The latest episode of Dancing With the Stars showcased an exciting “Oscars” theme, bringing Hollywood magic to the ballroom. While Anna Delvey and Tori Spelling were eliminated, choreographer Brandon Bieber emphasized that the real star of the night was the art of dance.
Bieber, a Broadway dancer and co-choreographer for the upcoming Kiss of the Spider Woman starring Jennifer Lopez, told Yahoo Entertainment, “Dance crosses all language barriers; it’s like a celebration of what the human body is capable of.” His experience working on various Ryan Murphy projects has given him insight into how film has shaped popular dance styles.
He noted that many dances featured on Dancing With the Stars, such as cha-cha, rumba, and quickstep, became popular through movies from the 1920s to the 1940s. This influence was evident in last night’s performances, which received enthusiastic standing ovations.
Among the standout routines were Olympian Ilona Maher with pro Alan Bersten, actress Chandler Kinney with pro Brandon Armstrong, Olympian Stephen Nedoroscik with pro Rylee Arnold, and Real Housewives of Atlanta star Phaedra Parks with pro Val Chmerkovskiy.
In a surprising twist, Delvey and Spelling faced elimination after their performances.
Spelling performed a heartfelt rumba to “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman, dedicating her routine to her children. “I want my kids to know you can be anything you want to be,” she said. Delvey danced the quickstep to “Suddenly I See” from The Devil Wears Prada, despite being under home confinement for her grand larceny conviction. When asked about her experience after her elimination, she humorously replied, “Nothing.”
Bieber highlighted how deeply ingrained these films are in American culture. He expressed excitement in watching non-professional dancers recreate iconic movie moments. “In the Golden Age of Hollywood, stars like Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire were trained dancers,” he explained. “It’s thrilling to see celebrities succeed in dance.”
Actor Eric Roberts, the only Oscar nominee in the competition, became emotional during a visit to the Academy Museum. He reflected on his nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Runaway Train, calling it “a dream come true to the nth degree.”
Reginald VelJohnson, known for his roles in Die Hard and Family Matters, also reminisced during a light-hearted moment about whether Die Hard is a Christmas movie. He dedicated his performance to Bruce Willis, who is currently battling dementia.
As the competition progresses, Bieber noted that last night’s performances showcased not only talent but also resilience. “Dancing is timeless,” he remarked. “In a world filled with challenges, seeing people unite through their hard work brings joy.”
The episode featured a variety of dances set to music from iconic films, highlighting the diverse talent among contestants.
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