Brandon Mychal Smith withdrew from Skating with the Stars during Monday night's live broadcast on ABC, determining the ice dancing competition's three finalists.
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"I'm feeling very disappointed that I'm not able to skate with my partner tonight, but due to the doctor's diagnosis, I will not be able to continue with the competition, but I've had a great time. It's been a momentous experience, and I just want to thank all of my fans and supporters for supporting me guys, seriously," Smith explained during the show.
The remaining skaters still performed although Smith's withdrawal from the competition resulted in a non-elimination episode, where the final three pairs automatically advanced to the Skating with the Stars' next round. Next Monday's elimination will be based on the viewer votes from this week and last week combined with the judges' votes from this week and next week to determine which two couples will make it to the show's special Tuesday night finale broadcast.
Each skating pair was required to take part in a "thrill week" theme in which they had to perform some difficult and dangerous moves: an overhead lift, a throw where the man must lift and propel his partner while speeding across the ice, and the "death spiral" in which the female is spun around by her partner using only one arm and her head is only inches above the ice.
The routine was eligible to receive up to 60 possible points from the judges -- 30 points for technical merit and an additional 30 points for artistic impression.
Olympic gold-medal skier Jonny Moseley and partner Brooke Castile topped the leaderboard in first place for the second week in a row after their performance earned them a total of 54 points. They earned 27 points for the technical aspect to their ice dance and received an additional 27 points for its artistic value.
Actress Rebecca Budig and partner Fred Palascak had finished in second place for the second straight week with a total of 53 points on the leaderboard after receiving 26 points for their technical score and an additional 27 points for their artistic performance this week.
The Real Housewives of New York City and Bethenny's Getting Married? star Bethenny Frankel and partner Ethan Burgess landed at the bottom of the judging leaderboard in third and last place. They received 18 points for their technique and an additional 20 points for their artistic impression -- giving them a combined score of 38 points for the night.
Smith had announced his plans to withdrawal from the competition earlier that day.
Skating with the Stars' next episode will air on Monday, December 20 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
