With the “Dancing With the Stars” finals just a week away, Kristi Yamaguchi put on a last minute set of stunning performances with professional partner Mark Ballas to move into the top slot on the “Dancing” leader board on Monday night.
Kristi and Mark took to the floor in round one with an intense tango, which netted them a near perfect 29 out of 30.
“You squeezed every single drop of glamour, passion, [and] sex appeal out of it,” judge Bruno Tonioli said of the couple’s moves. “Your footwork was the best… fabulous!”
And the dance had Carrie Ann Inaba crowing Kristi “Queen of the Dance Floor.”
The couple’s second dance – a jive – also brought high praise and a high score – 28 out of 30.
“For me this was the cherry on the icing of the cake of a sweet, sweet, delicious jive,” Bruno enthused.
Despite his injured left arm, Cristian de la Fuente jumped to the top of the leader board last week. On Monday, he put in another solid performance, netting a second place finish after showing off his sexy moves with partner Cheryl Burke.
His first dance – a Viennese waltz netted a 27 out of 30 — while the second number, a saucy samba tied Kristi’s top score – 29 out of 30.
“That was hotter than a chili pepper,” Judge Len Goodman enthused. “I think your arm has really made you focus and come out stronger than you’ve ever been.”
But it was bad news for Jason Taylor. Despite a gorgeous fox trot taking home a 28 out of 30, his second dance, a paso doble, scored just 27 out of 30.
Marissa Jaret Winokur and her partner Tony Dovolani landed at the bottom of the leader board.
Their first dance, a quick step, scored just 26 out of 30, which was the same score their second dance, the rumba, netted.
“This is the semi-finals and I wasn’t excited by that,” Carrie Ann said.
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