'Dancing with the Stars' Season 18 Recap: Week Six Performances (Party Anthems)

After a dreamy Disney week, the celebrities had to get their dance on to Party Anthems. They knew after Cody’s elimination that the pressure was on to perform to their highest potentials because Cody was in the middle of the pack and still got eliminated. The celebrities had a group dance right at the beginning of the episode set to “Party in the USA.”

Redfoo was our guest judge this week and we got the celebrities to shuffle just a bit for him. As a judge, he was looking for high performance value. As much as there was a party atmosphere, the contestants knew that there was an elimination looming tonight.

The contestants knew that they all made it to the halfway point of the show. The levels of stress, the continued pressure kept going through all the celebrities’ heads. Danica didn’t think she’d cry and she was in tears by week two. NeNe knew she had to suppress the haters around. The celebrities all loved being on the show, but they all want to make it all the way to the finals.

The Macy’s Stars of Dance performance was set to “Animals” by Martin Garrix and included both Kryoman and Phillip Chbeeb from both ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ and ‘America’s Best Dance Crew.’

NeNe & Tony
Dance - Cha-Cha
Party Anthem - “Hot in Herre” by Nelly

After week five’s performance, NeNe was in tears because she thought that Tony was upset with her. He tried to reassure her that everyone has had bad weeks and they grow stronger. The couple reconciled and moved on for this week’s rehearsals. NeNe began the performance alone but proceeded with side-by-side choreography. Once the couple got to the dancefloor, they weren’t as synchronized until they were in hold. Tony of course ended up without a shirt, and NeNe looked like she enjoyed the performance. Was it technically great? Not at all, but it was fun to watch.

Len found the performance fun and entertaining, but he wanted improved technique next week. Bruno called her one of a kind; he loved her motions, but her footing was in wrong place. Carrie Ann thought NeNe looked comfortable in her performance. Redfoo thought she owned the performance. Score: 33 (8,9,8,8)

Candace & Mark
Dance - Cha-Cha
Party Anthem - “I Love It” by Icona Pop

Mark thought that Candace was still thinking so hard and needed to figure out how to chill out. The cha-cha required hip movements and Mark was worried that Candace couldn’t channel the sexy attitude. Candace tried to pick a character and have her confidence shine through. As the music began Candace clearly showed nerves from the look on her face, but Mark definitely had her breaking out once the couple got past the first spin. I thought some of the movements were a little too slow and a time-waster. There was a little too much walking to be called content.

Bruno wanted to make sure that her flow was better. Carrie ann wanted to join her because of how much fun she was having. Redfoo called her “bling bling.” Len noted that her leg action improved from the samba; her arms needed to be more rhythmic. Score: 32 (8,8,8,8)

James & Peta
Dance - Quickstep
Party Anthem - “You’re the One that I Want” originally from Grease

After the first perfect score of the season the two knew their Disney performance was a highlight for the two. James was stressed out from all the hard steps and the posture that was needed for the routine. The couple was immediately in hold and I hated how James’s legs looked as he looked like he was shuffling a bit too much. He never found his footing. He was in time with Peta, but it only looked strong when they weren’t cutting across the dancefloor.

Carrie Ann thought James was a leading man, she wished he was sharper in his footwork. Redfoo thought they looked like shuffling crabs. Len thought the performance was nice, but the technique was poor because he flexed his knees. Bruno thought the combination of Broadway musical movements and Quickstep was wonderfully done. Score: 35 (9,9,8,9)

Danica & Val
Dance - Cha-Cha
Party Anthem - “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” By Whitney Houston

Danica was happy to be in second and thought she had a chance to win. The couple wanted to make sure that Danica was celebrating her mind and her spirit. Danica wanted to get in touch with her inner woman; she realized that she was growing strength and fortitude. I liked the slow opening to the routine which gave us a bit of rumba spirit, but they immediately got into the party atmosphere. Danica looked great as she turned around and I felt like the smile on her face was genuine. I also loved that Val let Danica have moments out of hold where she could shine.

Redfoo thought Danica looked like she was really in love. Len thought it was the best dance of the night (so far). Bruno loved the playful nature and appreciated the level of difficulty. Carrie Ann appreciated that Danica was blossoming into a full woman. Score: 36 (9,9,9,9)

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Meryl & Maks
Dance - Tango
Party Anthem - “Feel So Close” by Calvin Harris

Meryl was surprised by having nines and was honestly disappointed after last week’s performance. As the couple practiced, Meryl was stressed out and it started to psych out Maks. She knew that it was the high amount of pressure the two were under; Maks was worried that he was putting everything in his routines and he was still getting nines. Maks admitted to being terrified that he couldn’t deliver. The couple started off slow, but immediately produced one of the fastest tangos I’ve seen in a very long time that was filled with content and floor coverage. I appreciated that Maks left slow moments to help emphasize how much speed the two had.

Len loved the attack and purpose, he appreciated how special the routine was. Bruno thought there was a film noir attitude and compared it to seeing two killers going at it. Carrie Ann was speechless and from the heart she’s bringing out something new in Maks. Redfoo thought the routine was out if this world. Score: 40 (10,10,10,10)

Drew & Cheryl
Dance - Tango
Party Anthem - “Superfreak” by Rick James

Cheryl thought there was a dip happening, Drew assumed that he was going home soon if not this week. She decided to bring Lindsay and Witney in to help with the attitude. He had a nice moment with Witney too. Drew was worried more about the tango steps. I thought that the tango had content and I know that Cheryl puts a lot into her tangos (and Argentine tangos). Drew tried his best to both be in character and have improved posture. The perception of the dance was a problem because after Meryl’s tango, Drew’s looked much less impressive.

Bruno appreciated the pimp character, but the technique suffered. Carrie Ann thought he was relaxed and the life of the party. Redfoo loved his swag. Len loved the commitment to the performance even though there were a few mistakes in the dance. Score: 32 (8,9,7,8)

Charlie & Sharna
Dance - Cha-Cha
Party Anthem - "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" by C+C Music Factory

Charlie finally admitted to being stuck on the road and being under the pressure of practicing and touring. Even with all the motions, Sharna was concerned about making sure that Charlie had the correct cha-cha hip action. I thought the opening sequence was cute and very fitting for the routine. The combination of the hip-hop and the cha-cha motions were very creative on Sharna’s part. I thought the routine had a great amount of character and the blacklight section was visually creative.

Carrie Ann saw growth and change. Redfoo loved the multiple styles of the dance and wanted to get up with him. Len loved the musicality of the dance. Bruno thought Charlie captured the spirit of the dance, but didn’t lose the style of the cha-cha. Score: 36 (9,9,9,9)

Amy & Derek
Dance - Jive
Party Anthem - “Shout” by The Isley Brothers

After dancing last week, Derek wanted to make sure that the couple had attack. She finally thought she could be a top contender. While Amy thought that the couple should be dancing through the night, Derek immediately thought of the movie ‘Wedding Crashers’. The theme of the dance definately helped the two get into real character. I thought at first that Derek was trying to get away with doing twist motions, but the two actually had real jive content. Amy seemed shaky throughout the routine so her leg placement seemed unsure. If it was her prosthetics or her positioning of her legs, I’m not sure but she twitched a lot. The cartwheel was a nice ending to the routine.

Redfoo gave the performance a big wooo. Len loved watching Amy dance even though there mistakes. Bruno called her a superhero. Carrie Ann appreciated the kicks and flicks and thought it was better than any of the previous dancers. Score: 38 (9,10,9,10)

After all the dances, the three dancers in jeopardy were Drew & Cheryl, Candace & Mark, and Danica & Val. Danica was called safe first and she was followed by Candace & Mark. Drew & Cheryl were the couple eliminated.

Week Six Scores

High
Meryl & Maks - 40
Amy & Derek - 38
Charlie & Sharna - 36
Danica & Val - 36

Low
James & Peta - 35
NeNe & Tony - 33
Candace & Mark - 32

Eliminated
Drew & Cheryl - 32