As we find ourselves in the semi-finals, it’s hard to believe how distant the memory is of Matt Walsh’s swift exit after just one night in the ballroom. Consider the alternate scenario where Harry Jowsey faced an early departure instead – the potential comedic gold we might have witnessed from the deadpan Veep star!
But dwelling on what could have been won’t change the reality, especially with the frequent tear-shedding showcased by the golden bachelor in every promo. The current focus is on whether Xochitl Gomez is virtually unstoppable in this competition. The question remains: did anyone come close to overshadowing her spotlight tonight?
Farber paid Hannigan the ultimate compliment, hailing her as the “true embodiment of Dancing with the Stars.” Remarkably, she stands out as a non-dancing celebrity who not only holds her own but consistently improves throughout the show. However, with the competition intensifying, even underdogs like her must elevate their performances beyond merely stomping around, as demonstrated in their recent jive to “Footloose.”
Bruno Tonioli chimed in with, “Darling, footloose and fancy-free, let your hair down and have fun! I love the country-western feel to it.” Despite a couple of hesitancies, he acknowledged Hannigan’s remarkable progress since week one, resulting in a commendable score of 25 out of 30 for the semifinals.
Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz, paired with Daniella Karagach, took the stage with a Viennese waltz set to his own song, “I Won’t Give Up,” despite experiencing a bout of nausea during rehearsals. The dance, focused on rotation, proved to be a challenge for Mraz, but he managed to weave some enchantment in the ballroom. Following the performance, he became emotional while conversing with co-host Julianne Hough.
Judge Tonioli praised Mraz’s rendition, saying, “Beautiful song, beautiful waltz. Proper, correct, you really danced like a gentleman. On the rotation, a little more drive.” The result was a commendable score of 27 out of 30 for their heartfelt Viennese waltz.