'Dancing with the Stars' eliminates Dwight Howard and partner Daniella Karagach

Dancing with the Stars eliminated Dwight Howard and pro partner Daniella Karagach on "500th Episode Night" during the Season 33 quarterfinals episode that aired Tuesday night on ABC.


The NBA champion and Daniella were ousted from Dancing with the Stars based on the combination of judges' scores and home viewer votes that were cast during the live two-hour performance show on Tuesday night.

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While not necessarily among the bottom-three votegetters, TV star Chandler Kinney and The Bachelor alum Joey Graziadei were also in jeopardy of going home at the end of the Dancing with the Stars episode.

"I had an amazing experience. Daniella is an amazing partner," Dwight told DWTS host Alfonso Ribeiro and co-host Julianne Hough at the end of the broadcast.


"I'm glad that she was here with me. The show meant so much to me. I learned so much here. Thank you everyone. I appreciate it."

And Daniella added, "A lot of people said we couldn't do it, and we did it. And for me, that's a win!"

The Dancing with the Stars episode featured six celebrity and professional pairings each reinterpreting an iconic routine from the past 500 episodes with all new choreography as well as performing in an "Instant Dance Round."

For each celebrity and professional pairing's "Instant Dance," they were tasked with selecting a dance style and song at random, rehearsing for only about five minutes, and then taking the stage live for Dancing with the Stars judges Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli and Carrie Ann Inaba.

Chandler and pro partner Brandon Armstrong topped the judges' leaderboard in first place with a total perfect score of 60 out of 60 possible points.


For the first round of competition, Chandler and Brandon reinvented Kellie Pickler and Derek Hough's Argentine tango from Season 16.

Chandler and Brandon received a 30 out of 30 possible points for the performance, and it marked the first perfect score of the season.

Derek admitted he actually preferred Brandon's routine over his own, and he pointed out how that's "a big compliment." He said it was smooth, slick, intense and accurate. The routine also left Bruno "breathless."

"Chandler, you are maybe the most powerful dancer, female dancer, that I've ever seen on this dance floor. I see you," Carrie Ann gushed, adding how the performance was "fire."

Chandler and Brandon later danced the cha cha to "Apple" by Charli XCX for their "Instant Dance," and they earned another perfect score of 30 points from the judges.


Carrie Ann said Chandler was "owning the dance floor," and Derek noted, "Chandler, you ate that and left no crumbs."

Bruno added how everything was "spot on" and it was "the dance of a winner."

Joey and pro partner Jenna Johnson finished the night in second place on the judges' leaderboard with a total score of 55 points.

Joey and Jenna first reinterpreted Riker Lynch and Allison Holker's contemporary routine from Season 20, and the pair received 28 judges' points for it.

Bruno said the routine was powerful, but Carrie Ann thought it lacked a little raw feeling or emotion.


Derek disagreed with Carrie Ann and called The Bachelor alum "a contender" for the upcoming semifinals.

Joey and Jenna then danced a 27-point worthy rumba to "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish for their "Instant Dance."

Bruno called the dance "steamy," but he said Joey had some heel leads.

Carrie Ann gushed about how Joey and Jenna truly used the music and created a sensual and lyrical routine.

Derek had predicted Joey would do the rumba well because it requires musicality.


Third place on the judges' leaderboard went to Olympic medalist Stephen Nedoroscik and pro partner Rylee Arnold with a total of 54 points.

Stephen and Rylee chose to recreate Charli D'Amelio and Mark Ballas' Viennese waltz from Season 31, and the pair received 29 points for their refresh.

Bruno said Stephen should be proud because he gave it his best, and Carrie Ann said the performance was a celebration of life and partnership.

Derek also shared how he loved to see an emotional tone in Stephen this week and the Olympian really made him "feel something."

For Round 2, Stephen and Rylee earned 25 points for their "Instant" jive to "Love Is Embarrassing" by Olivia Rodrigo.

Bruno declared how Stephen's timing was better but then there was a mistake, which Lindsay took responsibility for.


Carrie Ann agreed Stephen has tempo issues but he had happy feet -- and she was happy with that jive overall.

Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and pro partner Alan Bersten finished in fourth place on the judges' leaderboard with a total of 52 points from the judges.

Ilona and Alan first celebrated Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold's quickstep from Season 25.

Carrie Ann gave Ilona and Alan's 28-point worthy dance two thumbs up and a standing ovation.

The judges gushed about Ilona's hold and beautiful lines, and Derek confirmed that Ilona definitely "bounced back" from last week.

For their "Instant Dance," Ilona and Alana performed a salsa to "Da' Dip" by Freak Nasty, and they received 24 points from the judges for their performance.


Derek thought the performance was so impressive, but Bruno joked about how "the things that were right were good."

Carrie Ann added how it was clean and the dance showed how far Ilona has come as a dancer on the show.

Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola and pro partner Witney Carson claimed fifth place on the judges' leaderboard with 51 total points.

For Round 1, Danny and Witney took the stage with a fresh take on Helio Castronoves and Julianne Hough's Season 5 quickstep. Danny and Witney earned 27 judges' points for their dance.

Carrie Ann and Derek both thought it was "fantastic," and Carrie Ann noted how Danny's progress in this competition is mind-blowing.

However, the judges agreed that Danny was a bit tense and out of sync in some of his moments.


Danny and Witney later followed that up with a jive to "Good Golly Miss Molly" by Little Richard. The jive earned them 24 additional judges' points.

Carrie Ann said Danny had a slow start but then he got into it and started to shine.

Derek pointed out how the jive was probably the hardest dance for this challenge, and Bruno admitted their timing was on and off but their performance value was good.

And finally, Dwight and Daniella landed in sixth -- and last -- place on the judges' leaderboard with 48 total points.

Dwight and Daniella were scored 26 points after they reinvented James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess' Argentine tango from Season 23.

Derek said Daniella was "so clever" with how they tackled the height difference and it was "captivating."


Bruno added that it was an incredible Argentine tango, and Carrie Ann called them "the most innovative" dance duo of the season.

Dwight and Daniella's second dance of the night was a paso doble to "Victorious" by Panic! at the Disco. The pair only received 22 points for their "Instant Dance."

Derek admitted the performance fell a little flat and there were some timing issues.

RELATED LINK: 'DANCING WITH THE STARS' PROS AND THEIR SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: WHO'S DATING OR MARRIED TO WHOM!? (PHOTOS)

Carrie Ann said Dwight carried himself like a champion and she appreciated his focus and drive, even though some of his lines were a little short.

The five pairs who advanced from Tuesday night's show will compete in Dancing with the Stars' Season 33 semifinals next week.







About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski