ABC / Christopher Willard

FILM & TV

Dancing With the Stars Makes Magic in New Disney+ Night

There was a little extra magic with this year’s Dancing With the Stars new Disney+ night. The dance competition series made its way to Disney+ for season 30, so it was only fitting that the contestants and their pro partners pay tribute to the streaming service’s extensive catalog. Check out some of the highlights below.
ABC / Christopher Willard

There was a little extra magic with this year’s Dancing With the Stars new Disney+ night. The dance competition series made its way to Disney+ for season 30, so it was only fitting that the contestants and their pro partners pay tribute to the streaming service’s extensive catalog. Check out some of the highlights below.

Opening the show was fitness model and actor Joseph Baena who reunited with his partner Daniella Karagach after she sat out of two shows due to COVID. The pair performed a Charleston to “A Star is Born” from Hercules, which was everything we hoped for. Although the judges did call out an overwhelming amount of tricks, viewers at home had to pick their jaws off the floor after Karagach jumped over the stairs right into Baena’s arms.
ABC / Christopher Willard

Opening the show was fitness model and actor Joseph Baena who reunited with his partner Daniella Karagach after she sat out of two shows due to COVID. The pair performed a Charleston to “A Star is Born” from Hercules, which was everything we hoped for. Although the judges did call out an overwhelming amount of tricks, viewers at home had to pick their jaws off the floor after Karagach jumped over the stairs right into Baena’s arms.

Platinum recording artist Jordin Sparks and partner Brandon Armstrong dedicated their Jazz piece to Coco’s “Remember Me” to Sparks’ son. She sang the first part of the song to her son, who was in the audience, then continued her vibrant performance, which the judges called “her best dance yet,” and earned Sparks her highest score.

Actor and singer Wayne Brady got back into his Aaron Burr character from his run in the Chicago stage production of Hamilton. The two performed a Jazz piece to Burr’s solo “Wait For It,” which left the judges wanting more and Brady overcome with emotion. They kept their spot at the top of the leaderboard, receiving a 9 out of 10 from each judge.

CODA star Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart danced the Quickstep to “Finally Free” from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Stewart, a principal dancer in all three original HSM films, expressed how proud she was of Durant despite the weekly challenges he faces. Unfortunately, the judges called out quite a few missteps and the immense use of props, which disappointed the couple; however, fans enjoyed the storytelling and theatrics and felt they were underscored.
ABC / Christopher Willard

CODA star Daniel Durant and Britt Stewart danced the Quickstep to “Finally Free” from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Stewart, a principal dancer in all three original HSM films, expressed how proud she was of Durant despite the weekly challenges he faces. Unfortunately, the judges called out quite a few missteps and the immense use of props, which disappointed the couple; however, fans enjoyed the storytelling and theatrics and felt they were underscored.

Actress Selma Blair and Sasha Farber also performed a Quickstep to the theme song from The Muppets. After a special visit from Ms. Piggy and Kermit the Frog, Blair and Farber had a clean performance, despite the fast pace and intricate footwork. Judge Derek Hough commended Blair for wearing pants instead of a dress, which helps camouflage footwork in case of mistakes, and even without the dress, her footwork was solid.

Charli D’Amelio and Mark Ballas closed the night with the piece that fans and judges called “one of the best in the show’s history.” The pair performed a Jazz piece to The Simpsons theme song, and let’s say they went all out. The two were dressed as Marge and Homer Simpson, complete with wigs, bald caps, and full yellow body paint. They were technical, clean, and quirky; essentially everything a good theatrical dance should be. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba was at a loss for words and called the dance “perfect.”

In the end, D’Amelio, Brady, and Bachelorette star Gabby Windey were tied for first place with a score of 36/40. Unfortunately, Good Morning America meteorologist Sam Champion and Cheryl Burke were sent packing after a Paso Doble to the title track from The Greatest Showman that landed them at the bottom of the leaderboard.

12 couples remain in the fight for the mirrorball, and next week they have double the work for their two-show week with Most Memorable Moment Night on Monday and Prom Night on Tuesday. You can catch Dancing With the Stars live every Monday at 8 P.M. only on Disney+.