by Kylene Hamulak

 

Dancing With The Stars is just a week away from the finale, but we've still got five couples in the ballroom. The pressure is on for everyone, especially since the second round of dances will feature styles that many of the pros have never choreographed before.

 

Round 1

 

Kellie and Derek, Argentine Tango

In what will likely be a theme for the night, this pair is battling through a difficult rehearsal, learning a brand new style (Flamenco) while trying not to neglect their first round dance. They begin in silhouette, two black figures against a red light backdrop, and it's beautiful. Kellie's lines are straight and the movements are crisp - all in all, it looks like a great routine. Len calls the performance a mix of pride and joy, getting out of his seat to declare it "FANTASTIC!" Bruno describes it as pure perfection. Carrie Ann agrees - she thinks it's absurd that Kellie is able to achieve that perfection, especially in silhouette, after just eight weeks of dancing.

Total Score: 30 (10-10-10)

 

Ingo and Kym, Samba

They may be the underdogs, but Ingo and Kym are trying everything they can to make it to the finals. Ingo's come a long way in the competition, but most of the flare in this dance comes from Kym. He tries hard, but his movements don't seem as smooth as they should be. Bruno admires his passion and the effort he puts in, but notes that he doesn't quite have the bounce he should. Carrie Ann says it's still a little inconsistent, but she's looking forward to his second dance. Len, however, thought he did a good job with a difficult dance. He also apologizes to the "sensitive" viewers for the hip thrusts Ingo threw out in that routine. Why apologize, Len? I didn't hear anyone complaining!

Total Score: 24 (8-8-8)

 

Aly and Mark, Rhumba

Spoiler alert: Aly and Mark are putting lots of tricks into their Afro Jazz routine in the second half of the show! The Rhumba, however, is supposed to be slow and pretty, and this one is. Honestly, there's a little too much throwing and embracing and hair dancing for me, but the judges disagree. Maybe I just don't like the Rhumba? Carrie Ann is screaming like a banshee - she loves it. "I cannot believe the maturity of your performances now - the drama, the beauty, the lines, the sensuality, all of it!" Len's a fan too - he's impressed by the understated performance, but also by her growth. Bruno calls it "the right balance between romance and sensuality." And then Mark awkwardly waits for Aly to give him a double high-five - guess they should've rehearsed that part a little more!

Total Score: 30 (10-10-10)

 

Jacoby and Karina, Tango

Karina's method of teaching Jacoby begins with walking. Literally. She wants him to walk it out, and he's getting frustrated by her teaching style. Hasn't that been the story this season? The scary part is when Karina doesn't quite get a trick off during rehearsal and lands on her jaw instead. Does that hurt the performance? Not in my opinion. The theatrics were really cool, and there was no holding back for these two. Len is excited - he's almost speechless. "Ca-ching! Right on the money, Jacoby!" Bruno calls it his best performance ever. Carrie Ann is giddy and heated up and doing some kind of dance I've only seen drunk girls perform long after everyone else has switched to water.

Total Score: 30 (10-10-10)

 

Zendaya and Val, Quick Step

Hip Hop, this couple's second dance, is Zendaya's natural style, but Val has never done it before. That second dance is going to be epic, but first, we get a fast and furious Quick Step. There are a lot of props to begin the routine, and it's a little messy when they get into the steps. Personally, it's not my favorite of front runners so far. Bruno asks if they had "rocket fuel for breakfast" and appreciates the effort to make it a quick performance. However, in doing that, they lost the frame and footing in a couple places. Carrie Ann agrees - she thought that, in parts, it was as if they were "dragging each other through the dance." Len thought parts of it were fabulous, but the intense speed took a little something out of it.

Total Score: 25 (8-8-9 (Bruno))

 

Round 2

 

Kellie and Derek, Flamenco

Before the second dances, we'll be treated to profiles of each of the Stars and where they came from. Kellie, as we know, came from roller skatin' hamburger waitress to American Idol and the country music scene and has now conquered DWTS! Their Flamenco is super entertaining - how Derek flipped her so easily is beyond me. Len tells Kellie, "As far as I'm concerned, you've just booked your place in the final." Bruno says she tightened up in some spots and lost the fluidity, but still thought it was very good. Carrie Ann thought she tensed up towards the end. I would give them an extra point just for using music that either was or sounded like Pirates of the Caribbean.

Total Score: 28 (9-10 (Len)-9)

 

Ingo and Kym, Charleston

Ingo's got a carefree lifestyle, living off the land with his family as a child, then joining the cast of General Hospital and beginning his own family in Hawaii for all the right reasons. His wife believes he's made it this far "because of his drive, because of his persistence, because of his passion." The Charleston is really cute and it is a dance better suited to him, and it's just a lot of fun to watch. Even the props don't seem over done. Bruno thinks he captured the spirit of the Charleston - "Fun, fun fun!" Carrie Ann agrees that the essence of the Roaring 20's was evident, and even his mistakes worked with the rebellious dance. Len tells him that the semifinal is "a good time to do your best dance!"

Total Score: 27 (9-9-9)

 

Aly and Mark, Afro Jazz

Aly's past, of course, is defined by USA Gymnastics and her quest to be the best at it. All of her family and teammates agree that the thing that makes her a champion at the gym is the perserverance that has brought her this far on the dance floor. I don't know how to judge Afro Jazz. It's a lot of tricks (as promised), and entertaining in the way that the Shawn-Mark-Derek trio of tribal dance was entertaining last year. Carrie Ann calls it fantastic and notes how difficult the routine was. Len loved the musical interpretation and feeling of the dance, though he did feel they were a bit isolated from each other. Bruno says Aly has exceeded all expectations and shown an incredible range.

Total Score: 29 (10-9 (Len)-10)

 

Jacoby and Karina, Lindy Hop

Jacoby always wanted to be a football player, despite not being a big guy. Even when he didn't make the football team, he just kept going. I think I'm going to try that. Just pick a place I wanna be and go there, regardless of whether they want me or not.  Anyway, their Lindy Hop is great and one of my favorite routines of the night. Talk about a style that suits a Star! Jacoby's got the quick feet and the personality to sell these kinds of dances, and Karina did not go easy on the choreography. Len calls him out on one step but calls it "FULL ON AND FABULOUS!" Bruno says he got everyone powered up, including him. "You nailed it, man." Carrie Ann votes him the "#1 Entertainer of Season 16!" She's right.

Total Score: 29  (10-9 (Len)-10)

 

Zendaya and Val, Hip Hop

As a child (well, a younger child), Zendaya was shy. It took a while for her to get out of her shell, but boy has she. Honestly, I'm expecting this Hip Hop routine to be amazing, and it pretty much is. The amazing part of it? Zendaya is every bit the professional - I barely noticed Val because I was watching her having such a great time. Bruno says it "was so cool, it gives me chills....Zendaya forever!" Carrie Ann announces that she's going to be Zendaya's biggest #1 fan. Len liked the attitude of the routine. "I thought it was fantastic."

Total Score:  30 (10-10-10)

 

Final Thoughts: I have no idea why four dancers are going to the finale (shouldn't we be down to two for ANY finale? Maybe three? But FOUR?!), but I'm going to make a pretty good guess at who they will be. Ingo should have his last dance tomorrow night, leaving Kellie, Zendaya, Aly, and Jacoby as the final four Stars - and deservedly so. Ingo has had a good run, but he's out of his league at this point. Side note: Dance Moms fans should note that Sophia will be featured in this week's AT&T Spotlight Performance.

 

The Standings:

 

59 - Aly and Mark, Jacoby and Karina

58 - Kellie and Derek

55 - Zendaya and Val

51 - Ingo and Kym

 

Who are you voting to see in the finale? Let us know in the comments below!

 

Dancing With The Stars airs every Monday at 8/7c with Results every Tuesday on ABC!

 

(Images courtesy of ABC)

 

Follow Kylene on Twitter @keepingupwithky!