Denise Scott and partner Jeremy performed their final cha cha on an emotionally draining Dancing with The Stars last night.
This week the 10 celebrities drew on deeply personal experiences, showcasing stories that shaped who they are in the night’s theme – My Memorable Year.
In a ball of emotion each celebrity tangoed, paso doble’d and formed contemporary narratives to express their innermost feelings on the year that changed their lives, giving it their all and leaving both sweat and tears on the dance floor.
In a raw and honest performance, Courtney Act tangoed her way to judge’s acclaim and, once again, the top of the leaderboard. Stripping away the drag façade, Shane appeared for the first time on the Dancing With The Stars floor, revealing the struggle of gender identity, eventually coming to the realisation that whoever you are is enough.
Sharing his very personal story, Samuel Johnson danced contemporary for his late sister Connie. Stripping back the sibling rivalry to reveal the heartbreak, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Samuel chose this moment to share the passion and emotion of his relationship and the reason why he’s dancing for his charity Love Your Sister.
Showing a side of the girl boss we haven’t seen before, Michelle Bridges let her guard down with a tango that created fireworks, dedicating Temper Trap’s Sweet Disposition to son Axel and partner Steve ‘Commando’ Willis, sharing the emotional year she became a mother.
Constance Hall’s technique had mixed reactions from the judges with a contemporary dance dedicated to the charity she supports helping children in Kenya. The routine had the blogger trading dance shoes for bare feet but it was her partner Gustavo who was even more emotional, revealing his mother in Italy had recently undergone an operation.
Sir Curtly Ambrose took us back to when he ruled the cricket pitch, facing off against Aussie legends Matthew Hayden, Allan Border and Steve Waugh. Despite a slip up from partner Siobhan, it was a powerful paso doble where the audience finally witnessed that infamous Sir Curtly stare.
Strutting on stage in a sequinned jacket, Jett Kenny tangoed for his life to Macklemore. After a rough routine, Jett was clearly disappointed saying he did “everything wrong”. Craig dubbed it a “real mess” but did stipulate how much potential he has a dancer.
The time is now for Jimmy Rees, with 2019 being his memorable year, expanding his family and exploring new horizons. Dancing to a song that means so much to both him and wife Tori saw him awarded a total of 23.
Landing at the bottom of the leader board last week, Cassandra Thorburn redeemed herself, sashaying her way through her toughest year ever and being brave enough to tackle new challenges.
With her memorable year seeing her step out from obscurity straight onto Ramsay St, Olympia Valance conveyed resilience and trying times from a toxic relationship through contemporary dance. Craig dubbed it “a-ma-zing” and awarded her her highest score yet, 24.
Despite putting her all into a homage that birthed her stage career, Denise’s persistence and determination wasn’t enough to keep the funny lady in the competition.
On leaving the show Denise said: “It’s been a blast but I’m tired. I came here because I wanted to take on a challenge and I found it so hard. The lesson is there’s always wine at the end of the show.”
