Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3 Recap: Which Couples Gave a Soulful Performance?

Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3
Photo Credit: Christopher Willard/Disney

Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3 paid tribute to the iconic music and dancing featured on Soul Train. The contestants all performed to beloved hits by such legends as Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Jackson 5, and Alicia Keys. And the list goes on.

Last time, the first elimination of the season was also a double elimination. In a somewhat surprising result, Tori Spelling and her partner Pasha Pashkov were sent home, along with con artist Anna Delvey and her pro, Ezra Sosa.

Tori and Pasha landed in 10th place on the leaderboard after their Rumba. Meanwhile, Anna and Ezra’s Quickstep landed them in 11th place. Still, both Eric Roberts and Reginald VelJohnson escaped elimination despite being at the bottom of the leaderboard.

There was plenty of controversy about Anna’s parting words to Julianne. When asked what she took away from DWTS, Anna said, “Nothing.”

What happened in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3?

Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3
Photo Credit: Eric McCandless/Disney

It was a fabulous night of dancing, with the contestants performing a wide range of styles for Soul Train Night. The ballroom menu included the Foxtrot, Rumba, Cha-Cha, Jive, and Quickstep. DWTS even threw a Viennese Waltz into the mix!

I loved the opening number, which was choreographed by Luam. Soul Train alum Popin’ Pete of The Electric Boogaloos danced throughout the night. He was amazing! Plus, the Soul Train Line was everything! Hosts Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough joined, as did judges Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli.

And guest judge, and former Soul Train dancer, Rosie Perez joined the celebration. For Rosie, she wanted to see the contestants bring “the boogie.”

Who was eliminated in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3?

Photo Credit: Christopher Willard/Disney

No one was eliminated on Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3!

There was no elimination on Soul Train Night. However, another episode of DWTS is airing on October 8, which will spotlight Hair Metal Night. All of the couples will dance to rock anthems.

Of course, rock royalty will grace the ballroom when KISS legend Gene Simmons joins the judging panel. Now that should be interesting. I’m not sure how much he knows about dance, but I’m sure he will have some unique takes on the performances.

All of the judges’ scores and viewer votes from Soul Train Night will be added to the totals from Hair Metal Night. And the lowest-scoring couple will be eliminated.

NBA star Dwight Howard and his partner, Daniella Karagach, and Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater were at the bottom of the leaderboard. It was a surprise to see fan favorites Dwight and Daniella there. Unfortunately, they didn’t have much time to practice their Cha-Cha. And let me just say that the audience loves Reginald and Emma’s sweet friendship. Reginald always exudes such positivity and light.

Who got the top score of the night in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3?

Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong got the highest score in Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3.

For the third week in a row, actress Chandler and Brandon topped the leaderboard. The judges awarded them 36 out of 40 points. And let’s be clear –  they deserved it. Their sexy, funky, hip-hop-infused Cha-Cha to It’s Tricky by Run-DMC was incredible!

Carrie Ann told the couple, “You guys together, that was partnership. That was such great commitment. Amazing partnership. Cool vibe. All of the above. There,” she added.

In addition, Rosie also loved the performance. “Your routine personified the feeling of soul and Soul Train. As a hip-hop choreographer, I … I just loved it. Your musicality was there, your rhythm was there, and your passion was there,” she stated. “The only critique that I want to say to you, young girl, is let your sexuality explode.” Okay then!

Next, Derek weighed in. “And Brandon, great choreography, my man. Like really great job. The fusion of Cha-Cha, of soul. I mean, man, that was so good,” he said.

Finally, Bruno gave his two cents. “Style, content, technique. Spot on. And huge, huge star quality. We have another Zendaya [Coleman] there,” he said. Bruno referenced the actress Zendaya, who competed on Season 16 of DWTS.

What were the judge’s scores in DWTS Season 33, Episode 3?

  • Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong (Cha-Cha) – 36 points
  • Joey Graziadei and Jenna Johnson (Jive) – 34 points
  • Jenn Tran and Sasha Farber (Viennese Waltz) – 31 points
  • Danny Amendola and Witney Carson (Foxtrot) – 30 points
  • Ilona Maher and Alan Bersten (Foxtrot) – 30 points
  • Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy (Quickstep) – 30 points
  • Stephen Nedoroscik and Rylee Arnold (Quickstep) – 30 points
  • Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko (Rumba) – 28 points
  • Eric Roberts and Britt Stewart (Foxtrot) – 24 points
  • Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach (Cha-Cha) – 23 points
  • Reginald VelJohnson and Emma Slater (Foxtrot) – 21 points

Joey and Jenna’s Jive was fantastic. A confident Joey even added a backflip. Carrie Ann said, “You are so talented! It was so sharp, so clean, every movement crisp.”

However, Rosie had another view of Joey’s performance. “I have to say that, young man, you know how to boogie, and you know how to boogie well,” Rosie said. “And I have to tell you, your sex appeal is amazing.” It’s true. Joey unleashed his inner sexy. This was one of my favorite routines of the night.

Plus, Bachelorette star Jenn Trann and her partner, Sasha Farber, delivered a sexy Viennese Waltz. Meanwhile, Carrie Ann and Julianne dropped some not-so-subtle hints that their chemistry might be continuing outside the ballroom. And they finally received some good scores from the judges!

I also thought that Danny Amendola and Witney Carson’s Foxtrot was great. Danny was finally showing his personality and his ability to be suave.

Once again, it was a surprise that Dwight and Daniella landed at the bottom of the leaderboard. “That was hard to watch,” Carrie Ann told the duo after their routine. All of the judges suggested more rehearsal time.

Final thoughts on Dancing with the Stars Season 33, Episode 3

After Alfonso touted how hot and sexy Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko’s Rumba would be, I expected a bit more. The judges told Brooks that she needed to link her movements. Of course, the dance was so steamy that Derek stood up and declared, “That dance made me pregnant.” And let me just say that Brooks looked steamed when she saw her scores.

My other favorite line of the night was when Bruno told Phaedra Parks and Val Chmerkovskiy, “Val and I look like extras in Boogie Nights.” IYKYK. I couldn’t stop laughing.

I predict that Reginald and Emma will be sent home next because he is always at the bottom of the leaderboard. The judges and fans love his enthusiasm, joy, and his sweet relationship with Emma. During her critique, Carrie Ann started to cry. “There’s something so sweet and innocent when you dance that I wish I could give you tens and tens,” she said, noting how wonderful his partnership with Emma is. However, this season has already served up a surprise elimination with Tori’s ouster.

We will find out who leaves the ballroom on Hair Metal Night! See you then!

Dancing with the Stars Season 33 airs on Tuesday, October 8th at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+.

TELL US – WHAT DID YOU THINK OF DANCING WITH THE STARS SEASON 33, EPISODE 3? WHICH ROUTINE WAS YOUR FAVORITE? WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE SENT HOME NEXT?

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