Dancing with the Stars made Tamar Braxton's withdrawal official and therefore no other couple was eliminated during Monday night's broadcast of the series' 21st season on ABC.
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Tamar, a singer, talk show host and sister of Toni Braxton, returned to the hospital following her only performance during last week's show only to learn that she has serious blood clots in both of her lungs rather than just suffering from pneumonia and exhaustion, which was the initial diagnosis.
Tamar and her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy were forced to drop out of the competition as a result, becoming the ninth couple to go home. While Tamar missed Monday night's broadcast due to her poor health, Val revealed she had an amazing time this season and he felt so lucky to work with someone who had such determination and passion.
At the end of the episode, Backstreet Boys member Nick Carter and partner Sharna Burgess were announced as one of the bottom-two couples with Bindi Irwin, the daughter of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, and partner Derek Hough based on last week's judges' scores and America's votes.
Dancing with the Stars host Tom Bergeron and co-host Erin Andrews revealed, however, that since Tamar and Val were ousted, everyone would be safe during this semifinals week and automatically advance to next week's finals.
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The show featured three rounds of competition: An individual dance routine for each couple, a new Dance-Off during which two couples had to square off in a certain dance style to win three additional judges' points, and the infamous Trio-Round during which each celebrity and professional pairing gets to perform with another DWTS pro or Troupe member.
Two couples topped the leaderboard last night, tying for first place with a total of 60 points out of 63 possible points from DWTS judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli. The couples were Bindi and Derek as well as Big Time Rush singer Carlos PenaVega and partner Witney Carson.
Bindi and Derek first took the stage with a salsa routine that earned 27 out of 30 points from the judges. In the Dance-Off, they defeated Nick and Sharna for three extra judges' points after performing the samba. Lastly, Bindi and Derek danced a jazz routine in a trio with pro Mark Ballas that earned 30 out of 30 points from the judging panel.
Carlos and Witney first performed a contemporary routine worthy of 28 points. In the second round of competition, they won three judges' points for their Dance-Off against train hero Alek Skarlatos and partner Lindsay Arnold, who competed with the cha cha. Carlos and Witney later received 29 points for their Charleston trio dance with pro Karina Smirnoff.
Third place on the judging leaderboard went to Alek and Lindsay with 57 total points. They initially danced a perfect-scoring waltz and followed it up with their Dance-Off, which they lost. Alek and Lindsay finished the night with an Argentine tango featuring pro Emma Slater which earned the trio 27 points.
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Nick and Sharna landed in fourth -- and last -- place on the leaderboard with 54 total points. The couple first took the stage with a tango that received 24 points from the judges. Although Nick and Sharna lost their Dance-Off, they earned 30 points for their salsa trio dance with pro Peta Murgatroyd, who couldn't compete this season due to an injury.
Last night's scores and home viewer votes will count towards next week's finals. Dancing with the Stars will have a Monday night performance show per usual and then the Season 21 finale will air Tuesday night on ABC.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski