Skip to Content

With a couple of weeks under their collective belts, the Dancing with the Stars cast is starting to separate itself into three distinct groups:

1. Contenders.

2. Also-rans.

3. Those in between, who you keep waiting to break out but aren’t sure they ever will, or who got off to a great start but may not sustain it.

Loch Mess
(ABC)

So which tandems rose to the occasion and who fell flat as the show journeyed to the magical world of Cirque du Soleil on Monday?

With the added risk of a double elimination on the line?

Former NFL star Calvin Johnson Jr., a.k.a. Megatron, performed a lively routine that featured his partner flying high above the stage.

“You are turning into a Marvel Agent of Fun,” Bruno Tonioli said, while co-host Erin Andrews described him as “lean, mean Megatron.”

Maureen McCormick and partner Artem Chigvintsev during rehearsals overcame pre-show bickering to pull off a pretty intense dance.

“You maintained the focus for all of us,” Carrie-Ann Inaba said. “I felt like you were in another world … everything about that was dreamy.”

Jana Kramer tried to wow the audience by channeling The Beatles, but ended up, in Julianne Hough’s words, “firmly stuck in the middle.”

Better that than near the bottom, right?

After Julianne Hough body shamed Amber Rose last week (in the eyes of many), the celebrity was back to “embrace her sexuality."

You know. For once. Change of pace.

This time, Hough said her routine was “authentically you, this is your essence.” So their detente appears to have held up for now at least.

Marilu Henner’s paso doble was “like stopping the four horsemen of the apocalypse … that is a very, very hard and difficult routine.”

Those are the words of Bruno. The scores she received showed it, although Babyface and Allison Holker struggled mightily as well.

The Hollywood Gossip Logo

Finally, Ryan Lochte swam in a massive pool to recreate “O” and try to rectify his poor performance from a week ago. Did he succeed?

He got his highest score of the season!

That’s the plus side. The down side is that doesn’t say much. Vanilla Ice, meanwhile, vowed the judges with a surprising Viennese Waltz.

Finally, Laurie Hernandez was called “Queen of the Ballroom" after she channeled the late Michael Jackson to the tune of a 30 for 30!

That’s right, she was perfect!

The scores from last night:

Laurie Hernandez and Val Chmerkovskiy: 30/30

James Hinchcliffe and Sharna Burgess: 28/30

Terra Jole and Sasha Farber: 25/30

Maureen McCormick and Artem Chigvintsev: 24/30

Amber Rose and Maks Chmerkovskiy: 24/30

Vanilla Ice and Witney Carson: 23/30

Calvin Johnson and Lindsay Arnold: 23/30

Jana Kramer and Gleb Chigvintsev: 23/30

Ryan Lochte and Cheryl Burke: 22/30

Marilu Henner and Derek Hough: 21/30

Babyface and Allison Holker: 18/30 

Well? What’s your take on Monday night?

Who do you think was the best, and who will be headed out the door on the results show? Who will claim the Mirror Ball title?

Is Dancing with the Stars rigged, as Mr. Lochte dubiously said last week, in favor of the celebs producers want to see win?

Hit the comments and tell us your thoughts!