Dancing With The Stars season 18 finale part 1 was indeed a showcase of undeniable talent from the remaining four stars who made it this far to get the mirror ball trophy. Monday night's episode was a tirade of awesome performances, one after the other, but sadly one got eliminated just a day prior to the big finale part 2. So who was sent home? Let's recap.
For Dancing With The Stars season 18 finale part 1, our remaining dancing partners, namely: Meryl Davis and Maks Chmerkovskiy, Amy Purdy and Derek Hough, James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd, and Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas, were tasked to prepare two dances - one judges' pick and one for the freestyle round. Our judges of course comprised Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli.
In the first round, the Judges' Pick, all of our dancing stars captivated all the judges with their spot on moves to whatever the judges have decided for them to do. James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd performed a snappy tango to the beat of Miley Cyrus' "Adore You." Their performance was so moving they even sealed it with a steamy kiss at the end. The audience loved it and the judges also liked it. Goodman said that it was "clean as a whistle." Tonioli also praised their routine by saying that it was "dominant, dangerous, passionate, focused." However, Inaba remarked that Maslow was "just a little too rigid." For their tango, Inaba gave 9 while the other two gave them both a 10. In the intro package for their first dance, James said, "It really is awesome being in the finals. Peta and I have gotten really close throughout the competition." Then, the young singer-actor quipped: "I'm the last man standing. However, I want to be the last person standing."
Next on the line up for Dancing With The Stars season 18 finale part 1 was ice dancing champion Meryl Davis and partner Maks Chmerkovskiy. The two danced an Argentine Tango for the Judges' Pick round and indeed the judges' couldn't have chosen any better. Following Davis' performance, everyone was ecstatic and the three judges couldn't offer enough praises to their routine. Ibana said that there was an "incredible magic" between the two while Goodman noted that it was "the dance of the night" although she has seen only two that time. On the other hand, Tonioli said that he felt like he was watching the choreographed version of a concept album. All three judges gave a generous 10 to Meryl Davis. "How can you enter a race without trying to win? God knows, I came back 13 times for this," Maks said in the intro. "I wanna look back and say, 'I have nothing else to give.'"
"Full House" alum Candace Cameron Bure came next. It was a tough week for the actress, whose partner, Mark Ballas, suffered from a serious shoulder injury while attempting to do a lift during one of their rehearsals. Footage of the incident showed Ballas writhing in pain while clutching his arm. The dramatic event led to speculations that Bure might need to find a replacement partner for the finale. Fortunately, the doctor cleared Ballas to perform in Monday night's episode. For the first round, they performed a quickstep to Rihanna's "Umbrella." It can be noted that Candace's quickstep during the switch up got her low scores from the judges. However, in tonight's finale part 1, her performance with Ballas proved to be something else. "Tonight I'm surprised and totally impressed," Inaba said, adding that she noticed how "lighthearted" Bure seemed. "You got the toughest dance. And considering... the pressure you've been under, you did good," Goodman commented. For the routine, each judge gave Bure a 9.
The inspirational Amy Purdy performed last for the first round, and the athlete has had a hard time this week after noting that her back began spasming during rehearsals. In the intro package, her partner Hough even said, "Amy has fought tooth and nail to get in these finals. And I just feel like, this is another hurdle we have to overcome." The dancing partners performed a fast-paced salsa with amazing stunts and lifts in between. Tonioli praised it saying it was nothing short of "splashy, exhilarating and flamboyant." The two got a perfect 10 from each judge.
For the second round of Dancing With The Stars season 18 finale part 1, the dancing couples were tasked to do freestyle. James Maslow got full support from his Big Time Rush bandmates as well as from guest stars Victoria Justice and Miranda Cosgrove before he performed his freestyle routine that was very edgy, intense and energetic, with matching acrobatic moves. "Well, we have a new post-apocalyptic action hero," Tonioli gushed after Maslow's performance. Inaba commented: "You're the most versatile... You killed it!" Goodman gave Maslow's second performance a 9 while the other two judges gave it a 10.
For her second dance, Meryl Davis prepared an outstanding and emotional routine to Latch's "Disclosure." Her co-athletes, figure skaters Kristi Yamaguchi and Evan Lysacek voiced out their support in the intro package that also narrate how she overcame dyslexia. During their intense performance, Inaba was notably in tears and she even gushed afterwards, "I think you guys should get married," and she added later on that it was "divinity in motion." Goodman also praised the Olympics medalist saying, "There's good, there's great, and there's Meryl." For their freestyle, Davis and Chmerkovskiy still got a solid 10 from each judge.
Now, for Candace Cameron Bure, who was catapulted to fame when she starred in the hit series "Full House," her co-stars showed their support in the intro package. She even admitted that the actress used to struggle with confidence and body image, but DWTS changed all these. For the freestyle routine, Bure and Ballas performed to "Canned Heart" by Jamiroquai. The judges also enjoyed their performance. Inaba exclaimed, "You went for it!" but she also noted that Candace struggled to connect with the music. In contrast, Tonioli commented, "I love a disco diva. And you went for it with gusto." Bure then received an 8 from each judge.
Finally, for the last performance of the night, Amy and Derek did a showstopper to the beat of "Dare You" by Hardwell. In the intro package, Amy's life experiences were chronicled especially her struggles after losing both her legs due to bacterial meningitis. "I remember thinking, 'This is what it feels like to die," she said in the intro. However, she overcame all these and even became an outstanding paralympic snowboarder and now even an amazing dancer. Purdy's freestyle was nothing short of spectacular especially with the aerial stunt that left everyone stunned. Inaba quipped, "Thank you for being you." Goodman said that the rope trick was somehow unnecessary while Tonioli couldn't help but praise the choreography. Goodman gave the dancing partners a 9 while Inaba and Tonioli each gave a solid 10.
After all the dancing, Dancing With The Stars season 18 part 1 culminated with another elimination - the last for this season. And unfortunately, it was James Maslow, who was sent home. "It's all right. I've really had an amazing experience," he said after the announcement, "I'm just grateful or the opportunity."
What do you think about the Dancing With The Stars season 18 finale part 1? Sound off in the comments section below.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
