Season 29 of “Dancing with the Stars”, also known as “DWTS”, aired on September 14, 2020. Celebrities are paired with a professional dancer in hopes of winning money and receiving the Mirror Ball Trophy.

Tyra Banks takes the duties of being host and professional dancers Derek Hough, Bruno Tonioli, and Carrie Ann Inaba judging the couples. 

In the first episode of the season, some of the stars competing include Disney star Skai Jackson, Olympic figure skater Johnny Weir, Tiger King’s Carole Baskin, Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, 90’s rapper Nelly, actor Jesse Metcalfe, and former NFL player Vernon Davis.

From ballroom waltz to the jive, there is something for every viewer to enjoy. 

Themes of “DWTS” dances so far this season included Disney Night, dance dedications, and 80’s night. This season is more extravagant than ever before.

On week three for Disney night, Nev Shulman and his partner Jenna Johnson, tied for first place with Johnny Weir and his partner Britt Stewart, with scores of 24 for both couples. Nev and Jenna danced to an Argentine tango set to “Pirates of the Caribbean.” 

At the time of elimination, the couple that had to say goodbye to the competition was Carole Baskin and her partner, Pasha Pashkov. 

During week four, Skai Jackson and her partner, Alan Bersten, received the very first 10 of the season so far with the highest score of the night of 28. Skai dedicated the foxtrot dance to her late co-star and friend Cameron Boyce. The judges felt that this was the most emotional performance that they have seen and it left Carrie Ann Inaba in tears.

During 80s night for week five, Johnny Weir and his partner, Britt Stewart, danced to “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” The judges presented the couple with a score of 29, the highest score of the season at that point. 

In a turn of events, the bottom two couples up for elimination were Jesse Metcalfe and his partner, Sharna Burgess, as well as Vernon Davis and his partner, Peta Murgatroyd. The judges felt that both couples were just starting to discover their dancing journey, but ultimately came to a unanimous decision to save Vernon and Peta.

During episode six, Derek Hough returned to the “DWTS” stage with his dance partner and girlfriend, Hayley Erbert. They performed a Paso Doble, a dramatic Latin dance that needs to have strong staccato movements and sharpness. 

By the end of the night, only eleven couples were left. Vernon Davis and his partner, Peta Murgatroyd, are unfortunately not one of them and were eliminated from the competition. 

Episode 7, Villains’ Night, will air on ABC on October 26 at 8 pm. Be sure to watch and vote for your favorite dancing couple before the last commercial break by texting the star’s first name in all caps to 21523 or by going to the ABC website and voting there.