‘Dancing with the Stars’ Most Memorable Year: Jana Kramer, more perform emotional routines
Did you take a misstep and miss the last episode of DWTS? Read our recap here so you can get a coveted "10 from Len," should there be a quiz or something.
Are you still crying? Neither are we. Okay, maybe that was a lie.
The celebrity dancers performed incredibly moving and heartfelt routines inspired by significant moments in their lives for Dancing with the Stars’ Most Memorable Year Night on Monday.
There wasn’t an elimination this episode, probably because ABC knew after being so emotionally exhausted we just wouldn’t be able to take it.
Violinist André Rieu and his orchestra opened the show by playing My Heart Will Go On, bringing us back to one of our most unforgettable years, 1997, when Titanic came out and we learned true love doesn’t mean sharing a plank to save your soulmate’s life. We digress…
If there was a dry eye in your house, we’re guessing Demi Lovato’s Stone Cold is your theme song. Here are our top five dances of the evening rated E for emotional.
1. James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess
In 2015, the Canadian racecar driver crashed into a wall at 224 mph. His doctor said the survival rate of an accident like that was zero, but that didn’t stop James, aka Hinch, from blowing the ballroom away with a tango nearly a year-and-a-half later. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said he was the one to beat.
Total score: 29/30
2. Terra Jolé and Sasha Farber
While Terra was on tour with Miley Cyrus in 2013, her dad, who was a big supporter of her dreams to be in the entertainment biz, had a liver transplant. On the day he was to be released he had a heart attack and passed away. That same month, Terra started filming Little Women: LA, and on Monday she danced a contemporary routine in honor of her father.
Total score: 27/30
3. Jana Kramer and Gleb Savchenko
Jana cites 2016 as her most memorable year because that’s when she gave birth to her daughter, Jolie Rae.
More than 10 years ago, Jana said she was in an abusive relationship with her then-husband, Michael Gambino, who eventually went to jail for attempting to murder her. Jana said her daughter has given her a newfound strength, which was evident in her contemporary dance that Carrie Ann called a breakthrough for Jana.
Total score: 26/30
4. Marilu Henner and Derek Hough
In 1978, Marilu’s mother died, and she also had her final audition for Taxi, a series that ran for five seasons and starred Danny DeVito, Tony Danza, Andy Kaufman, and Judd Hirsch. Marilu wanted to honor her mom with this week’s Viennese Waltz. After her performance, the judges came onto the dance floor to hug the actress, and Julianne Hough started crying because she knew how much Marilu wanted a great performance.
Total score: 27/30
5. Laurie Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy
We saw Laurie be the crying face human emoji on Monday night. During rehearsals, the gymnast who admitted she could work on her communication, began to cry because she had bottled up her emotions for too long. Despite the conflict with her partner, Laurie’s paso doble inspired by this year’s trip to the Olympics captivated the judges. Bruno Tonioli said she was a “force of nature” but admitted her footwork could’ve been cleaner. Julianne said she wanted Laurie and Val to connect more as partners.
Total score: 25/30
We also saw some cameos this episode. DWTS Season 2 contestant, Jerry Rice, surprised Calvin Johnson Jr. during his routine. Calvin broke Jerry’s single-season receiving yards record in his most memorable year, 2012.
Amy Schumer popped up in Amber Rose’s package. Amber has appeared on Inside Amy Schumer, and the two also shared a steamy lip-lock at the MTV Movie Awards in 2015. “Amber’s a girl’s girl,” Schumer said, “and I think people maybe would be surprised to find that out, but she doesn’t let ego drive her. She really is who she claims to be.”
In addition to a package with star power, Amber rocked this costume that she hoped to take home from the ballroom.
DWTS returns Monday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC with Latin Night and Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull.