The “Dancing with the Stars” elimination axe has fallen — and it’s chopped two pairs from the competition.
(Spoiler alert! This story contains the results of Monday’s “DWTS.”)
Swimmer Diana Nyad was the first celebrity cut from the ballroom, taking professional partner Henry Byalikov out of the competition with her.
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“For nine years, I’ve wanted to do this show. It’s spectacular,” Diana said after learning the news early in Monday night’s broadcast.
“It’s joy, it’s freedom, I only wish that this superlative, handsome young man who I’ve been [dancing] with now, for three weeks… I wish I could’ve given him at least a couple more weeks,” she added of Henry.
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In a surprising twist, the “DWTS” Season 18 contenders learned that a second couple was to be cut, and the second blade fell on pro hockey star Sean Avery and his partner, Karina Smirnoff.
“I made a new friend in Karina,” Sean said after being cut. “I made some money for an amazing charity, Friends In Deed. I got out of the cold winter of New York so it’s been a good month.”
Despite the double elimination, there was good news for three pairs on the show. Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd and Charlie White and Sharna Burgess found themselves in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard.
Meryl and Maks scored their 25 points for their swing dance.
“Fly on, girl. You’re gonna be here for a while,” judge Len Goodman – who gave the pair a 9 – said.
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For James and Peta, their 25 points were the result of a sexy salsa.
“You’ve come out of your shell, and you’ve got the abs to prove it,” Bruno Tonioli commented (James had his shirt open during his dance, revealing a rock hard stomach).
And for Charlie (Meryl’s ice dancing partner) and Sharna, their top score was earned through a thrilling tango.
“You looked like Baryshnikov out there,” Carrie Ann Inaba raved.
Fan favorite Drew Carey, competing with Cheryl Burke, turned in a jive that netted them 21.
“If entertainment was judo, you’re a black belt,” Len raved.
The bottom of the leaderboard was claimed by Billie Dee Williams and Emma Slater, who took home just 15 points for their tango.
— Jolie Lash
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