Dancing with the Stars is taking a walk down memory lane — but for many, it was emotional recollection of past life events.
Co-hosts Julianne Hough and Alfonso Ribeiro kicked off Tuesday evening by introducing the night’s theme of Most Memorable Year before welcoming the stars to the dance floor. They also announced there would be a touching tribute to late head judge Len Goodman later in the night.
Then, they wasted no time getting into the dances.
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Mira Sorvino and Gleb Savchenko
Actress Mira Sorvino said she was “super happy because we’re trending upwards” after last week’s dance. “That’s what we want,” she told pro partner Gleb Savchenko, “to keep getting better and better.”
For her most memorable year, Mira selected 2004 because it was the year she had her daughter Mattea with husband Christopher Backus. “Being a mother is my greatest, most cherished role,” she said. “My family is my joy, they are my everything.”
As it turns out Mattea also dances, so Mira and Gleb invited her into rehearsals — and into their contemporary routine to “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper as a special guest for this week.
“It’s a perfect time to make a three-person dance,” Mira said before hitting the ballroom floor. “This song already means so much to me and now I get to create this incredible memory with my daughter Mattea, so its just a full circle moment for me and I’m gonna give it my heart.”
Afterwards, judge Derek Hough said the dance was “joyful to watch,” calling it “a great way to start.”
Bruno Tonioli said he “loved the mirror image” of Mira and her daughter, and added, “It had a wonderful, uplifting feeling,” but suggested Mira “connect the core” when she does backbends.
Carrie Ann Inaba praised the “iconic dance” and noted how “heartfelt” the routine was. “You were lighter, you were freer, and I felt that smile from you.”
Score: 22/30
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
After receiving a 9 last week, Ariana Madix celebrated her success, saying it “feels like my hard work is paying off and I’m getting closer to reaching my fullest potential.”
For her most memorable year, the Vanderpump Rules star chose 2023 because it was the time she “caught my ex having an affair.”
“My boyfriend of nine years and one of my best gal friends betrayed me in ways that went so far beyond just cheating together that is so hard for me to even explain,” Ariana said of VPR‘s Tom Sandoval and Rachel “Raquel” Leviss, who she said started their affair “while I was at my grandma’s funeral.”
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After the fallout of the affair, Ariana said she struggled with her mental health. “Watching my entire life implode in public, my anxiety and depression were at an all-time high, I wasn’t eating or sleeping.”
However, she eventually found the silver lining in the traumatic heartbreak. “When something is really hard, I can get through it,” she declared, before revealing she would be dancing a Viennese waltz to “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eillish. “It feels so amazing to know I will be dancing to the song… because when I think back to crying in the car, I certainly never thought that this is where I’d end up.”
After her dance, Bruno called it a “power waltz with a message.” Simply stated, he added that “at the end, you win.”
Carrie Ann commended Ariana for “how much of a fighter you are” and said she “felt” the emotion in her routine. She also noted she was “missing that driving tempo” and had a “few little skips.”
Derek said he agreed with Carrie Ann but called Ariana a “beautiful actress” and said it was a “beautiful dance.”
Score: 24/30
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Charity Lawson was bummed to receive the same scores on Disney Week that she did the week prior but set her sights on improvement this time around.
For her most memorable year, Charity selected 2022 because “there was so much happening in life.” She was graduating grad school and started her journey on The Bachelor and later as the leading lady of The Bachelorette.
“Before that, I left a really toxic relationship,” she explained. “There was a lot of infidelity and I kept over-extending myself to make things work… being in the trenches so lost and not knowing how to get out, I wasn’t really proud of who I was.”
“It took me going through that unfortunately to become the version of who I am today,” she added, noting that she’s “happily engaged” to her Bachelorette winner Dotun Olubeko. “Sometimes you need to go through the worst things in life to get to the best place and this dance needs to show that painful journey.”
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After dancing a contemporary to “Lose Me to Love You” by Selena Gomez, the judges were wowed by Charity. Carrie Ann declared her dance as the one “everyone will remember about this season.” She commended her for how she “brought it up,” and called it a “powerful performance.”
Derek praised Charity for using the prop in her routine and said she dances with “such strength and bravery.” “You took the breath away in this room and it was superb,” he added.
Bruno celebrated Charity for “being yourself and rejoicing in who you are” after the challenges she overcame.
Speaking to Julianne afterwards, Charity broke down in tears as she revealed, “It took a lot for me to get here… just left it all out there.” Her efforts were clear to the judges as her emotional dance ultimately earned them the first 10 of the season from Carrie Ann.
Score: 28/30
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Alyson Hannigan reflected on her progress so far, noting that she’s “trying to improve every week but it doesn’t come naturally.”
For her most memorable year, Alyson chose the year 2003 — when she married her husband Alexis Denisof. “We met working and there was an instant chemistry,” she told cameras, later telling pro partner Sasha Farber, “Before I met my husband. I didn’t understand what actual love was… it’s just the greatest relationship I’ve ever had.”
To make their love story sweeter, Alexis came into rehearsals with a bouquet of roses after the two celebrated their anniversary. “She’s putting her body on the line every day and I am so proud of how she’s taken this on,” he told cameras.
Added Alyson: “Without his support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
After dancing a Viennese waltz to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran, the judges praised Alyson’s improvement. Derek noted he felt the “love” in Alyson’s dance and it was “such a difference from last week.”
Bruno commended her and reminded the actress she is capable of anything she puts her mind to. “You were more elegant, more fluent… it was better!” he added.
Carrie Ann said she “loved the beginning,” especially because she was looking at her husband in the audience and urged Alyson to use their criticism as inspiration and drive. “Everyone loves you because you work so hard and it shows every time you come out on this dance floor,” she said.
Score: 21/30
Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold
After a successful Disney week performance, Harry celebrated his success with pro Rylee Arnold and looked forward to this week’s challenge.
For Harry’s most memorable year, he selected 2020 — the year Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle came out. While the show was a big hit on the streamer, it proved to be daunting for Harry’s newfound fame.
“I went crazy, I was drinking, I was partying, I didn’t really care about my actions,” he said, noting that people on the internet eventually began to attack him and his loved ones. “The hardest thing was people telling my mom and friends to die.”
In his toughest moments, Harry found comfort and support in his friends. “I’m very lucky I had beautiful friends around me [to lift me up],” he said.
Rylee said they hoped this week’s dance would reflect how Harry overcame depression. “I’m trying to keep Harry up which is exactly what his friends did in his hard time,” she explained of their contemporary routine to “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer.
After the dance, Bruno praised Harry as an “incredible lifter” and said the routine was “very very good.” However, he pointed out that Harry needs to “link” his movements more “smoothly” and to avoid being “stiff.”
Carrie Ann felt Harry took “a little bit of a step backwards from last week,” and pointed out that he’s a stronger dancer when he’s in contact with Rylee versus standing alone.
Derek called Harry a “fantastic partner to Rylee” and suggested he work on “the in-between moments,” like the finesse and musicality.
After his dance, Harry said the dancing mental aspect is most challenging. “This is so far out of my comfort zone… it’s scary, it’s so scary.”
Score: 18/30
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Len Goodman Tribute
Midway through the show, OG pros Maks Chmerkovskiy, Kym Johnson-Herjavec, Tony Dovolani, Karina Smirnoff, Anna Trebunskaya, Edyta Śliwińska, Louis van Amstel and Mark Ballas returned to the DWTS ballroom to honor late head judge Len Goodman. They were also joined by judge Derek Hough and co-host Julianne Hough.
Len died at age 78 in April 2023, four months after announcing his retirement from the ABC dance competition.
Dancing with the Stars’ Former Pros Return to Ballroom for Emotional Tribute to Late Judge Len Goodman
The emotional mid-show segment began with a pre-recorded package with all the pros, where they spoke about their most beloved memories of Goodman. They also spoke about Goodman’s life off-camera, which fans didn’t get a chance to see, including the moments they spent together and how he adored his family and wife.
“One of the things I’m most thankful for is being able to judge alongside Len,” Derek said through his tears. “I was able to spend a little more extra time with him and for that, I’m really thankful.”
Tipping their hat to Goodman one last time, the pros then performed a number — choreographed by Jenna Johnson and Val Chmerkovskiy — to Henry Mancini’s classic, “Moon River,” a song and dance style they said Goodman loved.
The performance finished with a spotlight on Len’s former chair at the judges’ desk as the crowd rose to their feet and applauded, and the rest of the pros and judges broke down in tears.
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Looking back on last week, Jason said he was proud to have “survived my first ballroom [dance],” but “we slightly dropped on the leaderboard, and I felt we could’ve done better.”
Vowing to do just that, the singer-musician opened up about his most memorable year: 1999.
Living in Farmville, Virginia, and working as a janitor at elementary school, Jason said, “I had a feeling I had to pursuit my dreams of music in California, so I hit the road.”
While driving west, Jason said Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” came on the radio. “It really spoke to me,” he recalled. “I started crying my heart out, I put that song on repeat… started visualizing my life on the road as a musician.”
Though he worried about nailing the technicalities of the dance, including maintaining his frame, Jason vowed to nail the routine this week. “This song sent me in an upward direction in life so I hope it’s gonna send me up the leaderboard too,” he said.
Following their quick step, Carrie Ann commended their “beautiful” partnership and simply stated, “Technically, you are superior in this competition.”
Derek praised him for “taking a chance” on the musicality of the quick step, and noted that “seeing that growth in just six days” is remarkable.
Bruno echoed those words and called the routine “effortless” and “smooth.” “It has so much content, well done,” he added.
Score: 27/30
Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong
Lele was thrilled about her progress last week, and focused her efforts on this week’s most memorable year.
For the YouTuber, who said she lives with severe OCD and Tourette’s, that year was 2020 when she released a docuseries about mental health.
“I was in a very low moment of my life,” she said, noting how the docuseries ultimately inspired younger girls to speak up and prioritize their mental health. “Talking about mental health can actually save a life.”
Lele also reflected on the commentary she received online, including a comment that she would never get married. However, Lele did find her forever in husband Guaynaa — and he even made a special appearance in rehearsals, and at the live show on Tuesday.
“I want to show the world how dark my life has been and thanks to Guaynaa how much light he has brought to me,” Lele said. “He lifts me when I’m at my darkest, lowest points.”
She and Brandon then danced a contemporary routine to “I’ll Stand By You” by The Pretenders. Derek kicked off the judges’ feedback by commending Lele for “progressing every single week.” He also called it a “beautiful tribute to your husband.”
Bruno said, “What I’ve seen you is at your most real… sometimes, speaking the truth matters and it worked.”
Carrie Ann called the routine Lele’s “best dance” and said the judges and audience were all “moving with you.” She added, “It’s magic.”
Score: 24/30
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Marvel star Xochitl Gomez topped the leaderboard last week and received the highest score of the season last week, so she was thrilled by the results. “We did a little bit better than I expected,” she said.
Xochitl’s most memorable year was 2021 after she said she booked a role in Marvel’s Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. “My life changed a lot,” she said.
However, that meant Xochitl didn’t get to have her quinceañera — something that left her “bummed.” The actress hoped Tuesday’s Viennese waltz to “Until I Found You” would be the moment she had been hoping for to dance to that song.
“I was bummed I didn’t get to do it at my quinceañera but I get to do it tonight so hopefully I do it justice,” she said.
After taking the ballroom floor, Bruno called Xochitl a “glittering whirlwind” and said the routine “was so beautiful, so dynamic and so controlled.”
Carrie Ann echoed her fellow judge’s feedback, saying the dance was “seamless,” though she pointed out a “wobble” in the routine. “You are beautiful to watch and I love watching you,” she added.
Derek refuted Carrie Ann, saying he didn’t see any “wobble,” before commending Xochitl’s “youthful charm” and “maturity movement” as “perfection.”
Xochitl then received her first 10, tying the top of the leaderboard with Charity.
Score: 28/30
Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater
Real estate mogul Mauricio Umansky felt “the score didn’t match the feedback” after last week’s performance but vowed to do better.
This week, he said 1996 was his most memorable year, calling it “a year of change.” As Mauricio explained, he had gotten married to Kyle Richards and they had two daughters, with “the four of us living in a two-bedroom condo.”
However, things took a turn when Mauricio was fired from his job and he was no longer able to provide for his family. “I felt like an absolute failure of a human,” he said, noting that Kyle had to clip coupons for them to survive and eat. “It was an extraordinarily emotional moment in my life.”
Kyle ultimately encouraged him to get into real estate, where Mauricio said they “rose up” and got back on their feet. Looking back on the challenges he overcame, Mauricio said it served as “motivation to never be in a position where I can never put food on my table again.”
After his contemporary dance to “Rise Up” by Andra Day, Carrie Ann commended Mauricio for his “beautiful” routine. Derek celebrated the real estate agent for “becoming a freaking dancer” as he praised him for overcoming obstacles each week.
Bruno was also impressed with the dance, noting that Mauricio “gave it all you’ve got,” and called it his “best dance yet.”
Score: 24/30
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Barry Williams and Peta Murgatroyd
Looking back on his missteps last week, Barry Williams said, “I was hoping for kind of a breakout dance last week but it didn’t really happen… I’m ready to kick it up this week.”
With a Paso Doble for his dance this week, Barry said he chose 1968 as his most memorable year — the “year before everything changed in my young life.”
“I was living a pretty active, athletic life,” he said, noting that he often rode motorcycles. “I felt young and wild.”
Then, Barry booked The Brady Bunch and life changed. “My life changed immediately simply because of the demands of being on a full-time show,” he said.
To commemorate that time in his life, Barry said he wanted to dance to “my anthem in 1968, ‘Born to Be Wild,’ because it gets my motor running.”
Derek was on his feet, calling the routine “the most beautiful redemption dance ever.” He added that “Len would’ve loved that dance because there was no rift-raft… it was clean, filled with content.”
Bruno adored the dance, commending Barry’s confidence and for “doing it with no mistakes.” Carrie Ann added it “made my heart so happy to dance to the level that you knew you could do it.”
With his scores, Barry earned his first 8’s of the season, calling his execution “very satisfying.”
Score: 24/30
Results
After the emotional evening filled with tribute dances, Alfonso and Julianne revealed the safe couples. Ariana and Pasha, Barry and Peta, Lele and Brandon, Mauricio and Emma, Xochitl and Val, Charity and Artem, and Jason and Daniella earned the spots for next week.
This left Alyson and Sasha, Harry and Rylee and Mira and Gleb as the last three standing, though they weren’t necessarily the bottom three.
Mira and Gleb ultimately got eliminated, which left Mira visibly stunned and emotional. “It’s been incredible it’s been lots of dreams come true and I’m very grateful,” she said through her tears.
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Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+.
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