Dancing with the Stars Finale Recap: Bindi Irwin's Freestyle Leaves Judges in Tears, Carlos Eliminated
Welcome to the official Dancing with the Stars recap for Season 21, Week 11 Season Finale “Finals” episode (original airdate November 23, 2015). The final four teams took on two rounds of dance. In the first round, one judge helped each couple choose the creative elements of each dance. In the second round, the couples had some freestyle fun that brought cheers and tears. Let’s get to the highlights in The Glitter Report!
Bindi Keeps Going and Going and Going: Bindi Irwin & Derek Hough did a Quickstep to “Dr. Bones” by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. It was a rough rehearsal week, as Derek was sick with a hacking cough that made it hard for him to breathe. You would never have known it by his performance with Bindi, who Julianne Hough described as the Energizer Bunny.
Bindi’s Freestyle: Bindi and Derek’s Freestyle was performed to “Footprints in the Sand” by Leona Lewis. There wasn’t a dry eye in the ballroom after a routine that Bruno Tonioli said touched everyone’s soul. Derek had the idea to show a photo of Bindi with her dad at the dance’s end. Anyone who was crying by that point surely had to be doing so after that. Break out the tissues and watch!
The New Nick: Nick Carter & Sharna Burgess danced the Jive to “Runaway Baby” by Bruno Mars after some creative input from Julianne Hough, who realizes the “new Nick” is greatly improved as he proved in his fine, fast-paced routine. Carrie Ann Inaba called it Nick’s best performance.
Nick’s Freestyle: Nick and Sharna did their Freestyle to live version of “Larger Than Life” by, of course, The Backstreet Boys. Julianne felt like the Freestyle truly was larger than life. Bruno felt like a fan who wanted to join in on the dance.
The Perfecto Is the Hardest: Carlos PenaVega & Witney Carson performed a Foxtrot to “The Hills” by The Weeknd. The fog machine was cranking as this team did their sexy routine. The judges were thoroughly impressed with the dance they first performed in Week 2. Their performance in Week 11 was impressive enough to give Carlos his first perfect 30 of the season.
Carlos’s Freestyle: Carlos and Witney did their freestyle dance to “WTF (Where They From)” by Missy Elliott featuring Pharrell Williams. They checked with the producers to see if they could ask past cast members to join in the routine. So Paula Deen, Hayes Grier and Carlos’s wife, Alexa PenaVega joined in for what Carrie Ann was the freshest, flyest freestyle! Three 10s from the night gave Carlos a perfect night!
Hip to Be Alek: Alek Skarlatos & Lindsay Arnold did a Rumba “The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore” by James Morrison. With Alek sporting a “Team Takedown” t-shirt during rehearsals. Bruno wanted a little more hip action, as did Carrie Ann and Julianne. Still the chemistry and connection between Alek and Lindsay led to a much more dynamic dance.
Alek’s Freestyle: Alek & Lindsay did their freestyle routine to “Marchin On” by OneRepublic. The dance floor became home to an obstacle course for the team’s truly ambitious routine. Bruno felt Alek was a true action hero thanks to some great choreography from Lindsay. Carrie felt it was a victory from beginning to end. Julianne got chills from the physically and emotionally powerful dance. Three 10s from the judges!
Night 1 of the Season 21 Finale Finals ended with Carlos PenaVega exiting the ballroom and the remaining three teams moving on for one more night of Dancing fun in Part 2 of the Dancing with the Stars Season 21 finale TUESDAY 9|8c to see who will take home the coveted Mirrorball Trophy!
WATCH THE FULL EPISODE OF DANCING WITH THE STARS "THE FINALS"
Previous Glitter Reports:
Hometown Glory Night - The Pros
