ABC
This week followed a Janet Jackson theme on Dancing with the Stars and the contestants faced an intense double elimination!
The episode paid tribute to Janet Jackson’s music for the first time and the eight remaining contestants performed two routines. “I think it’s great. I love all styles, all types of dance,” Janet Jackson told host Tyra Banks. “It’s a way to express yourself — another way, I should say, to express yourself. If you don’t do it through words, another way you can express yourself [is] through dance.”
Following the performances, it was ultimately Olivia Jade Giannulli and Jimmie Allen who were sent home in the double elimination. Melora Hardin also landed in the bottom three, but was saved by the judges to dance again in next week’s semifinals.
“I am honestly shocked I even made it this far and it’s been such a journey, and I’m just so grateful I did the show,” Olivia Jade told reporters following her elimination. “It’s just something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
“I really found a drive and a work ethic that I think I’ve had since I was young, but maybe I haven’t been able to execute in the last few years,” she added. “It’s been really nice to find that again. And I think hard work really does pay off.”
Allen, on the other hand, confessed that he plans to hang up his dancing shoes after being sent home.
“I’m done dancing,” the country singer told reporters, adding, “I love being in the ballroom, but I’m just glad I don’t have to dance anymore! I’m done! But I’m taking so much stuff I’ve learned from [Emma], some of the little moves, and throwing them in the shelf, but my main thing [is] I just want everybody who’s still on the show to have fun.”
Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.