Dancing With the Stars: Janet Jackson Night Delivers Perfect Scores and a Shocking Double Elimination
The competition on Dancing With the Stars intensified dramatically during the highly anticipated Janet Jackson Night, an evening dedicated to celebrating the iconic superstar’s unparalleled influence on music and dance. This pivotal episode saw celebrity contestants pushing their boundaries, delivering some of their most captivating performances to date. However, the stakes were higher than ever, culminating in a devastating double elimination that sent shockwaves through the ballroom and left fans reeling as the semi-finals approached.
The show kicked off with a truly special moment: a heartfelt video message from the legendary Janet Jackson herself. Addressing host Tyra Banks and the contestants from London, Jackson expressed her excitement and gratitude for being honored on Dancing With the Stars. “I love all styles, all types of dance. It’s a way to express yourself,” she shared, setting an inspirational tone for a night filled with rhythm, passion, and incredible artistry inspired by her groundbreaking career.
Electric Performances Light Up Janet Jackson Night
Kicking off the night was country music star Jimmie Allen, paired with professional dancer Emma Slater. They took on the vibrant cha-cha to Janet Jackson’s infectious hit, “Escapade.” Jimmie, known for his charismatic stage presence, brought his signature energy to the ballroom. Judge Len Goodman commended their effort, calling it a “nice dance and a nice routine,” acknowledging the solid choreography. Derek Hough, while appreciating the overall enjoyment, noted that Jimmie appeared “stiff” at times, a point of feedback often given to celebrities learning ballroom techniques. Bruno Tonioli chimed in with praise, describing the performance as “fun, playful,” and highlighted Jimmie’s improved “fluidity.” However, Bruno, ever the stickler for technique, offered a crucial tip: “no heel leads in the cha-cha.” Despite minor technical critiques, their scores reflected a strong effort: Carrie Ann Inaba = 8; Len = 8; Derek = 8; Bruno = 8. This brought their total score to a respectable 32 out of 40.
Next, Olympic gymnast Suni Lee and her partner Sasha Farber delivered an electrifying samba to “All For You.” Suni arrived with a fresh look, sporting new blonde hair, signaling a renewed confidence after battling illness and online criticism in previous weeks. Her transformation was not just external; her performance radiated power and precision. Derek Hough immediately picked up on her revitalized spirit, raving about her “new hair, new confidence,” acknowledging her powerful comeback. Bruno Tonioli was equally impressed, declaring Suni “rebooted, recharged, running on high octane,” even suggesting she possessed the caliber of a professional dancer. Carrie Ann Inaba couldn’t contain her excitement, gushing that the performance was “fantastic.” Suni and Sasha’s exceptional chemistry and flawless execution earned them the first perfect score of the night: Carrie Ann = 10; Len = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10. Their total score was an outstanding 40 out of 40.
Actress Melora Hardin and professional Artem Chigvintsev fearlessly tackled the dramatic paso doble, set to Janet Jackson’s “Seductive Fantasy.” Following what was described as a challenging week of rehearsals, their ability to execute such a demanding and passionate routine was truly commendable. Their performance was a masterclass in storytelling, powerful and undeniably memorable, showcasing Melora’s dramatic flair. Bruno Tonioli lauded their artistic interpretation, stating that the “key to the paso doble is artistry,” and emphatically confirmed that their artistry was unequivocally present. Carrie Ann echoed this sentiment, describing the performance as both “powerful” and “passionate.” Len Goodman, known for his critical eye, agreed wholeheartedly with his fellow judges, simply calling it a “great performance.” Their dedication and intensity also garnered them a perfect score: Carrie Ann = 10; Len = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10. They matched Suni and Sasha with a total score of 40 out of 40.
Influencer Olivia Jade and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy presented a breathtaking Argentine tango to the sultry strains of “Any Time, Any Place.” The performance was undeniably elegant and visually stunning, highlighting Olivia’s grace. Carrie Ann Inaba, however, felt a slight disconnect, noting that while the dance was “beautiful” and “elegant,” she yearned to “see a little more heat,” suggesting a deeper emotional intensity was missing. Len Goodman voiced his specific reservation about a segment of the performance, admitting he wasn’t keen on the “table portion,” which prompted a playful, sexy joke from Val. Bruno Tonioli, on the other hand, found the performance quite impactful, characterizing it as “seductive, romance, involving” and praising their “great leg work.” Their combined efforts resulted in strong scores: Carrie Ann = 9; Len = 9; Derek = 9; Bruno = 9. Their total score was 36 out of 40.
Fitness instructor Cody Rigsby and veteran pro Cheryl Burke took on the paso doble to “Black Cat,” delivering what many considered their most impactful performance of the entire season. Cody’s growth throughout the competition was palpable, culminating in this powerful display. Len Goodman was particularly impressed, stating he loved the “no-nonsense dancing” and how “dominant” Cody was, even humorously admitting he “didn’t even notice Cheryl!” Derek Hough echoed the sentiment, noting Cody had genuinely been “stepping it up” in recent weeks. Bruno Tonioli exclaimed that Cody had “unleashed the beast within!” This breakthrough performance earned them impressive marks: Carrie Ann = 10; Len = 10; Derek = 9; Bruno = 9. Their total score also reached 36 out of 40.
Television personality and dancer Amanda Kloots, partnered with Alan Bersten, absolutely slayed their jazz routine to the iconic “Miss You Much.” Amanda commanded the stage with an effortless elegance and fierce presence. Derek Hough was captivated, telling Amanda, “You were just a leading lady from start to finish.” Bruno Tonioli enthusiastically agreed, reinforcing, “You were in charge of this dance.” Carrie Ann Inaba was so moved by the performance that she spontaneously rose from her seat to give Amanda a hug, a rare and emotional gesture from the judge, signifying the profound impact of the routine. Len Goodman simply distilled his praise, calling the performance “amazing.” Unsurprisingly, Amanda and Alan joined the ranks of perfect scores: Carrie Ann = 10; Len = 10; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10. Their total score soared to 40 out of 40.
NBA champion Iman Shumpert and his partner Daniella Karagach brought an infectious energy to their cha-cha, choreographed to the timeless “Rhythm Nation.” Their performance was a highly anticipated moment, given Iman’s unique style and Daniella’s innovative choreography. Bruno Tonioli acknowledged the spirit of the routine, calling it a “great tribute to a great artist.” However, he noted a slight deficiency in the core dance style, adding that the “cha-cha was a bit minimal.” Len Goodman agreed with the sentiment, mentioning he was “impressed with the precision in the group section” but observed there was “not enough cha-cha” content. Derek Hough, however, focused on the broader impact of the duo, emphasizing just how “special” and “memorable” Iman and Daniella have become throughout the competition. Their distinctive performance garnered: Carrie Ann = 9; Len = 8; Derek = 9; Bruno = 9. Their total score was 35 out of 40.
Pop superstar JoJo Siwa and her partner Jenna Johnson closed out the individual performances with a jaw-dropping salsa to “Feedback.” Their routine was a testament to JoJo’s incredible versatility and Jenna’s brilliant choreography. Carrie Ann Inaba was left utterly stunned, describing the performance as “sharp, hot, sexy,” highlighting its electrifying energy. Len Goodman, while acknowledging their talent as a “fantastic dream team,” offered a point of critique, suggesting there were “gimmicks that weren’t salsa,” indicating a deviation from traditional salsa steps. Derek Hough, almost at a loss for words, simply declared himself “speechless,” testament to the routine’s impact. Bruno Tonioli, known for his flamboyant expressions, called the performance “drop dead sexy.” Their powerful routine earned them: Carrie Ann = 10; Len = 9; Derek = 10; Bruno = 10. Their total score for the night was 39 out of 40.
Following the individual dances, it was time for the high-stakes dance-offs, where winning couples would earn two crucial bonus points, potentially tipping the scales in their favor. The first dance-off of Janet Jackson Night featured a sizzling salsa battle between Jimmie Allen & Emma Slater and Suni Lee & Sasha Farber. Both couples brought their A-game, but after an intense face-off, Bruno Tonioli ultimately chose Suni and Sasha as the winners, securing those valuable two points. Next, Olivia Jade & Val Chmerkovskiy went head-to-head with JoJo Siwa & Jenna Johnson in what Carrie Ann Inaba dramatically dubbed the “dance-offs of dance-offs.” The energy was palpable, with both duos delivering fierce performances. In the end, Carrie Ann picked JoJo and Jenna as the victors of this highly anticipated confrontation.
The competition continued with Melora Hardin & Artem Chigvintsev facing off against Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach in an elegant foxtrot dance-off. This battle of contrasting styles showcased both couples’ strengths. After careful deliberation, Derek Hough selected Melora and Artem as the winners, adding two more points to their impressive tally. The final dance-off of the night pitted Cody Rigsby & Cheryl Burke against Amanda Kloots & Alan Bersten in a high-energy cha-cha. Both teams delivered dynamic routines, but it was Amanda and Alan who emerged victorious, further solidifying their position at the top of the leaderboard with those bonus points.
A Devastating Double Elimination Shakes the Ballroom
The air grew thick with tension as host Tyra Banks announced the results, leading to the dreaded double elimination – a moment everyone had been anticipating with trepidation. The first couples revealed to be safe and heading straight to the semi-finals were Suni Lee & Sasha Farber, solidifying their spot after a perfect night. They were soon joined by the consistently strong JoJo Siwa & Jenna Johnson, the captivating Amanda Kloots & Alan Bersten, the ever-improving Cody Rigsby & Cheryl Burke, and the fan-favorite Iman Shumpert & Daniella Karagach. This left three couples vulnerable in the bottom three: Melora Hardin & Artem Chigvintsev, Jimmie Allen & Emma Slater, and Olivia Jade & Val Chmerkovskiy. The shock on their faces was palpable, especially for Melora, who had also achieved a perfect score earlier in the night.
The first elimination was announced immediately, based solely on viewer votes combined with judges’ scores. The couple with the lowest number of votes, bringing their incredible journey to an abrupt end, was Olivia Jade and Val Chmerkovskiy. Their elimination was swift and heartbreaking, a testament to the unpredictable nature of live television competition. This left Jimmie Allen & Emma Slater and Melora Hardin & Artem Chigvintsev as the final two couples facing elimination. The power then shifted to the judges, who had the difficult task of saving one couple. After a tense pause, the judges made their decision: they chose to save Melora Hardin and Artem Chigvintsev, recognizing their consistent high scores and artistic merit. This meant that Jimmie Allen and Emma Slater were the second couple to be eliminated, concluding their impressive run on Janet Jackson Night. The ballroom was left in stunned silence, a poignant end to a night filled with both triumphs and profound goodbyes, as the competition dwindled down to the final contenders for the coveted Mirrorball Trophy.