‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 21 finals: Carlos PenaVega eliminated, Bindi Irwin reaches finale [WATCH VIDEOS]
“Dancing With the Stars” Season 21 is now in its finale week. There were some great moments, intricate sets and challenging choreography during Monday's episode, when Backstreet Boy Nick Carter pulled off a very difficult jive routine like a pro.
Although four couples danced to the judge’s choice, only three advanced to Tuesday’s finale. In spite of earning two perfect 10s, and bringing in celebrity contestants who were earlier eliminated in the season for his hip-hop inspired freestyle, including celebrity chef Paula Dean, Hayes Grier, and his wife Alexa PenaVega, Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson bid goodbye after coming right into the finals, E Online reports.
Bindi Irwin and her pro partner Derek Hough’s Quickstep earned them a perfect score of 30 out of 30 points. Carlos and Witney also won 30 points for their Foxtrot routine, which was one of their best dances of the season, TV Line reports. Nick and Sharna also scored 30 for their freestyle, while Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold received only 27 for their rumba.
Bindi’s contemporary freestyle with Derek paid homage to her late father, Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, but the standout moment was when a photo of her with her father appeared on a large screen onstage after the dance ended. Bindi was surprised and emotional as she hugged Derek.
“You danced from the heart and you touched everybody’s souls ... and that is a great achievement,” said judge Bruno Tonioli, about Bindi’s performance. They earned 30 points for their freestyle. Meanwhile, Nick brought the audience to their feet with his group dance to “Larger Than Life,” his 1999 hit song from Backstreet Boys. He and Sharna also scored 30.
Alek and Lindsay’s freestyle earned them 30 points. The show also featured live performances by singers Meghan Trainor, Who Is Fancy and Ariana Grande.
Tonight’s Scores (Judges’ choice dance; Freestyle, Total)
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough: 30; 30. Total: 60
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson: 30; 30; Total: 60
Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess: 30; 30. Total: 60
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold: 27; 30. Total: 57
It remains to be seen who will take home the coveted Mirrorball trophy on Tuesday's episode of DWTS, but it will probably be a neck-to-neck competition between Bindi and Derek, and Nick and Sharna.
Here's a look at some of the dance routines from Monday's episode:
"Dancing With The Stars" two-hour finale airs Tuesday at 9 pm on ABC.
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