The other couples continue Dancing with the stars cast a spell on the ballroom Tuesday for the show’s Disney-themed night.
The evening was filled with inspiring routines from Disney film classics, creating moments that were as enchanting as they were nostalgic.
The energy was unmistakable to Natalie Rogers-Cropper, Broadway’s associate choreographer The Lion King.
“Disney creates something so human and tangible,” she told Yahoo Entertainment. “It captures human emotions, human strength, overcoming adversity, human love for each other and for all things.”
Disney also represents “all types of people in their films,” she said. “We need art to show us who we are.”
Rogers-Cropper said discipline, technique and a strong dose of imagination are essential to creating meaningful connections with audiences.
“Dance is the only art form that involves a human being [sole] art,” she says. “Those who watch it say, ‘I’m looking forward to it.’ Maybe it reminds them of how they felt on their wedding day. Whatever the case, there is a connection.”
That was also the case in Tuesday’s episode, which opened with a performance of “Friend Like Me.” Aladdinchoreographed by Mandy Moore and starring Michael James Scott, who plays Genie in the Broadway production.
In addition to their routines, the participants were divided into two teams for group performances, with the scores from these dances contributing to their overall total for the evening.
“Team Goof,” led by dance captain Ilona Maher and consisting of Joey Graziadei, Chandler Kinney and Jenn Tran, earned all A’s for their dance to “I2I” by A crazy movie. Meanwhile, “Team Roar,” led by captain Dwight Howard, featured Danny Amendola, Stephen Nedoroscik and Phaedra Parks, who scored eights for their performance of The Lion King“I just can’t wait to become king.”
Chandler Kinney’s paso doble to “We Own the Night.” Zombies 2, as well as Danny Amendola and partner Witney Carson’s jazz routine on NSync’s “Bye Bye Bye” in Deadpool and Wolverinetied for the highest scores of the evening with 27 points.
Howard earned all eights for his tango in “When Can I See You Again?” by Wreck-It Ralph (his highest score to date), together with partner Daniella Karagach. Stephen Nedoroscik and partner Rylee Arnold also earned eights for their Charleston to “A Star Is Born” Hercules.
Two couples earned scores of 25: Joey Graziadei and his partner Jenna Johnson, who performed the samba to “Trashin’ the Camp” by Tarzanand Ilona Maher and partner Alan Bersten, who performed a jazz routine to “Surface Pressure” Encanto.
At the end of the evening, Phaedra Parks, who performed a jazz routine to “Cruella de Vil” from 101 Dalmatians with partner Val Chmerkovskiy, were eliminated from the competition.
Howard, Parks share Disney memories
Parks and Howard spoke to Yahoo Entertainment about the significance of their song choices for Disney Night before entering the ballroom.
Howard said he drew parallels between himself and the character Ralph Wreck-It Ralphwho is a video game “villain” who longs to be the good guy.
“This film shows part of who I am,” he explained. “Some people see me as a big, mean giant, but I have a big heart.”
As for Parks, her jazz routine may not have garnered enough votes to stay in the running, but the song choice did have special meaning, as it was one of her son’s favorites growing up.
“This song embodies the nostalgia and joy of childhood,” she said.
Dancing with the stars returns for the episode “Halloween Nightmares” airing October 29 at 8 PM ET on ABC.
How did the stars perform?
Judges: Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli
Phaedra Parks and pro Val Chmerkovskiy: Eliminated
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Dance: Jazz
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Song: “Cruella de Vil” from 101 Dalmatians
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Score: Carrie Ann 8, Derek 8, Bruno 8
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Routine: 24/30
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Total: 48 (with team points added)
Chandler Kinney and pro Brandon Armstrong: Safe
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Dance: Paso double
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Song: “We Own the Night” from Zombies 2
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Score: Carrie Ann 9, Derek 9, Bruno 9
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Routine: 27/30
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Total: 54 (with team points added)
Danny Amendola and pro Witney Carson: Safe
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Dance: Jazz
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Song: “Bye Bye Bye” out Deadpool and Wolverine
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Score: Carrie Ann 9, Derek 9, Bruno 9
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Routine: 27/30
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Total: 51 (with team points added)
Joey Graziadei and pro Jenna Johnson: Safe
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Dance: Samba
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Song: “Trashin’ the Camp” from Tarzan
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Score: Carrie Ann 8, Derek 8, Bruno 9
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Routine: 25/30
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Total: 52 (with team points added)
Ilona Maher and pro Alan Bersten: safe
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Dance: Jazz
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Song: “Surface pressure” by Encanto
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Score: Carrie Ann 9, Derek 8, Bruno 8
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Routine: 25/30
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Total: 52 (with team points added)
Jenn Tran and pro Sasha Farber: Safe
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Dance: Rumba
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Song: “Kiss the girl”. The Little Mermaid
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Score: Carrie Ann 8, Derek 8, Bruno 8
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Routine: 24/30
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Total: 51 (with team points added)
Stephen Nedoroscik and pro Rylee Arnold: Safe
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Dance: Charleston
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Song: “A Star is Born”. Hercules
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Score: Carrie Ann 8, Derek 8, Bruno 8
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Routine: 24/30
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Total: 48 (with team points added)
Dwight Howard and pro Daniella Karagach: Safe
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Dance: Tango
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Song: “When can I see you again?” by Wreck-It Ralph
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Score: Carrie Ann 8, Derek 8, Bruno 8
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Routine: 24/30
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Total: 48 (with team points added)
Who has been eliminated so far?
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Week 2: Anna Delvey and Tori Spelling
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Week 4: Reginald VelJohnson and Eric Roberts
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Week 5: Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko
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Week 6: Phaedra Parks and pro Val Chmerkovskiy
