Skip to Content

In any season of Dancing With the Stars, the final competitions tend to be highly emotional affairs.

But last night’s episode was almost certainly the show’s most heartbreaking to date.

James Van Der Beek DWTS Photo
(ABC)

Whatever the case, it was without a doubt his season’s most shocking elimination.

At the start of the show, we were down to the top five contestants with the season finale looming.

As has been the case several times this season, Hannah Brown had an emotional reaction to the criticism she’s been receiving from the judges.

“I just want to say I’m so sorry if it seemed like I was dismissive of you trying to help me,” the former Bachelorette said.

“I had a really hard day that day, it was really emotional learning my contemporary and I didn’t handle my emotions well and I know you’re trying to help me. … I just wanted to say I’m so sorry.”

Photo via Instagram

Hannah performed a contemporary dance to Selena Gomez’s "Lose You to Love Me.”

She said the song’s lyrics brought to mind of her breakup with Jed Wyatt following her season on The Bachelorette.

“I thought he was honest and he wasn’t. … I didn’t know what was next, really? Like, what just happened to my life?”

Hannah added that "the disappointment and the heartbreak is what has made me strong,” throughout the competition.

She went on to say that she hopes to find love in the near future, but adds, “I am totally fine being on my own.”

Hannah Brown at the PCAs
(Getty)

We’re guessing Hannah might sing a slightly different tune if the Bachelorette producers come calling again. Just sayin’.

Hannah’s feelings were obviously genuine, but the night’s most emotional performance was unquestionably James Van Der Beek’s.

Prior to hitting the floor, the beloved actor revealed that he had experienced a devastating heartbreak just days before Monday’s performance:

“My wife Kimberly and I went through every expecting parent’s worst nightmare. We lost the baby,” an emotional Van Der Beek said in his video package.

“The little soul that we had expected to welcome into our family took a shortcut to whatever lies beyond.”

James Van Der Beek on Red Carpet
(Getty)

“You never know why these things happen, that’s what I’ve been telling my kids," the father of five added.

"All you know is that it brings you closer together, it breaks you open, it opens up your heart, it deepens your appreciation,” the actor continued.

“It makes you more human.”

Van Der Beek went on to perform an emotional foxtrot, which he dedicated to his wife, who had insisted he still compete.

The Hollywood Gossip Logo

But while the crowd was rooting for him with all they had, in the end, it was Van Der Beek and Ally Brooke in the bottom two.

James was sent home as Ally pleaded with the judges to allow her to give Van Der Beek her spot in the competition.

And so, it’s Hannah, Ally, Kel Mitchell, and Lauren Alaina headed into the homestretch.

Tune in next week to find out who will take home the mirrored disco ball!