Dancing With the Stars Season 33, Episode 2 Recap: Oscars Night Brings Glitz, Glamour, and a Shocking Double Elimination

It was a glamorous evening on Dancing With the Stars as Season 33, Episode 2 celebrated the magic of Hollywood with "Oscars Night." The contestants paid tribute to some of the most iconic films in history while facing the first double elimination of the season. All that glitters may be gold, but for two unlucky stars, their journey on the dance floor came to an abrupt end.

A Night of Cinematic Dances and Surprising Twists

The night kicked off with a behind-the-scenes look at the DWTS Oscars red carpet, filled with excitement and glitz as the stars prepared to pay homage to Hollywood's greatest films. The dancers were challenged to incorporate the drama, passion, and elegance of classic and modern cinema into their performances. From romantic Rumbas to intense Paso Dobles, each couple was tasked with embodying the spirit of the silver screen.

Jenn Tran’s Tango Hits a Snag

The evening's first performance was delivered by The Bachelorette star Jenn Tran, who took on a tango to A Little Party Never Killed Nobody from The Great Gatsby. While the dance was visually stunning, the performance faced an unexpected technical hiccup when the music became inaudible in the ballroom. Despite the mishap, Jenn and her partner Pasha Pashkov persevered, impressing the judges with their professionalism and earning a score of 19 out of 30. The judges acknowledged the difficulty of dancing without the music, yet commended the pair for maintaining their composure.

Anna Delvey Takes a Quick Step Back

Convicted scammer Anna Delvey, who has been a polarizing figure on the show, brought a touch of drama to the ballroom with a Quickstep to Suddenly I See from The Devil Wears Prada. Despite her best efforts, the performance lacked the energy needed to capture the quick, bouncing nature of the dance. Delvey, joined by her friend Julia Fox during rehearsals, reflected on the challenges of dancing, particularly "jumping around." While the judges appreciated her effort, her score of 17 out of 30 landed her near the bottom of the leaderboard.

Chandler Kinney Dominates Again

Disney star Chandler Kinney continued to dominate the competition with her emotional and graceful Rumba to What Was I Made For? from Barbie. Her elegant movements and strong connection with partner Brandon Armstrong earned her the highest score of the night, 24 out of 30. This marked the second week in a row that Chandler topped the leaderboard, solidifying her as one of the frontrunners in Season 33. The judges praised her performance for its emotional depth and precision, with Bruno Tonioli calling her dance "pure cinematic magic."

Reginald VelJohnson Pays Tribute to Die Hard

Reginald VelJohnson, best known for his role as Al Powell in Die Hard, brought a touch of action movie nostalgia to the ballroom with his Paso Doble to Ode to Joy. Dressed in his iconic police uniform, VelJohnson paid tribute to both the film and his co-star Bruce Willis, reminiscing about his first major movie role. While his performance was filled with heart and enthusiasm, it lacked the technical precision the judges were looking for. VelJohnson scored 15 out of 30, placing him at the bottom of the leaderboard. However, his positivity and infectious energy continued to win over the audience.

Stephen Nedoroscik Channels Superman

Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik delivered a high-flying Foxtrot inspired by Superman, earning his first 8 of the season from the judges. While his performance was uplifting and filled with charisma, judge Bruno Tonioli reminded him to harness his energy and excitement in future performances. Stephen and his partner Rylee Arnold scored 22 out of 30, landing them comfortably in the middle of the leaderboard.

Ilona Maher Lifts Her Way to Success

Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher took on the challenge of performing a Salsa inspired by Dirty Dancing, and her routine did not disappoint. Maher and partner Alan Bersten completed multiple complicated lifts, showcasing both strength and grace. The judges were impressed with the athleticism and energy of the performance, awarding the couple 21 out of 30 points. Carrie Ann Inaba praised the duo for their bold and daring lifts, while Bruno admired the chemistry and connection between the pair.

The Double Elimination Shocker

As the night drew to a close, the first double elimination of Season 33 took place, sending shockwaves through the ballroom. 90210 star Tori Spelling and her partner Pasha Pashkov were the first to be eliminated after their Rumba to Lady Marmalade from Moulin Rouge! failed to impress the judges, earning them 19 out of 30. Spelling’s departure was unexpected, as she had shown improvement from the previous week.

In an even more surprising turn of events, socialite Anna Delvey was also sent home. When asked by host Julianne Hough what she would take away from her experience on the show, Delvey cryptically responded, “Nothing,” in a moment that left both the audience and judges stunned.

Full Leaderboard for Dancing With the Stars Season 33, Episode 2

• Chandler Kinney & Brandon Armstrong (Rumba) – 24 out of 30

• Stephen Nedoroscik & Rylee Arnold (Paso Doble) – 22 out of 30

• Joey Graziadei & Jenna Johnson (Rumba) – 22 out of 30

• Dwight Howard & Daniella Karagach (Foxtrot) – 22 out of 30

• Phaedra Parks & Val Chmerkovskiy (Foxtrot) – 21 out of 30

• Danny Amendola & Witney Carson (Jive) – 21 out of 30

• Ilona Maher & Alan Bersten (Salsa) – 21 out of 30

• Brooks Nader & Gleb Savchenko (Quickstep) – 20 out of 30

• Jenn Tran & Sasha Farber (Tango) – 19 out of 30

• Tori Spelling & Pasha Pashkov (Rumba) – 19 out of 30

• Anna Delvey & Ezra Sosa (Quickstep) – 17 out of 30

• Eric Roberts & Britt Stewart (Waltz) – 15 out of 30

• Reginald VelJohnson & Emma Slater (Paso Doble) – 15 out of 30

What’s Next on Dancing With the Stars?

Due to the Vice Presidential debate, there will be no new episode of Dancing With the Stars next week. However, the competition will return with a double-header the following week. On October 8, the contestants will take on Soul Train Night, where they’ll dance to classic soul hits. The very next day, October 9, will feature Heavy Metal Hair Night, promising high-energy routines and headbanging rock anthems.

With the competition heating up and the first eliminations in the books, fans can look forward to more stunning performances and unexpected twists. Who will rise to the top, and who will face the next elimination? Tune in to Dancing With the Stars Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+ to find out.