Relive the best performances and that heartbreaking elimination from 'DWTS'
Readers should note this recap contains spoilers.
Monday night in the Dancing with the Stars ballroom was showstopper night–which last week, might've been Nick Carter's gender reveal in the most literal sense.
This week, it meant that after each couple danced, the pros and celebs would be paired off into three teams to dance a performance inspired by a well-known show.
But before we get to that round, here are the most notable moments from the first part of the show:
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas' contemporary dance
Alexa confided in her partner that when she was on the set of a movie, producers told her that she was too fat. As a child, she didn't know how to handle that critique and became bulimic for six years.
For their contemporary number, Mark choreographed a genius routine where Alexa played herself and he personified her bulimia.
The performance completely blew our minds and received a standing ovation from judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough, and Bruno Tonioli. Oh, did we forget to mention the couple also got a perfect score?
Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 10, Bruno: 10
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough's routine
This week, Derek had some trouble crafting choreography. He was really feeling the pressure of the upcoming finals and didn't want to let his partner down.
And because he is mastermind Derek Hough, his Viennese Waltz also received a standing ovation from the judges. His sis, Julianne, complimented Bindi on her ability to take risks. Carrie Ann said that it was just like watching a sunrise, "art every time."
Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 10, Bruno: 10
When Everybody showed up for Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess
Because they always said they would never break our hearts, the rest of the Backstreet Boys showed up in the ballroom to cheer on their brother, Nick. And we mean ALL the Boys including: Kevin Richardson, A.J. McLean, Howie Dorough, and Brian Littrell. Sigh!
And we're guessing the Boys' presence helped Nick pull off a really great quickstep despite a hip injury from rehearsals.
Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 10
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson's Argentine tango
While choreographing a dance to Justin Bieber's What Do You Mean? Witney began to get a little unsure of herself. What the pro came up with looked great, but didn't wow the judges.
Carrie Ann said the routine was good, but it didn't touch her. And, Julianne said that it lacked the passion that should be present in an Argentine tango.
Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 9
When Alek Skarlatos got some things off his chest
This week, Alek and Lindsay Arnold danced the salsa. And, Alek admitted that he had a little bit of trouble getting in touch with his sexy side, as hard as that might be for some of his adoring public to believe.
The pair pulled off their routine pretty well, and Alek looked great showing a little skin in our never too humble opinion. The judges' scores weren't shabby either:
Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 8, Bruno: 8
But the moment that made us sit up and watch? When he let some ladies wax his chest. Bro, ouch!
When Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy didn't end up dancing
Prior to the show, Tamar was taken to the emergency room for an illness and didn't make it back to the set in time for her performance. Therefore, the judges' scores were based on Tamar and Val's dress rehearsal, which was understandably less than perfect.
Bruno said that he really would've liked Val's concept for the contemporary routine, but acknowledged that there were mistakes in the rehearsal performance.
Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 7, Bruno: 7
Showstoppin', show show stoppin'
For the showstoppers round the teams, each made of two stars and two pros, visited different popular shows to be inspired for their own routines. Also, in each dance number, the celebs had to dance with each other for a full 30 seconds without their pro partners present.
Bindi, Derek, Alexa, and Mark
This foursome was by far our favorite! They traveled to New York City to visit the cast of Chicago to get inspo. and All That Jazz. Though Derek hit a few bumps in the road while choreographing, the routine went off without a hitch.
Carrie Ann: 10, Julianne: 10, Bruno: 10
Which meant both couples had perfect scores for the evening.
Nick, Sharna, Tamar, and Val
These four cast members headed to Las Vegas to train with performers in The Beatles LOVE by Cirque du Soleil. Just mere minutes before the live DWTS performance, Tamar arrived on the set. Man, do we admire her perseverance.
And so did the judges!
Carrie Ann: 9, Julianne: 9, Bruno: 9
Alek, Lindsay, Carlos, and Witney
This team took to the sea to study the show We Will Rock You, a Royal Caribbean production. While Alek and Carlos had a good time finding their sea legs, there was room for improvement in their routine.
Julianne said a lift from the routine was amazing, but she wanted to see more aggression from the men.
Carrie Ann: 8, Julianne: 8, Bruno: 8
In jeopardy
The elimination round was definitely the hardest part of the show to watch this week. It was announced that all of the celebs were safe except for married couple Alexa and Carlos.
When Alexa and Mark were eliminated from the competition, both Alexa and her hubby got very emotional. Alexa did say that if she had to leave the show, she was happy she could go out on top.