mentions that “times have changed.” Len was not having it.
They go up the stairs to the skybox, and they have a cake and a pink crown (pink being her color) for Victoria. They start singing Happy Birthday to her, and Jenna Johnson has wheeled out a table with a huge bouquet of flowers (pink, of course) on it. Erin has Victoria read the card. It’s from Taylor Swift, thanking Victoria for dancing to her song (last night). A special, and amazing, moment.
JUDGES’ SCORES: 20 (out of 30)
Sharna, at least, knows enough to pack her paso doble with plenty of paso content, to say nothing of the fine flamenco outfits. Really fantastic dance.
Bruno thought he “got so into the character, he lost the artistry.” And that he needs ”more joosh.”
JUDGES’ SCORES: 19 (out of 30)
Sasha and Gleb samba against the backdrop of fat-shaming bullying (even though this isn’t Most Memorable Week—when you normally do this kind of stuff). So, they have a lame storyline about prom king and queen, danced to Halle Steinfeld’s “Most Girls.” Sasha wins the crown, and promptly throws it away (supposedly a win for feminism). Which doesn’t make sense at all in the context of the song, or in the context of real life. Winning a crown is a good thing, even for a feminist.
Len’s happy because “there was plenty of samba content in there.” Carrie Ann says that “the best part of being on the show is watching someone like you blossom into yourself.”
JUDGES’ SCORES: 22 (out of 30)
It’s a bit awkward when one married couple on the show is dancing with another married couple. Especially when they are dancing sexy songs. This is actually an Argentine tango, but boy was it steamy! Great choreography and concept by Peta, of course. (Former Mirror Ball champions don’t forget what it took to get there.)
That foot thing (don’t know what it’s called) that is notable in the Argentine tango was really well done by Nick.
And the judges pound home the characterization concept here too.
Carrie Ann said that “you don’t have to grind it out on the floor.” (HUH?) And, importantly, “the lifts were appropriate.” Len, who’s been bashing everyone all night, starts out with “Nick, I’m a kind guy...” and I’m already worried. Len said he thought “the steps were there,” but “it’s about a guy, trying to get a girl” and “that was lacking.”
JUDGES’ SCORES: 19 (out of 30)
Jordan and Lindsay do a samba, even though Lindsay says she normally doesn’t attempt a samba, because it’s one of the hardest dances. The dance seems like it’s packed with samba content, including samba rolls (my favorite!).
Carrie Ann calls them “an amazing partnership. There’s a vibrancy and a youth and an energy to you that makes me hungry.” Len remarks that Jordan’s Cuban heels are giving him a “peculiar leg action.” Bruno commends Jordan for doing “a totally recognizable samba, but you put your own individual style to it. Top notch.”
JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)
On Property Brothers, they always say that the two twins “look so much alike.” I’ve never seen that. I’ve always thought Jonathan was so much sexier than Drew. So when Drew rips his shirt open (after a spray-tan session) and asks America if we “are ready for this?”... well, I had to look away.
Well, Drew must’ve pulled out some of that Scott chemistry, cause here he is doing a great rumba with sexy Emma Slater. Some questionable camerawork notwithstanding, it was pretty darn sexy. And he goes to kiss his fiancée at the end.
Len calls it “his best dance ever.” Bruno says, “you got it together, darling.” As Carrie Ann is commenting about how Drew didn’t have much of a dance background, which causes both Emma and Drew to laugh, Bruno falls off his chair. Then Carrie Ann says that Drew “is still learning his body.”
JUDGES’ SCORES: 21 (out of 30)
Debbie Gibson and Alan just do nothing for me. So here’s their Argentine tango.
The best part for me about this dance is that both Jenna and Sasha Farber are in the troupe/background. I do like seeing Alan dance. I just wish it was Sasha as the pro up there... *sigh*
JUDGES’ SCORES: 21 (out of 30)
Interestingly, Maks and Vanessa, the other set of the married couple, do not do a rumba. They opt for a mostly fully clothed samba.
(Oh yay! Sasha’s in this one too...)
This is supposed to portray Vanessa’s early going-out days in NYC with her girlfriends. Pretty hot.
Carrie Ann said they “were so in sync together.” Len says that Vanessa “is 100% a contender for this show.” Bruno said that she “outshone Maks.” Love the little butt pinches between Maks and Tom.
JUDGES’ SCORES: 23 (out of 30)
Ah. Swoon. A little salsa bumper with Sasha Farber (far left) and Jenna Johnson (far right) and the rest of the troupe. Wonderful.
Then Cheryl Burke and Terrell show us how hot it’s getting in here with their samba. More awkward camera mistakes. Nice dance, though.
Oh yes, we missed you, Cheryl Burke.
JUDGES’ SCORES: 19 (out of 30)
The hip-swiveling and constant shaking of salsa is often unfamiliar to people, and hard to get accustomed to. I have a massive butt, and when it shakes you know it. Lindsay Sterling has no butt, so they had to add massive frou-frou behind her. But it was a great salsa and Mark Ballas had his super cool sparkly shoes which gave off a special light as he was dancing.
Mostly, it’s just great to see Mark Ballas back again. We missed him so.
Bruno: “It left me breathless. Well done.” Carrie Ann: “You ARE the music. You got it all going on.” Len: “There was no larking about. Straight into the routine. No messing, no stressing, full on, flat-out fabulous.”
JUDGES’ SCORES: 24 (out of 30)
I think there is a producing/directing contingent that really loves Witney and Frankie, cause they save the best dancers for last, usually. Their package shows the lengths to which Frankie goes for this competition: Yoga, freezing therapy, working out. He really really really wants this. (Course, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll win.)
For me, a dance always starts out good if Sasha Farber is in it. But this is also a good dance overall. Although for me personally, I don't really like Witney's regular choice of music (rap). This was a James Brown-ish rap thing, but still...
Len then does something he doesn't usually do. He commended all of the contestants for how difficult it was to do two dances on the second week. He stands in honor of that. (Pretty big deal, actually.) Tom Bergeron adds how great “the whole production team” was. Bruno talks about how great the choreography was. Bruno gives them the first 9 of the season.
JUDGES’ SCORES: 25 (out of 30)
Miche’s Favorites of Week 2, Night 2, Latin Night
1. Lindsay and Jordan (samba)
2. Mark and Lindsay (salsa)
3. Maks and Vanessa (salsa)
4. Witney and Frankie (cha cha)
5. Peta and Nick (Argentine tango)
6. Emma and Drew (rumba)
Going home?
Ready for You to Go Home
1. Nikki Bella
2. Terrell
3. Sasha (and Gleb)
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