Dancing With the Stars Honors Whitney Houston and Announces Taylor Swift Night
The hit reality show Dancing With the Stars paid tribute to the legendary singer and actress Whitney Houston with a spectacular night showcasing her iconic music. The remaining seven couples took to the ballroom floor to perform dazzling routines to Houston’s classic hits, capturing the essence of her decades-long career. To add to the excitement, the self-proclaimed male Whitney Houston Billy Porter joined the judging panel and opened the night with a stellar performance of How Will I Know.
The evening kicked off with Harry Jowsey’s graceful Viennese waltz to I Have Nothing from Houston’s film The Bodyguard. While the judges acknowledged his elegance, they also pointed out that his performance lacked the necessary intensity. Derek Hough commented, For such a big guy, you dance kind of small sometimes, while Billy Porter expressed his desire for more seduction. Harry and his partner received a score of 28 out of 40.
Despite facing a sprained ankle, Xochitl Gomez delivered a passionate tango to the upbeat rhythm of I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me). The judges were thrilled and showered her with praise. Bruno Tonioli declared it dancing at its best, Carrie Ann Inaba described it as flawless, and Xochitl received the first perfect score of the season, capturing everyone’s hearts.
Ariana Madix impressed both the judges and the audience with her fiery paso doble, earning her the title of the Queen of the Night. Her powerful performance left her speechless when she received an outstanding score of 39 out of 40, the second-highest of the night.
The competition continued with the intense dance-off round. Harry and Rylee faced off against Alyson and Sasha in a head-to-head rumba. Billy Porter advised Harry to incorporate more challenging steps and urged him not to behave like a tree trunk. Ultimately, Alyson and Sasha emerged victorious, earning three bonus points. Barry & Peta and Jason & Daniella then took the stage for a side-by-side salsa. Barry’s impressive moves and his decision to tear off his hot pink shirt captivated the crowd and judges, securing him a win. Lastly, Xochitl & Val and Charity & Artem competed in a fierce cha-cha battle. Although both couples showcased fantastic performances, the judges felt that Charity displayed more drive in her moves, earning her the extra points.
In a shocking turn of events, Barry Williams faced elimination. The crowd expressed their disbelief and disappointment, booing as the couple bid farewell. This has been the most wonderful experience of my life, said Barry, expressing his gratitude for the show. Everyone here has made this a complete delight, and I knew I won after the first night.
After a night dedicated to Whitney Houston’s music, Dancing With the Stars announced its exciting upcoming theme: Taylor Swift night. Fans can look forward to next week’s episode, where each couple will perform dances to Swift’s chart-topping hits. It promises to be a captivating celebration of Swift’s music and artistry.
Don’t miss out on the thrilling performances on Dancing With the Stars, airing Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, with next-day streaming available on Hulu.
