(Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you haven’t watched Monday’s episode of “Dancing With the Stars”)
There was twice the risk on Monday when two couples were eliminated from “Dancing With the Stars” on semifinals night.
The contestants also faced double the pressure as they had to dance twice, including the complicated Trio Challenge where they were joined by another pro.
UFC fighter Paige VanZant set a very high bar to kick off the show, performing a peacock-clad samba with partner Mark Ballas and Alan Bersten.
“Shut the front door, it is on,” judge Carrie Ann Inaba told the MMA fighter.
VanZant also sparked the most awkward moment of the night, when co-host Erin Andrews fueled rumors of a romance between Paige and Alan by commenting on the size of his peacock feathers.
Boyz II Men singer Wanya Morris had a rough time last week — including when he slipped on a dropped bandana — which he admitted made him “feel useless,” so Monday night was all about boosting his confidence again.
While the judges loved his Paso Doble with Lindsay Arnold and Witney Carson, it was too little, too late.
“It’s not about last week, it’s about this week,” Len Goodman told Morris, but ultimately it was about last week — and despite a perfect score, he was ultimately eliminated.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown also got rave reviews from the judges after his energetic Argentine tango with two women.
“Beautifully handled,” Bruno Tonioli told him, while Len Goodman said: “It is amazing how you have developed as a dancer and a performer … great job.”
Once again, Brown’s comeback was too late i
“GMA” weather anchor Ginger Zee also performed a Paso Doble with Val Chmerkovskiy and Artem Chigvintsev. The trio described themselves as “honey, mustard and chicken nugget,” and while it may sound like a fattening combination of fast food, their dance was flawless and scored a perfect score.
“It was one of the most intense and surreal Paso Dobles I have ever seen,” Tonioli told them.
Nyle DiMarco’s retro jive with Peta Murgatroyd and Jenna Johnson to the backdrop of a ’50s-style soda shop was called a little “hectic” but had “the innocent charm of child’s play,” Tonioli said, as the judges acknowledged that it’s one of the most difficult dances.
Later in the night, the deaf “America’s Next Top Model” contestant danced blindfolded in a challenge that cut off another of his senses.
See video below of his blindfolded Tango.
“Dancing With the Stars” airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC.