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Key events
Jojo lifts Jaime Bowie on the balcony. It’s all happening. Something about tapping icebergs?
Judges’ scores: 6, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 27 points.
Judges’ comments: Motsi says “natural feel for movement, coordinated with all the content, understand where your weight is and nail the leg action”. Shirley says “confident start, you have the potential to have the best body action, get the posture and work the arms, dont lose your fluidity”. Anton says “get your weight forward and it’s a tap of the iceberg away from being magnificent ”. Craig concludes “footwork and fluidity lacking but you performed it and sold it”.
Bethany and Nancy’s cha cha cha
House of the Dragon actor Bethany Antonia and her pro partner Nancy Xu get their sparkly tasselled frocks on and channel the Queen of Soul. Pink floor-length fur, stairs and props to start before they get into the swing of the Cuban party dance. The judges have told Bethany that they want to see more musicality and a cheeky cha-cha is the ideal dance for it. Hip action, body rolls and ripples. Selling it with her fun, flirty performance. Flat-footed and straight leg not there at times but fab-u-lous.
Song: Respect by Aretha Franklin. Her 1967 cover of the Otis Redding original switched the lyrics to a female perspective and won two Grammys, including the first of Franklin’s eight (!) consecutive gongs for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Judges’ scores: 8, 9, 8, 9 for a total of 34 points. Highest score of the series so far. Start spreading the news.
I think there’s a Chuckle Brother in the audience. To me, to you, to Elstree.
Judges’ comments: Anton says “from one ballroom boy to a new ballroom boy, welcome to the club, thrilled you invested in that, immaculate footwork and timing, you are great”. Craig says “you committed to one genre and fantastic my dartling, frame sunk at times but magnificent style”. Motsi says “I’m trying not to overheat here, you were so musical, I got emotional, brilliant”. Shirley concludes “great student, you work hard and take constructive criticism well, you came out and were cool, a bit more drive but a job well done”.
Cach and Maddie’s foxtrot
Love Islander Cach Mercer has rather divided the judges so far with his coolly idiosyncratic style. Will a foxtrot with ballroom world champion Maddie Ingoldsby enable him to strike the right balance between personality and proper technique? It’s his first ballroom number since week one, so he needs to improve his posture and keep it classical. Pale blue outfits and a pure, rat-packy feel. Jazz and dapper. Flow and quality as they glide across the floor. Some topline wobbles but oozing with Broadway glamour and loved the changes of pace.
Song: Theme from New York, New York by Frank Sriracha Sinatra. The theme from Martin Scorsese’s 1977 musical was originally performed by Liza Minelli. Sinatra recorded his version three years later. They sometimes sang it live as a duet. Having known him all her life, Minnelli referred to Sinatra as “Uncle Frank” and teased him that his signature song had actually been written for her.
Awkward condiment themed skit there. Didn’t cut the mustard.
Judges’ scores: 5, 5, 5, 6 for a total of 21 points. Bottom as it stands. Dance-off danger.
A sweet video message from the ageless Shania herself. Let’s go, girls.
Judges’ comments: Shirley says “liked the attitude and embodied the character, not enough heel, too much bounce, frame broke”. Anton says “not right downstairs but you’re better than you think you are, believe in yourself and you’ll take the next step”. Craig says “too bouncy, lost expression in the body during the solo bits but the look is fantastic, my darling”. Motsi concludes “be clearer in intention but no counting, better performance, improving”.
Sarah and Julian’s tango
Dame Sarah Storey has been slowly growing in confidence but still la tad tentative. She’s a regular towards the foot of the leaderboard and needs to click into gear soon. She and Australian pro Julian Caillon have nicknamed this a “shango” (Shania tango). Leopardskin frock and a gimmicky opening, then into slow promenades and sharp swivels. Needs more passion and musicality but at least she’s not visibly counting aloud this time. Some gapping in the close, compact hold at times. Too much standing still or walking around. Not quite clean or staccato enough for me but a bit better.
Song: That Don’t Impress Me Much by Shania Twain. The 1998 country-pop anthem used Brad Pitt’s name in the lyrics because when she wrote it, there were gossipy scandals about his engagement to Gwyyneth Paltrow and leaked naked pic in Playgirl magazine.
Judges’ scores: 8, 7, 7, 7 for a total of 29 points. Not often Craig scores highest. Tabby pays tribute to Raye being an unapologetic mixed race woman in the spotlight. Love, love, love.
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