'Dancing with the Stars': Bonner bows out, Normani dominates the night
Welcome back to Dancing with the Why Is Bonner Bolton Still Here?
Okay, that’s harsh, but guys. Here we are in this strange Dancing with the Stars final five that should probably have Nancy Kerrigan in it and definitely should have had Heather Morris, but we’re left with a seemingly predictable final three in Normani, Rashad and Simone. But for Bonner Bolton it was the final night of dancing. He tried, but his deficit stood out too much. As we hurl ourselves toward a new mirror ball champ, let’s review:
Normani Kordei and Valentin Chmerkovskiy (with Alan Bernstein)
Contemporary/Jive Trio
Round 1 Judges Scores: 40/40
Round 2 Judges Scores: 39/40
Val chooses a song called Freedom for Normani because of past abuse she's experienced online — whatever pain she had to dip into paid off because her contemporary was as emotionally succinct as it was technically flawless. And it seemed everyone took note — Normani solidified a well-deserved perfect score for her Contemporary, and her Jive offered nothing less. If Normani loses this season, it’s a crime.
Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater (with Witney Carson)
Jive/Argentine Tango Trio
Round 1 Judges Scores: 36/40
Round 2 Judges Scores: 39/40
With this we get some insight into their connection, and it appears that Rashad is a real life angel! But as nice as he is, that jive wasn’t his best. Of course, there were staple kicks and flicks, and the first jump-over-and nearly-land-on-a dancer’s-head move, but it’s not his prime. However his Argentine Tango trio was FIRE with Emma and Witney. The footwork was nearly perfect, but the chemistry? It needs no comment.
Simone Biles and Sasha Farber (with Brittany Cherry)
Foxtrot/Paso Doble Trio
Round 1 Judges Scores: 36/40
Round 2 Judges Scores: 36/40
To quote what my dad texted at me in all caps last week, “SIMONE WAS ROBED.” We assume that means “robbed,” but America agrees, and so does Sasha who chose What Makes You Beautiful for their Foxtrot this week. She continues to be technically perfect, however that Olympian emotional breakthrough? It doesn’t feel like it’s quite yet happened. But on that Paso Doble? Simone looks like a true champion, but the judges still say she’s too perfect.
David Ross and Lindsay Arnold (with Hayley Erbert)
Waltz/Paso Doble Trio
Round 1 Judges Scores: 36/40
Round 2 Judges Scores: 29/40
So, God love Lindsay for choosing Humble and Kind for David because he’s, wait for it, humble and kind. But the moment of the season so far is Lindsay dancing on David’s actual feet. You see—David and Bonner’s main difference is that David has progressed. Does he deserve Simone’s score? Probably not. But he’s earned it. Does that make sense? Neither does this dance floor. On the final dance of the night, David’s gladiator inspired Paso to Gangsta’s Paraside, is surprisingly epic, yet adorably amateur. To quote David, “That stinks.”
Bonner Bolton and Sharna Burgess (with Britt Stewart)
Argentine Tango/Jazz Trio
Round 1 Judges Scores: 30/40
Round 2 Judges Scores: 28/40
Sharna chose an Imagine Dragons song for Bonner because why should his run on DWTS start making sense now? On dance night, Bonner doesn’t particularly miss any steps, but there’s a fluidity that’s missing from his dancing that isn’t lining up with the other contestants. And Len even comments that he’s gone a week too far. DANG, LEN. On trio night, their CEO/sexual secretary gimmick feels weird... just a lot of money and side-butt and grinding.
Paste BN Sparkle Points Podium
David Ross: 5/5
We see you, David! Your muted lavender suit with rhinestones. Your sleeveless gladiator-dad realness. It’s an adventurous choice for a waltz to a country song about fatherhood, but if you’re dad is super fierce and not afraid of a pastel color palette, it’s perfection. And that warrior Paso? This is David’s Sparta, and we’re just living in it.
Rashad Jennings: 4/5
Matching black suits aren’t usually worth calling attention to, but look past your bias and into Rashad’s dancing truth, and you’ll see that both the jacket and tie are bedazzled, and that’s worth noting.
Normani Kordei: 4/5
A quiet, somber Contemporary was followed by a country-bumpkin jive with as much skin-revealing flannel as the eye could see, and sometimes, the most sparkle points are awarded to those who show the most abs. To Val and Alan, we thank you for your service to Normani’s Jive.