- The three finalists compete with two individual dances - including the freestyle - along with a megamix challenge in which they must perform three dance styles side-by-side with identical choreography.
- The countdown to the finish was upon us Monday night on "Dancing with the Stars" as the final three dancers got one last chance to impress the viewers and the judges with three dances. The tally of judges' scores and viewer voting would determine which of the finalists would walk away with the coveted mirror ball trophy.
The dancers would perform one new individual dance, a first-ever "mega-mix" dance that would pit all three couples against each other, and the all-important freestyle.
Kelly & Louis: Kelly Osbourne said she didn't know what to expect on the show, but it made her so proud of herself after her first Viennese waltz. The following week, she put too much pressure on herself in the tango. The Charleston was "a real breakthrough," Kelly said, saying it was pure fun. Kelly said, "I never through that I was going to get this far, but I am so glad that we did." Judge Carrie Ann Inaba came to their rehearsal and told Kelly she was the dancer who'd come the farthest since the beginning. Carrie Ann gave Kelly some pointers on how to portray intimacy in her Argentine Tango. Head judge Len Goodman said Kelly epitomized what the competition is about and that she danced right up there. Bruno Tonioli said Kelly has been the revelation of the season, but said her free hand was a bit loose at times and he would've liked to have seen more sensuality. Carrie Ann said she was so proud of Kelly and said she came "miles ahead" in terms of emotion and intensity from what she'd seen in rehearsal. Scores: 9, 9, and 8. Total: 26
Mya & Dmitry: The only dancer to get a perfect score this season, Mya did it twice. Looking back on their journey, Mya and Dmitry talked about how tough Len had been on them. "He's effected our season more than anyone else," Mya said. Their big breakthrough came with the samba, when they scored their first 30. Len paid a visit during their rehearsal and Mya said she had no idea what to expect. He watched their paso doble and said it seemed a little flat and subdued. He wanted to see more intensity. Bruno called it "fearless" and "flamboyant," and said they really got the beauty of the paso doble out there for the world to see. Carrie Ann dubbed Mya "Queen of the Paso Doble." Len said the pressure was immense, but Mya just came out and gave a great performance. He said his favorite paso from all seasons of the show was from Mel B. and Maks, and "this was right there with it." Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30
Donny & Kym: Donny and Kym looked back at their path to the finals and Donny said he started with a foxtrot that drew on his 46 years of performing experience. He said he was grateful to the judges for showing him this competition was about technique and performance, not flashiness. Week 5, he said, was a turning point when they did the Argentine Tango. He pointed out a moment when he stroked Kym's leg, calling it a, "You can sleep on the couch moment." He said, "I'm still sleeping on the couch for that one." Bruno visited Donny and Kym during rehearsals and gave Donny some pointers on extending his arms. They danced a cha cha cha. Carrie Ann called it a breakthrough because Donny got his hips moving. Len said Bruno must have worked some magic, and agreed with Carrie Ann, who pointed out a little mistake with his arm. Bruno said Donny was a professional and a star for having taken his criticism during rehearsals. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27
The Mega-Mix: Choreographer Nick Kosovich, who was a pro on the show in Seasons 2 and 3, put together the mega-mix routine in which all three couples would perform the same choreography, side-by-side, in formation. The routine would include the Viennese waltz, samba and jive.
Len said after the performance that it was "really, really difficult" to judge it because they all did "spectacularly well." Bruno praised each of them for parts of their performances and said Donny proved age doesn't mean anything. Carrie Ann also pointed out each of them, highlighting their strengths at different points throughout the routine. The judges rankings for the couples and their points earned were:
First place, Mya & Dmitry: 30
Second place, Donny & Kym: 28
Third place, Kelly & Louis: 26
The Freestyle Round: Past champions talked about how important the freestyle round can be, and we were about to find out as the finalists prepared to take their final opportunity to wow the judges and the voters.
Kelly & Louis: Kelly was prepared to pull out all the stops, with tricks and lifts and flips, and it backfired a bit and she fell a couple of times. But her smile never faded. Bruno said, "You never looked more beautiful than tonight." Carrie Ann called Kelly a survivor (a reference to the song she danced to, "I Will Survive"). Len said there were a few problems, but "you smiled through it, you were singing, I thoroughly enjoyed watching it." Before getting her scores, Kelly was still laughing, saying, "One of the lifts, it looked more like he pooped me out, than doing a lift." Scores: 8, 8, and 8. Total: 24
Mya & Dmitry: Dmitry wanted to do a "Hairspray"-inspired freestyle, which Mya thought was playing it too safe. In the end, they went with Dmitry's idea, and Mya said it turned out to be more adventurous than she expected. Carrie Ann said it was "high-energy, fun, but not outstanding, to me." She said it didn't show Mya. Len said it was clear that Mya has great dance talent, but "there was a sameness about it all." He said he was expecting something to happen, and it never happened. Bruno said she danced it well, but he agreed with the others that, at this point, he was expecting something a little more spectacular. Scores: 9, 9, and 9. Total: 27
Donny & Kym: Donny wasn't going to let anything distract him in his freestyle. He and Kym worked on a Broadway-style routine that would include some tricks and lifts the judges might not be expecting. Len said that was "truly and absolute show-stopper." Bruno jumped to his feet and called Donny "the master." Carrie Ann said there have been some memorable freestyles on this show, and welcomed Donny to the hall of fame of freestyles. Scores: 10, 10 and 10. Total: 30
LEADER BOARD:
Mya & Dmitry, 30 + 30 + 27 = 87
Donny & Kym, 27 + 28 + 30 = 85
Kelly & Louis, 26 + 26 + 24 = 76
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