Unexpected Twist in 'Dancing With the Stars' Semifinals Reveals the Finalists
The 'Dancing With the Stars' semifinals delivered a shocking twist as the top five couples battled it out for a spot in the finale Find out which dancers made it through the intense competition
The semifinals of Dancing With the Stars on November 28 featured the top five couples who took the stage twice to perform both a ballroom and a Latin-style dance. Ariana Madix and her partner, Pasha Pashkov, from Vanderpump Rules, started off the night with a Jive to “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars. The episode ended with a surprising twist.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba assured Madix, 38, that she has all the necessary tools to win the competition. Despite this positive feedback, Inaba, 55, recognized Madix's struggles with an injury as she noticed limited arm movements. Madix had previously shared on her Instagram Story that she had sustained a back injury in addition to a foot injury while rehearsing for DWTS earlier in the month.
Madix was not the only one to sacrifice physical comfort during Tuesday's episode. Jason Mraz felt nauseous while rehearsing his Viennese waltz with partner Daniella Karagach, but he pushed through. "I cannot afford to fall in the leaderboard, so I am determined to deliver a flawless performance that people will remember for a long time," Mraz, 46, said in a confessional before his first dance.
Mraz received positive feedback from the judges for his Viennese Waltz, but it was his second dance of the night that truly impressed them.
“It’s not always about perfection, I’m looking for magic. That was magic,” Inaba remarked as she stood to embrace the singer. Derek Hough added, “That’s how you secure a spot in the finals.”
Mraz achieved a flawless score for his Paso Doble, matching the accomplishment of Xochitl Gomez, who also achieved a perfect score for both of her semifinal dances.
Bruno Tonioli praised Gomez, 17, for her artistry and skill after her Waltz performance to “La Vie En Rose” by Lady Gaga, saying, “You have a bright future ahead of you.”
Tonioli, 68, was impressed by Charity Lawson’s emotional Rumba to “Love the Way You Lie Part III” by Skylar Grey. When Hough, 38, suggested Lawson could show more emotion, Tonioli disagreed and enthusiastically praised her performance.
“She was on it like Velcro!” he said, embracing Hough. Inaba also agreed with Tonioli, telling Lawson she had "the breakthrough" they had been waiting for.
Inaba was also amazed by Alyson Hannigan’s jive to “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins and awarded her a 9 for the first time this season.
“That routine was challenging, it was lengthy, it was demanding,” she said to Hannigan, 49. “I recall week one, and your progress has been remarkable and you truly inspire everyone to believe that they can dance because you began as a novice.”
At the end of the evening, cohosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough announced the finalists one by one until only Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy and Madix and Pashkov, 37, remained.
"We have our finalists! It's both of you!" Ribeiro, 52, revealed as Madix and Gomez cried with relief.
Deal of the Day
33 Best Extended Cyber Week Deals on Amazon
View Deal
"Indeed, tonight will see all contestants staying put for the finale," Julianne, aged 35, announced. "This is a historic first as we will witness five couples vying for the trophy. The scores and votes from both judges and viewers tonight will be factored into next week's tally to determine the new champions."
The finale will feature all five duos on Tuesday, December 5. Read on for a breakdown of the performers' scores from the semifinals:
Credit: ABC
'Dancing With the Stars' Semifinals End With Shocking Twist: See Who Made It to the Finale
The top five Dancing With the Stars couples faced off during the semifinals on Tuesday, November 28 — and the episode ended with a shocking twist.
The pairs each performed a ballroom and Latin-style dance, with Vanderpump Rules star Ariana Madix and her partner, Pasha Pashkov, starting off with a Jive to Bruno Mars' "Runaway Baby." After their performance, judge Carrie Ann Inaba told Madix, 38, "You have everything you need to win this competition."
Inaba, 55, observed that the Bravolebrity seemed to be holding back on her arm movements, indicating that she may be struggling with an injury. Madix recently shared on her Instagram Story that she had suffered both a back injury and a foot injury while rehearsing for DWTS.
Madix wasn’t the only one who pushed through physical discomfort during Tuesday’s episode. Jason Mraz also experienced nausea while rehearsing his Viennese waltz with partner Daniella Karagach, but he continued to push himself.
"I am determined to stay at the top of the leaderboard, so I aim to deliver a flawless performance that will leave a lasting impression," said 46-year-old Mraz in a confessional before his first dance.
The judges praised Mraz's Viennese Waltz, but it was his second dance of the night that truly impressed them.
"It's not just about being perfect, I'm searching for something magical. That was pure magic," Inaba commented as she stood up to embrace the singer. Derek Hough added, "That's how you make it to the finals, right there."
Mraz received a flawless score for his Paso Doble, a feat that Xochitl Gomez also accomplished with both of her semifinal performances.
“Gomez, 17, received high praise from Bruno Tonioli, who complimented her Waltz to Lady Gaga’s “La Vie En Rose” by saying, “There is dancing and there is artistry... You have an amazing future in front of you.”
Similarly, Tonioli, 68, was impressed by Charity Lawson’s Rumba to Skylar Grey’s “Love the Way You Lie Part III.” When Hough, 38, suggested that Lawson, 27, could show more emotion, Tonioli quickly disagreed with him."
"She was quick to catch on, like Velcro!" He exclaimed, wrapping his arms around Hough. Inaba concurred with Tonioli, stating that Lawson had finally achieved the breakthrough they had been anticipating.
Inaba was further impressed by Alyson Hannigan's jive to "Footloose" by Kenny Loggins and awarded her a 9 for the first time this season.
"It was a grueling routine, so lengthy and difficult," she informed Hannigan, 49. "I recall the first week, and your progress has been remarkable, inspiring everyone to believe that they can dance because you began as a novice."
By the end of the evening, hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough revealed the finalists one by one until only Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy and Madix and Pashkov, 37, remained.
Ribeiro, 52, surprised Madix and Gomez with the news that they would be the couple dancing in the finale, leading to tears of relief. Julianne, 35, then announced that no one would be going home that night and that all the remaining couples had made it to the finale. She also revealed that, for the first time ever, five couples would be dancing for the trophy. The judges' scores and viewers' votes from that night would carry over to next week to determine the new champions.
All five duos will compete in the finale on Tuesday, December 5. Keep scrolling for a look at all the performers’ scores from the semifinals:
Credit: ABC/Andrew Eccles
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov
Dances: Jive and Foxtrot
Song: “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars and “Trampoline” by SHAED & ZAYN
Scores: 28 and 30
Credit: ABC/Andrew Eccles
Jason Mraz and Daniella Karagach
Dances: Viennese waltz and Paso Doble
Song: “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz and “Diablo Rojo” by Rodrigo y Gabriela
Scores: 27 and 30
Credit: ABC/Andrew Eccles
Xochitl Gomez and Val Chmerkovskiy
Dances: Samba and Waltz
Songs: “Samba” by Gloria Estefan and “La Vie en Rose” by Lady Gaga
Scores: 30 and 30
Credit: ABC/Andrew Eccles
Charity Lawson and Artem Chigvintsev
Dances: Rumba and Quickstep
Songs: “Love the Way You Lie Part III” by Skylar Grey and “BO$$” by Fifth Harmony
Scores: 29 and 30
Credit: ABC/Andrew Eccles
Alyson Hannigan and Sasha Farber
Dances: Jive and Waltz
Songs: “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins and “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
Scores: 25 and 26
