‘DWTS’ Recap: A Surprising Celebrity Is Sent Home in a Jaw-Dropping Elimination

Image Credit: ABC

There are still 10 couples left competing for the Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy on Dancing with the Stars season 32. The celebrities will be performing dances inspired by a pivotal year that defined who they are. At the end of the night, another couple will be eliminated.

Mira Sorvino and Gleb Savchenko are up first with their contemporary routine to “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper. Mira’s most memorable year is 2004, the year her daughter, Mattea Backus, was born. Mattea joins her mom and Gleb for the sweet performance. “That was just so joyful to watch,” Derek Hough says. Bruno Tonioli says he “loved the mirror image” with Mattea, and Carrie Ann Inaba adds that the performance was “really heartfelt.” Mira and Gleb’s scores: Carrie Ann = 7; Derek = 8; Bruno = 7. Total Score = 22 out of 30. 

Ariana Madix has chosen 2023 as her most memorable year. Despite the Scandoval heartbreak, she’s finally found herself. Ariana and Pasha Pashkov dance a stunning Viennese Waltz to “Happier Than Ever” by Billie Eilish. Bruno raves that the performance was a “power waltz with a message.” Carrie Ann has a few critiques for the overall “great” dance. Derek agrees with Carrie Ann’s critiques, but he does say that Ariana connects to these dances “so beautifully.” Ariana and Pasha’s scores: Carrie Ann = 8; Derek = 8; Bruno = 8. Total Score = 24 out of 30. 

Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev on ‘DWTS.’ (ABC)

Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev come together for an unforgettable contemporary to Selena Gomez’s “Lose You to Love Me.” The dance is inspired by Charity leaving a toxic relationship in 2022. Carrie Ann declares that this “spectacular” performance is what “everybody is gonna remember about this season.” Derek raves that Charity dances with “such strength and such bravery.” He calls the performance “superb.” Charity and Artem’s scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Derek = 9; Bruno = 9. Total Score = 28 out of 30. The first 10 of the season!

Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber dance a beautiful Viennese Waltz to “Perfect” by Ed Sheeran. She dedicates the performance to her husband, Alexis Denisof. Derek reveals that he noticed so much improvement this week in her “beautiful” performance. Bruno says Alyson was “more elegant, more fluid” this week. Carrie Ann makes a point to tell Alyson to not let any critique “defeat” her because she works so hard. Alyson and Sasha’s scores: Carrie Ann = 7; Derek = 7; Bruno = 7. Total Score = 21 out of 30.

Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold tackle a contemporary to “Keep Your Head Up” by Andy Grammer. His most memorable year is 2020, the year he rose to fame on Too Hot to Handle and struggled with fame. Bruno tells Harry that he’s an “incredible lifter,” but he has got to work on being less stiff. Carrie Ann admits that Harry’s “taken a little bit of a step backward” this week and says that he’s most connected to the dance when he’s close to Rylee. Derek notes that Harry was a “fantastic partner” for Rylee when it came to those lifts. Harry and Rylee’s scores: Carrie Ann = 6; Derek = 6; Bruno = 6. Total Score = 18 out of 30.

Harry Jowsey and Rylee Arnold on ‘DWTS.’ (ABC)

Current and former DWTS pros come together for a stunning tribute to Len Goodman set to “Moon River” by Henry Mancini. This dance honors the beloved judge, who died earlier this year, in the best way. By the end of the performance, several pros are in tears. Carrie Ann has to comfort a crying Bruno at the judges’ table.

Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach dazzle with their amazing quickstep to “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson. Carrie Ann points out that Jason and Daniella’s “partnership is just beautiful to watch.” She says that Jason is “superior” in the competition, but she did notice a “wobble” in the performance. Derek calls the performance “really impressive,” and Bruno raves over how much content was included. Jason and Daniella’s scores: Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 9; Bruno = 9. Total Score = 27 out of 30.

Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong bring the emotion with their contemporary to “I Stand By You” by The Pretenders. Their performance is dedicated to Lele’s husband. Derek tells Lele that he’s impressed by how she’s progressing every single week. “That was your best dance,” Carrie Ann says. Lele and Brandon’s scores: Carrie Ann = 8; Derek = 8; Bruno = 8. Total Score = 24 out of 30.

Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy sparkle with their gorgeous Viennese Waltz to “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez. Bruno tells Xochitl that she “swept us all away” with that beautiful performance. Carrie Ann recognizes Xochitl’s talent, but she says she saw a wobble. As for Derek, he didn’t see any wobbles in the routine. He tells Xochitl that the “maturity of movement was perfection.” Xochitl and Val’s scores: Carrie Ann = 9; Derek = 10; Bruno = 9. Total Score = 28 out of 30. It’s their first 10 of the season!

Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy on ‘DWTS.’ (ABC)

Mauricio Umansky and Emma Slater come together for a gorgeous contemporary to “Rise Up” by Andra Day. “That was beautiful,” Carrie Ann tells Mauricio. Derek says he’s “amazed” by Mauricio’s commitment to dancing. “You gave it all you’ve got,” Bruno says to Mauricio, before adding that this was his “best dance yet.” Mauricio and Emma’s scores: Carrie Ann = 8; Derek = 8; Bruno = 8. Total Score = 24 out of 30.

Barry Williams is determined to make a comeback with his paso doble. Barry and Peta Murgatroyd take fierce to a new level with their performance that’s set to “Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf. Derek calls this the “most beautiful redemption dance ever.” He also notes that “Len would have loved that dance.” Bruno stands up and says that Barry had “no mistakes at all.” Barry and Peta’s scores: Carrie Ann = 8; Derek = 8; Bruno = 8. Total Score = 24 out of 30.

Alfonso Ribeiro notes that this is the “closest vote” of the season so far. The bottom three consists of Harry and Rylee, Alyson and Sasha, and Mira and Gleb. The couple going home is… MIRA AND GLEB!