Jenna Dewan secured a top position in the second week of 'Dancing With the Stars,' tying for the highest score, while a surprising elimination saw celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis exit the competition. The episode, themed 'Viral Hits Night,' featured contestants performing to popular songs, facing scrutiny from judges Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba. The unexpected departure of De Laurentiis underscores the intense nature of the dance competition.
The second week of 'Dancing With the Stars' delivered both excitement and a notable upset. Jenna Dewan, known for her role in 'Step Up,' captivated the judges with her performance, earning her a three-way tie for the top spot. Her jive with partner Val Chmerkovskiy to KATSEYE's 'Animal' was praised by the judges, with Tonioli calling it a "beautiful" start to the show, Inaba acknowledging it as "well done," and Hough describing it as "fast, fierce, fantastic." Their score of 21 out of 30 reflected their strong performance and placed them among the frontrunners.
In contrast, celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis and her partner Alan Bersten found themselves at the bottom of the leaderboard. Their salsa to Becky G's 'CHULA' failed to impress the judges. Tonioli commented on a lack of "spice," Hough desired "more power," and Inaba found the performance "shaky." With a score of 12 out of 30, De Laurentiis was the third celebrity to be eliminated from season 35, expressing her effort, "I think I tried my best. It wasn’t best enough, but I tried my best."
The night also saw other notable performances. Golden Globe nominee Julia Stiles, partnered with Ezra Sosa, performed to Teddy Swims' 'The Door,' earning a score of 16. Stiles revealed her struggle with fame and her journey toward being more open with the public. Paralympian Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach also tied for the top score with a cha cha to Flo Rida's 'Low,' receiving commendation from Inaba for his "soul" and Hough for being "blown away." Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov completed the trio at the top, earning a score of 21 for their tango to t.A.T.u.'s 'All the Things She Said,' which Tonioli hailed as the "best tango of the night."
Other contestants delivered varied results. Summer House star Ciara Miller and Brandon Armstrong earned an 18 for their dance to Disco Lines & Tinashe's 'No Broke Boys,' while Bachelor fan-favorite Tyler Cameron and Sharna Burgess received a 16 for their performance to The Kid LAROI's 'Girls.' Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson scored the lowest, tying with De Laurentiis with a 12 for their paso doble to Rihanna's 'Where Have You Been.' Hanson musician Taylor Hanson and Britt Stewart earned a 15 for their cha cha to DNCE's 'Cake by the Ocean,' and Glee alum Harry Shum Jr. and Jenna Johnson scored an 18 for their Viennese waltz to Goo Goo Dolls' 'Iris.' Love Island star Maura Higgins and Mark Ballas, who had the highest score in the previous week, received a 19 for their cha cha to Earth, Wind & Fire's 'September,' with Inaba noting it was "a little safer" this week.
The second week of 'Dancing With the Stars' proved to be a challenging one, with fierce competition and unexpected exits. Jenna Dewan's strong performance positioned her as a contender, while Giada De Laurentiis's elimination highlighted the high stakes of the show. As the season progresses, the remaining celebrities will continue to push their limits on the dance floor, aiming to impress the judges and secure their spot in the competition.