It’s Dedicated Dance Week on Dancing with the Stars, which means all the contestants will perform a routine dedicated to someone they care about.
And with no elimination tonight, the remaining celebrities can finally take a little breather.
However, the pressure is still on with everyone wanting to impress not only the judges but the viewers at home.
Here’s how everyone got on…
Blu Hydrangea and Simone Arena
Pic: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
Drag queen, Blu Hydrangea and her partner, Simone Arena honoured the American drag legend, RuPaul by dancing the Paso Doble to RuPaul’s hit Sissy That Walk.
RuPaul crowned Blu Hydrangea the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World in 2022.
“Oh my God, do you know how difficult it is to do that? I feel like you really had the technique down. You exceeded my expectations tonight,” commented Judge Arthur Gourounlian.
Blu kicked off the night with a score of 24 points.
Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne
Pic: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
Paralympic athlete, Jason Smyth and Karen Byrne dedicated their special Viennese Waltz of John Mayer’s Daughters to Smyth’s own daughters, Evie and Lottie.
And with a special appearance from Jason’s daughter’s Bunny, there wasn’t a dry eye left in the audience!
While Judge Loraine Barry thought there was a fight between Jason’s upper and lower body, all three judges agreed that he delivered a beautiful Viennese Waltz.
His performance earned him a total of 20 points.
Katja Mia and Ervinas Merfeldas
Pic: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
Katja Mia and professional partner Ervinas Merfeldas danced a Tango to Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves by Annie Lennox and Aretha Franklin in honour of her own sisters, Andrea and Fiona Louise.
“I have to say this tango, a bit like DWTS had something in it for everyone,” said Judge Brian Redmond.
“And then even for someone who’s a techy person like me, there were lots of great tango techniques as well. You delivered it with such power and confidence.”
She received 26 points in total.
David Whelan and Salome Chachua
Stars
Pic: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
Wild Youth singer, David Whelan honoured his father, Jim by dancing the Rumba with his partner, Salome Chachua to the Sting classic Fields of Gold.
His dad, a former dancer, himself, who competed and won competitions, still teaches Ballroom and Latin dancing.
“Listen, when you perform that Rumba, your hips, your hands, your head the whole body were screaming rumba to me,” noted Arthur, while Brian added that his performance was basically “perfection”.
His thoughtful dance earned him the highest score of the night with 28 points.
Davy Russell and Kylee Vincent
Pic: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
Former jockey Davy Russell and Kylee Vincent danced Contemporary Ballroom to Roar by Katy Perry in honour of Russell’s wife, Edelle.
“Davy you and I share the same song,” admitted Loraine.
“The lifts, the catches, the trust was absolutely spot on. A superb performance,” she added.
He received 26 points.
Eileen Dunne and Robert Rowiński
Stars
Pic: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
Former RTÉ newsreader, Eileen Dunne, who has been thrilling audiences for the last five weeks, with her iconic outfits alongside her professional dancer, Robert Rowiński, danced in honour of her friend and former colleague, Mary Kennedy.
The couple braved the Foxtrot to Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
“There were some timing issues, but the one thing you did as the professional you are, you smiled the entire way,” commented Brian. “Not your best night but I’m enjoying your journey all the way through.”
They took away 17 points.
Laura Fox and Denys Samson
Pic: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
2FM DJ and Ireland’s Fittest Family host, Laura Fox and her partner, Denys Samson celebrated Laura’s grandmother and biggest supporter, Nora AKA ‘Nono’.
The Galway native performed a Quickstep to Galway Girl by Sharon Shannon feat. Mundy.
“After that performance, Nono will be screaming ‘Yes, Yes!’ You were owning that quickstep and so in control,” shared Arthur.
She conjured up 25 points from the judges.
Rosanna Davison and Stephen Vincent
Stars
Pic: Kyran O’Brien /kobpix
Former Miss World, Rosanna Davison also dedicated her dance to her father, Chris de Burgh.
She danced the Rumba to the 1986 hit, Lady in Red alongside her pro dance partner, Stephen Vincent.
“On paper, you have the assets for the Rumba, and tonight you did good. Actually, you did very good,” expressed Loraine.
Their performance earned them 26 points.
