“Disney Night” causes a stir on “Dancing with the Stars”

Dancing with the Stars is back for its fifth week. The competition continues, with only eight couples remaining after this week's elimination. The fifth week brought relatively low results in the ballroom and team dances during Disney Night.

The episode began with an explosive number as the professional dancers performed to “Friend Like Me” from “Aladdin.” The dancers shined during popular choreographer Mandy Moore's dance. The number also featured Broadway actor Michael James Scott, who plays Genie in “Aladdin” on Broadway.

After an exciting start, the stars competed against each other with their partners and then competed against each other in the team dances. “Disney Night” featured songs and themes from Disney films, with each couple dressing the part.

Gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik opened the evening with a Hercules-themed dance to “A Star is Born.” Nedoroscik and his partner Rylee Arnold showed a well-executed Charleston and expected high scores after last week's breakthrough. The pair ended up with three eights from the judges and were given notes for not getting ahead of the music.

Nedoroscik started strong, but as the night progressed, three other couples received the same score of 24 out of 30. “The Bachelorette” star Jenn Tran and partner Sasha Farber also received four eights for their rumba to “Kiss the Girl” from “The Little One.” Mermaid”. .” The judges told Tran it was her best dance of the season, but the couple didn't receive a single nine. The jury scored poorly in this episode and no couple received a ten, even though the season was already well underway.

Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach received a 24 for their upbeat tango to “When Can I See You Again” from “Wreck-It Ralph.” The pair were delighted with the score as it was the best they had achieved so far this season.

Reality TV star Phaedra Parks and partner Val Chmerkovskiy also received a 24 for their jazz to the theme of “Cruella de Vil.” As the judges noted, Parks missed several steps and appeared unsteady this week.

“Zombies 2” standout Chandler Kinney sang a paso doble to her song “We Own the Night” from the second franchise film. Kinney was visited by two of her co-stars as she prepared for the dance, including Season 27 runner-up Milo Manheim.

Kinney and her partner Brandon Armstrong lit up the dance floor, receiving four nines from the judges and once again landing at the top of the leaderboard. Because Kinney had one of the highest scores and highest averages over the five weeks, she was granted immunity for the next week's Dance-Off Challenge.

NFL player Danny Amendola danced with Kinney during “Disney Night” for his “Deadpool & Wolverine”-themed jazz to “Bye Bye Bye.” Amendola and his partner Witney Carson packed their routine full of tricks and earned high praise from the judges. Amendola continues to show momentum every week and has improved tremendously since week one.

“Disney Night” included entertaining dances by the eight couples and also team dances. Viewers were able to see how the two teams were selected. Olympic rugby players Ilona Maher and Howard were chosen as captains because they scored the lowest in the final episode. Howard chose Amendola, Nedoroscik and Parks for his team, “Team Roar.” Maher selected Tran, Kinney and Joey Graziadei for her team, “Team Goofs.”

Team dances brought high stakes; The results of each team dance were added to the couples' final results for the evening. In the lead-up video packages, both teams were seen laughing and enjoying their time together. Team dances are a popular tradition among “DWTS” fans and a great way for stars to shine and work together.

“Team Roar” performed to “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” from “The Lion King.” The stars all performed as if they were competing for the title of king during the dance, which added some entertaining excitement. It featured happy moves and a finishing touch as Howard lifted Nedoroscik over his head. The dance was good, but not quite as difficult as the judges intended, giving the team four eights and finishing with a 24.

Next, “Team Goofs” performed to “I 2 I” from “A Goofy Movie.” The team came out swinging in black and neon green outfits. There were tricks and lifts as Maher lifted Tran over her head, continuing to challenge the usual expectations of a male trick base. The dance was technically demanding, entertaining and very clean. “Team Goofs” received four nines from the jury and ultimately prevailed over “Team Roar”.

After team and individual performances, the elimination began. Unfortunately, Parks and partner Chmerkovskiy were eliminated this week. The two shared how happy they were to be able to work together and thanked their supporters as they left the ballroom.

“Disney Night” has definitely shaken up the competition and the weeks are coming to a close with only seven stars left. Next week, couples will compete in a dance-off portion of the show as they continue to compete for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy. Will the judges finally award a ten next week? And unfortunately, who will look themselves out?

@clara_leder

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