“Dancing With the Stars” Week 3 was Disney Night, which should have been filled with great outfits, joy and ABC-Disney corporate synergy.
Yet, there was something dark on the dance floor Monday night, as the judges took off the gloves rating “Tiger King” star Carole Baskin‘s attempts at dancing. And if you guessed that the animal activist danced to the “The Lion King,” you were not alone.
Of course she did, in a resplendent lion costume that earned judges’ raves. But her samba was mauled in a week that saw Backstreet Boy A.J. McLean show off a new Vin Diesel-style Aladdin and “Bachelor” star Kaitlyn Bristowe grit through her mysterious ankle injury.
Here’s what went down:
Justina Machado’s ‘Mary Poppins’ Charleston wasn’t practically perfect, but good
The “One Day At a Time” star Machado is an emerging “DWTS” star and shot to the top of the leaderboard last week with an exuberant foxtrot. Machado and pro Sasha Farber’s Charleston to “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” from “Mary Poppins” lacked a little of that magic, even as the two took a dive onto the dance floor and popped up, with the famed animated penguins dancing in the background.
Judge Derek Hough called for “more energy” and “sharper” technique with a 6 score. But the beaming Machado, who scored 19 out of 30 for judges’ scores, will be back next week.
A.J. McLean brought out Vin Diesel-domed dancing
McLean was the consummate showman, performing the quickstep to “Prince Ali” from “Aladdin” with pro partner Cheryl Burke with a pizzazz that would get Genie Will Smith’s attention. But the sight that got TV viewers and judges revved up was his newly shaved bald head. McLean took a step away from his usual fashionable hat.
Judge Bruno Tonioli jumped right in, asking if it was really McLean “or Vin Diesel in ‘Aladdin Fast & the Furious.’ ”
Host Tyra Banks asked McLean to name one wish. Surprisingly, all he asked for was an 8 score for the routine. But the judges denied this wish, giving him straight 7s.
Kaitlyn Bristowe did not moan about her injury in ‘Moana’
“The Bachelor” star was all the drama of last week, as Banks breathlessly updated viewers on Bristowe’s mysterious ankle injury. Would she dance or not? She did dance and received the high scores.
Bristowe still hasn’t explained the injury, but danced a rumba to “How Far I’ll Go” from “Moana” in bare feet along with pro Artem Chigvintsev. Apparently, au natural helps the pain. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba called it “the best dance of the night,” said she was “elated” watching and gave it an 8 (total judges’ score 23/30). The best news: Bristowe said actual medical tests showed the damage to her ankle was “tendinitis, shin splints, and a little swollen,” which means we’re hopefully seeing the end to further mentions.
Chrishell Stause was no stumbling Cinderella
The “Selling Sunset” reality show star made an ideal Cinderella all the more storybook in a stunning white ballgown. But Stause admitted to be nervous dancing the waltz to “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” with and pro Gleb Savchenko because she’s klutzy and “pigeon-toed.” She even confessed to a recent trip up the stairs.
Yet, after the final twirl, it was clear she had nailed it, earning a “beautiful” from Inaba, who gave it a 7 (total score 23/30).
Vernon Davis’ smile is starting to bust through
The NFL Super Bowl champ was thrilled to be dancing to “Beauty and the Beast,” thinking he’d surely be the Beast. He didn’t hide his disappointment at being the candlestick alongside pro Peta Murgatroyd, dancing the quickstep to “Be Our Guest.”
But, as “DWTS” requires, Davis owned the frilly yellow candlestick outfit and never stopped smiling.
“Real men play candlesticks,” said Hough, giving a 7 and pointing out the enthusiasm amid some foot fumbles. “You radiate so much joy.” Total score 22/30.
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