Stars reflect on most memorable years in emotion-filled night of 'Dancing with the Stars'
LOS ANGELES -- It's a memorable night of routines as the eleven remaining couples on "Dancing with the Stars" perform in tribute to each celebrity's most memorable year. Historically, this has been one of the more emotional rounds, and season 22 did not disappoint.
Here's a dance-by-dance recap, from highest score to lowest:
Nyle DiMarco- 25 out of 30
Nyle takes us back to 2012 for his most memorable year. He reveals that since he grew up in a deaf household, and went to deaf schools, he may have been a little sheltered from the world. But this guy is pretty fearless and in 2012 he took off and traveled the world without an interpreter! He believes that adventure put him on the path he is in today. Peta Murgatroyd put all his passion into a sharp tango. Head Judge Len Goodman told Nyle he's proof that anyone can do anything if they really want to do it; Bruno Tonioli called the dance a passionate, whiplash inducing ride of a tango; and Carrie Ann Inaba told Nyle he was brilliant and better than Superman!
Wanya Morris- 24 out of 30
It was 1996 when Wanya and his fellow "Boyz II Men" performed the National Anthem at the Olympics in Atlanta. 20 years later, he wants to recreate that life-changing moment. The group recorded a version of the song, and Witney Carson choreographed a flowing but challenging waltz to the tune. Bruno called it grand, majestic and sweeping; Carrie Ann thought Wanya's musicality flowed through, and Len told Wanya he was a big fan and to keep up the good work.
Jodie Sweetin- 23 out of 30
Jodie shared that 2015 was her memorable year because it's the year her life came full circle with "Fuller House." When the original sitcom was cancelled when Jodie was 13 years old, she was a little girl lost. Like many people in show business, she turned to alcohol and drugs to numb the pain and emptiness. She's proud to say she's been sober for five years and realizes the light she once had as a child has returned. Keo embraced the theme of darkness into light for their foxtrot and the judges are pleased. Bruno called it their best dance to date; Carrie Ann thanked Jodie for sharing her story and turning it into something gorgeous; and Len thought they held the emotion throughout the dance and called it wonderful.
Paige VanZant- 23 out of 30
Mark Ballas is off the injured list and was able to perform with Paige. He enlisted fill-in Alan to help during the week so he could rehab his back while choreographing a could-only-be-done-by-Ballas dance! He utilized Paige's background as a UFC fighter and took the Paso doble into the ring. Her fighting career also served as inspiration for Paige's most memorable year. It was 2014 and she turned to the UFC because she had been bullied at school. Paige won her very first fight and never looked back. Bruno and Carrie Ann loved Mark's inventiveness, with Bruno called Paige "Wonder Woman" and Carrie Ann calling the routine "badass." Len was the wet blanket on this one - he didn't think the dance looked enough like a Paso doble.
Kim Fields- 22 out of 30
Kim looked back to 1976 when she booked her very first audition: a commercial opposite a talking Mrs. Butterworths maple syrup bottle. She says that launched everything, including the role we all remember her for - Tootie from "The Facts of Life." Sasha Farber choreographed a foxtrot to the show's theme song. The judges, and the audience, were pleased. Carrie Ann is amazed Kim looks exactly the same, and praised the duo for being able to dance like "wonder twins;" Bruno called it a proper dance with lots of content; and Len loved that there was no "messing about." And in what has to be a DWTS first, he likened the dance to maple syrup, calling it "smooth and tasty."
Ginger Zee- 21 out of 30
The year 2013 was the year everything changed for meteorologist Ginger Zee. The focused career-woman met Ben Aaron, the man who she would later marry, and without whom she wouldn't have the light of her life, her baby boy. She and Val Chmerkovskiy danced a contemporary routine to American Idol's Phillip Phillips' "Home," a song with deep sentimental ties to Ginger and Ben's life. She sees this routine as the time her career and personal life perfectly come together. For the second week, the couple earned triple scores of seven from the judges, with Bruno saying the dance told a clear emotional and believable story.
Marla Maples- 21 out of 30
The year 1993 changed Marla's life forever - it's the year her daughter Tiffany was born. Her marriage to the Donald only lasted about seven years, but Marla says she saw being a single mom as a welcome challenge. She says it inspired her to push herself and do things you never imagined - like DWTS. Tony Dovolani puts together a fast and peppy jive to Pharrell Williams' "Happy" and that's just how the judges felt at the end.
PHOTOS: Check out these exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of week three's rehearsal"
Doug Flutie- 20 out of 30
Doug wanted to pay tribute to his parents, who he believes had a love story for the ages. They were married almost 60 years. His father died in 2015 after a long illness. Almost unbelievably, his mother died later the same day. The doctors call it "dying of a broken heart." Karina Smirnoff choreographed a lovely waltz, a dance that was a metaphor for his parent's souls coming together. Bruno appreciated the shift Doug was able to make from last week's aggressive Paso doble; Len felt the dance showed how two people can dance as one; and a tear-filled Carrie Ann told Doug this is how his parents live on - with an emotional dance like this one.
Von Miller- 20 out of 30
This dance offered one of the biggest revelations of the night: The Super Bowl MVP's go-to song for getting focused and calm before a big game is Phil Collins' "In the Air." Who knew? Witney puts together a powerful but graceful contemporary routine. And since they are barefoot, there's a real challenge with their height difference! The contemporary means lifts are welcome and they do those effortlessly. Len complimented the fact Von gives 100 percent with no holding back; Bruno drooled a bit over the shirtless muscle man's body; and Carrie Ann was the one to say she wants him to give just a little bit more.
Antonio Brown- 20 out of 30
The scene-stealer from this routine wasn't the football great but his mini-me, Antonio Jr. Sharna Burgess incorporated him very naturally into their foxtrot routine. The song was Lukas Graham's current hit "Seven Years," so it played perfectly with the father and son on the dance floor. Antonio says he didn't have a hands-on dad growing up, so being there for his own kids is the most important thing for him. He says football will come and go, but family is forever. The judge's scores were close but reactions were varied: Carrie Ann thought she saw improvement and refinement; however, Len said he didn't see enough change (cue boo's from the audience!), and while the dance was competent, he wants more.
Mischa Barton - 18 out of 30
Mischa's backstage sniping with her partner Artem after last week's episode was a little uncomfortable to watch. Some reflection had the actress realizing they need to work on their communication and connection, and rehearsals seem to go a little better. Mischa said she wanted to show that she wants to be in the ballroom, and that she really does care. The judges all appreciated the shift in attitude, with Carrie Ann calling the samba her breakthrough dance.
SPOILER ALERT
The final minute of the show brings out the dreaded "who's in jeopardy" list: Doug and Karina, Jodie and Keo and Mischa and Artem.
It was Mischa's time to go home.
Ten couples return next week for a Disney-themed night with guest judge, and former contestant, Zendaya.
