Week 8 of Dancing With The Stars: A Beloved Star Goes Home on Whitney Houston Night

good then The is a treat: Host Billy Porter opened Week 8 with a performance of “How Will I Know” to kick off the Whitney Houston night. A Away Better opener than some of those crazy farts from weeks and years ago! The night before the competition started, Porter even had a chance to explain his role: “I’m going to look for storytelling. I look for connection and intention.”

Not stated, but implied: Be kind to mrs. Houston’s memory!

Reality TV star Harry Jowsey (Too hot to touch) with partner Rylee Arnold. Arnold’s bandaged shoulders (for unknown reasons) were a bit distracting during rehearsal as Jowsey spoke of an average Joe who couldn’t dance a plum lick. Then Arnold took him to a ballet class, which was not at all different from their Viennese Waltz (performed to Houston’s “I Have Nothing”). Jowsey, on the other hand, looked dapper in his crumpled blue velvet suit. “They’ve grown exponentially,” Porter said. “It’s about telling stories. The temptation was about a 5. I have to see it at a 10.” Score: 28 out of 40

Actor Barry Williams (The Brady gang) with partner Peta Murgatroyd. Peta makes this collaboration look incredible, but Williams can only hide behind her talent and beauty for so long. He needs to know he’s living on borrowed time, so just raising your arms and swaying your hips to “Didn’t We Almost Have It All” ain’t rumba, man. However, the judges were friendly. “You have captured the heart of America,” said Judge Derek Hough. “The way you used your arms. There were a few things here and there, but great rumba, Barry. Add up points: 32 out of 40

Actress Alyson Hannigan (American cake) with partner Sasha Farber. Hannigan began talking about how the Houston song “Greatest Love of All” taught her to love herself as a child. “This song meant so much to me,” she said. Wow. Talk about putting a lot of pressure on your contemporary dance! But something happens to the celebrities when they are allowed in the ballroom barefoot. Hannigan gave her most confident performance yet. “Simple, effective, sincere and true,” said juror Bruno Tonioli. “I definitely saw another side of you and I liked it.” She deserved at least another 9, but only got one from Porter. Add up points: 33 out of 40

Singer-songwriter Jason Mraz with partner Daniella Karagach. The duo was instructed to dance to “Higher Love” — a song that Mraz says is similar to his song “I’m Yours.” The pop singer acted as if he had two left feet during rehearsal, but brought so much confidence to his samba despite a failed rally. He was clearly having the time of his life, but Porter hated the way he was saying the lyrics throughout the performance. Serious, Therefore? But what does it matter? Porter: “It’s disturbing. Save that for when you’re on Broadway, because that’s where you’re singing at the same time.” Score: 33 out of 40

Charity Lawson (The Bachelorette) with partner Artem Chigvintsev. The reality star flashed a big smile as the music got louder and louder. She was visibly engrossed in the moment as she danced the Viennese Waltz to “I Will Always Love You” in her stunning crystal-encrusted dress. Just beautiful. Wait, Porter said that! “My courage, so sophisticated, so stylish,” Tonioli said. “You were so busy with that a cappella section. Everything followed the text beautifully.” Score: 36 out of 40

Ariana Madix (Vanderpump Rules) with partner Pasha Pashkov. Madix is ​​perfectly combined with the paso doble and the song “Queen of the Night”. The woman is enjoying a moment in the midst of her newfound fame Vanderpump Rules with sandwiches and cocktails to accompany their new business ventures. I’m sure she’d love a mirror ball trophy to top it off. She will definitely make it to the final three. “You don’t miss a beat,” said Judge Carrie Ann Inaba. “You attack with everything you have.” Score: 39 out of 40

Actress Xochitl Gomez (Doctor Strange in the multiverse of madness) with partner Val Chmerkovskiy. We learned more about the ankle injury that Gomez tried to ignore during last week’s show. She suffered a bad sprain while practicing the team dance, and it was still sore this week when they practiced their tango to “I Want To Dance With Somebody.” But if it was still rough in the ballroom on Tuesday, then yes Certainly did not arrive. Gomez remains the leading candidate to beat. “It went smoothly. So absolutely flawless,” Tonioli said. “Girl, you are a black panther,” Inaba said. Score: A perfect 40

The dance off.

Madix and Pashkov were allowed to sit out this time because they were at the top of the rankings last week.

Hannigan vs. Jowsey. The two had to compete against each other in the rumba. Jowsey and Arnold were much louder and sexier with their moves, but as Hough said, Hannigan “had the edge.” Oh, and Porter called Jowsey a stump for Arnold to dance around. Sweet. I guess he didn’t get Porter’s vote! “You have both grown tremendously and it has been a real joy to see. “Harry, you told the story,” Inaba said. “Allison, you danced little circles around Harry.” winner: Hannigan

Mraz vs. Williams. The two were given the task of making the salsa. It was hard to focus on as both men made BIG moves to get the jury’s attention. It was so close until Greg Brady opened his shirt to reveal his freshly shaved chest. The crowd chanted his name after it was over! Afterward, Mraz knew he was toast. “Barry, when I grow up I want to be just like you,” Hough said. “I mean, the turn. The movement and you are such a competitor! It was great to see and I loved it!” winner: Williams

Gomez vs. Lawson. I love a good pair of frilly pants, so I wanted to give Lawson the edge here with her cha-cha, but Gomez is just too sophisticated, so bright, so perfect to dance. As host Alfonso Ribeiro said, it was “a clash of the titans.” “It was really good and exciting to see,” Inaba said. “They were both competitive, but one of them was a little more competitive. I really enjoyed watching this. It looked like the tiger’s eye. Both of you, fantastic.” Winner: Lawson.

The final three were Williams, Mraz and Lawson. But it was time for Williams to go. He stopped talking to Ribeiro and Julianne Hough.

Next week is Taylor Swift night.