The Next Pro continued its competition tonight with the six remaining dancers facing a “wow” moment challenge that required them to create an unforgettable moment that incorporated one of guest judge Daniella Karagach’s signature moves into a viral-worthy routine.
Then, they visit the Australia Zoo for inspiration from the power and agility of animals in nature.
Hosted by wildlife conservationist and Dancing with the Stars Season 34 Len Goodman Mirrorball Champion Robert Irwin, Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro, began with 12 exceptional up-and-coming dancers who moved into one house to compete in a grueling audition process, all vying for a coveted spot as a pro dancer on Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars. Three-time Mirrorball champion Mark Ballas and his mother, Shirley Ballas “The Queen of Latin” served as judges.
Now that they’re down to the final six and there’s very little separating them, Shirley said, “What I’m looking for is unshakable confidence. That’s the hallmark of a brilliant professional.”
And Mark advised them, “Learn to embrace it. Pressure creates diamonds.”
Then Daniella took center stage for a performance that included several wow moments.
She explained the challenge, “That opening number you just saw included three moves from Dancing with the Stars that went viral and were copied by millions of people around the world. Those moves included Val’s iconic knee walk, Witney’s leg lift, and my airwalk. For your challenge, you need to create a dance that includes one of these moves and at least one of your own unique wow moves, all while dancing a contemporary style.”
Here’s our spoiler-filled recap of who went home on The Next Pro tonight, and who made it through to week 6.
Who was eliminated on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro tonight?
Erik Linder
Who’s left on Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro?
Adele Zaikman
AJ Pritchard
Allen Genkin
Nina Mayster
Selena Hamilton
Here’s how the night broke down:
This week, the guys got to select their partners. Allen chose Adele and both AJ and Erik chose Selena, leaving Nina out in the cold. So then Selena had to decide who she wanted to dance with and she picked Erik, meaning that AJ moved over to Nina.
AJ Pritchard and Nina Mayster
Daniella said: “You both definitely understood the assignment. How did you choose your wow moment?”
AJ told her: “From mistakes and being messy and stupid in the studio and listening to the music.”
Nina said: “Feeling our bodies.”
AJ finished: “That’s where Koala cuddle hit.”
Daniella continued: “That Koala move, it is so fun. I have not seen that done rotating before and that’s a huge part of Dancing with the Stars. That was awesome.”
Mark said: “That was great. For me the wow moment was a simple moment when Nina, you fell backward completely trusting AJ. There was total trust. That tells me that whatever went on this week in rehearsal, there’s a new vibe and bond going on here.”
Shirely said: “Actually, I agree with you on some of those things. You didn’t just have one wow moment, you actually had a few there. Your knee walks are absolutely fantastic. I loved the Koala move. I might actually try that later with my son. AJ, I think you came out of your comfort zone today. You took off your shirt, your partner skills were great, you really did well together. Nina, let me congratulate you on your musicality. Some lovely timings and some lovely senses of freedom. You excelled yourself. Congratulations to both of you.”
Allen Genkin and Adele Zaikman
Mark said: “You two danced together so well, can you tell us what’s your wow move?”
Allen answered: “There’s a cave man walk and one is called the Allen copter.”
Mark continued: “Allen, you didn’t hit the brief last week, but you hit it today and you hit it hard. I loved the Allen copter. It was really scary; it was really fast and then for that split second where you were handsfree and she was like a Hula Hoop around your neck, and you caught her and it stopped on a dime, that’s a wow moment. Adele, if this is you first time doing contemporary ever, wow. Earlier I said sometimes when the pressure is really high, pressure creates diamonds. You are a diamond.”
Shirley said: “You are beyond a diamond for me. I think you are one of the best female dancers I’ve seen in 66 countries of Dancing with the Stars or Strictly Come Dancing and you know I am not a very praiseworthy person really. But you darling are the real deal. Allen, I appreciated what you did as a partner. I can see that you are wonderful to dance with because this girl has a tremendous sense of freedom when she dances.”
Daniella said: “I am so proud of how this came out. The fact that you started with your caveman walk was brilliant and you feel like you’ve been dancing together for ages. I love you two together.”
Selena Hamilton and Erik Linder
Shirley said: “I am conflicted. Tell me, what was your wow move.”
Selena replied: “Sometimes the wow is in the silence. That was our wow moment. I feel like we kind of built a dance of wow.”
Shirley continued: “In my experience, a silent moment doesn’t just mean stand still. Erik, I would have liked for you to have let yourself go even more than you did. It was really nice but is it nice enough to come across to 25 million on TV? I am not quite sure. For you young lady, I had said to Mark, I think she might give Dani a run for her money and that didn’t quite happen for me unfortunately. That doesn’t mean it’s not great dancing. I appreciate the quality but as the contemporary dancer, I expected a little bit more from you.”
Mark said: “For me personally, I loved that you both did the knee walk, that was in the brief of the wow, but everything else I picked up on was quality, but the brief was create a wow moment and there wasn’t like this presage high lift that spun and was crazy. Erik, you’re kind of a dark horse here and I am intrigued, but I need a little bit more.”
Daniella said: “You guys looked like two pros who had been dancing contemporary and your chemistry is so special, but the challenge was to have a wow moment.”
Because Erik and Selena failed to deliver a wow moment as was assigned in the brief for the challenge, they were the two dancers considered for elimination with Erik getting the news that it was his last dance in the competition.
“I knew I was taking a risk,” Erik said. “I loved and enjoyed every moment of that routine. I am proud of it and I don’t regret a single moment. I am happy I got to take this opportunity and grow as a dancer and a person. I allowed myself to kind of speak to my dancing and I couldn’t have done it without Selena and everybody here. I understand the decision that are made and I respect it.”
Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, with episodes available to stream the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
