The Dancing With The Stars season 33 episode 3, dubbed Soul Train Night, aired on October 7, 2024. This pre-taped episode featured performances inspired by the iconic music variety show Soul Train.
Former Soul Train dancer and actress Rosie Perez joined the judging panel alongside regulars Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough, and Bruno Tonioli.
Due to the pre-recorded nature of this Dancing With The Stars episode, no contestants were eliminated. Rather, to decide who could be eliminated, the scores from tonight will be added to those from the next live Tuesday broadcast.
The night saw unexpected shifts in the leaderboard, with Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong securing top spot for the third consecutive week.
No one sent home on Dancing With The Stars season 33 episode 3
As a pre-taped show, it did not feature a live voting component or elimination. All 11 remaining couples will advance to the next round regardless of their performances on this night.
This change in format allows for a cumulative scoring approach, where the judges' scores from this episode will be combined with those from the upcoming live Tuesday show which is themed Hair Metal Night.
The combined scores, along with viewer votes from the live episode, will determine which couple or couples face elimination in the next round.
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong secure top spot for third consecutive week
Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong maintained their reign at the top of the Dancing With The Stars season 33 leaderboard for the third week in a row.
The pair performed a high-energy cha-cha to Run-DMC's It's Tricky, which earned them the first 9s of the season. Their total score of 36 out of 40 set a new benchmark for the competition.
In preparation for their routine, Brandon brought in original Soul Train dancer Reggie Thornton to provide authentic guidance. This strategy paid off, as the judges praised the couple's performance for its rhythm and passion.
Guest judge Rosie Perez was particularly impressed, noting the pair's musicality and enthusiasm.
The routine showcased Chandler's growing confidence and Brandon's expert choreography. Their ability to capture the essence of the Soul Train era while executing technically challenging moves solidified their position as frontrunners in the competition.
Joey Graziadei delivers a jive performance
Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and his partner Jenna Johnson catapulted to second place with their electrifying jive to Shout by The Isley Brothers. The performance was a crowd-pleaser, earning a standing ovation from the audience and high praise from the judges.
The highlight of their routine was a perfectly executed backflip by Joey, drawing from his high school cheerleading experience. This risky move paid off, with Judge Derek Hough specifically commending its execution. Bruno Tonioli noted Joey's impeccable timing, stating he "never missed a beat."
Guest judge Rosie Perez didn't hold back in her assessment, remarking on Joey's "amazing" attractiveness. This combination of technical skill and charisma resulted in a total score of 34 out of 40, securing their position just behind the leaders.
Leaderboard shifts
The Dancing With The Stars season 33 episode 3 saw significant changes in the leaderboard standings, with some couples making surprising leaps while others faced unexpected challenges.
Dancing With The Stars season 33 leaderboard after Soul Train Night is as follows:
- Chandler Kinney & Brandon Armstrong: 36/40
- Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson: 34/40
- Jenn Tran & Sasha Farber: 31/40
- Stephen Nedoroscik & Rylee Arnold: 30/40
- Danny Amendola & Witney Carson: 30/40
- Phaedra Parks & Val Chmerkovskiy: 30/40
- Ilona Maher & Alan Bersten: 30/40
- Brooks Nader & Gleb Savchenko: 28/40
- Eric Roberts & Britt Stewart: 24/40
- Dwight Howard & Daniella Karagach: 23/40
- Reginald VelJohnson & Emma Slater: 21/40
Conclusion
The Soul Train Night episode of Dancing With The Stars season 33 brought a mix of nostalgia and contemporary flair to the ballroom. While Chandler Kinney and Brandon Armstrong continued their impressive streak at the top, Joey Graziadei's show-stopping jive and Jenn Tran's sultry waltz proved that the competition remains fierce.
With the potential for a double elimination looming in the next episode, the contestants will need to bring their best performances to stay in the running.