Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro returned on Monday night, as pro Jenna Johnson joined the show as a guest mentor and judge. The remaining eight dancers were challenged to show off their chemistry, and the night ended with a double elimination.
Jenna Johnson Guest Judges on DWTS: The Next Pro
Two-time Mirrorball champion Jenna Johnson appeared as a guest judge on this week’s new episode of DWTS: The Next Pro, helping the remaining dancers deliver a routine showing off their chemistry with a partner.
After an exercise akin to “speed dating,” in which the dancers switched partners in the rehearsal room, the women were given the opportunity to choose which men they wanted to dance with. When Tristen was left without a partner, Stephani went with him as her second choice. The initial rejection caused some tension between them.
The standout performance of the night came from Erik and Selena, who danced an Argentine tango. Jenna Johnson said she was “speechless,” praising Erik’s confidence. Judge Shirley Ballas gave the pair a standing ovation, saying the routine could be on DWTS tomorrow.
The judges were also impressed by AJ and Adele’s rumba routine, with Shirley Ballas calling Adele a “superstar.” However, she noted that the need for more natural chemistry seemed to put AJ “way out of his comfort zone.”
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Who Was Eliminated This Week?
This week, the Next Pro dancers were warned that the judges would be eliminating a couple together, rather than just one contestant. At the end of the episode, the bottom two couples were Allen and Nina, who danced an Argentine tango, and Tristen and Stephani, who danced a rumba.
Although Mark Ballas called this Nina’s “best dance,” and the panel praised the couple’s chemistry, she and Allen were criticized for not including enough Argentine tango in their routine. Allen admitted that they chose to go “outside the box” with the choreography.
Ultimately, Tristen and Stephani were eliminated from the competition, as Mark Ballas said they went “in and out of chemistry,” and Johnson thought there was a “fire missing” from Stephani’s performance. There are now just six dancers left in the competition – Adele, AJ, Allen, Erik, Nina, and Selena.
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What did you think of this week’s new episode of DWTS: The Next Pro? Do you think the right couple was eliminated? Let us know in the comments below.
