Dancing with the Stars: A Night of Highs, Lows, and Emotional Farewells
Table of Contents
- 1. Dancing with the Stars: A Night of Highs, Lows, and Emotional Farewells
- 2. Mickey Joe Harte Bids Farewell
- 3. Elaine Crowley’s Salsa Struggles
- 4. Mixed Fortunes for Other Contestants
- 5. Standout Performances
- 6. Looking Ahead
- 7. Rhys McClenaghan Shines with Cha Cha Cha on Dancing with the Stars
- 8. How has your experience as a pageant contestant prepared you for the challenges of competing on Dancing with the Stars?
The latest episode of Dancing with the stars delivered a rollercoaster of emotions, with standout performances, unexpected missteps, and the departure of a beloved contestant. Mickey Joe Harte, the renowned singer-songwriter, became the first celebrity to exit the competition this season, leaving fans and judges alike reflecting on his journey.
Mickey Joe Harte Bids Farewell
Harte,best known for his hit “we’ve Got The World,” earned 28 points for his foxtrot,which the judges unanimously agreed was his best performance yet. Head judge Loraine Barry praised him, saying, “I am going to christen you a ballroom dancer. You have a lovely frame. You moved wonderfully.”
Despite the glowing feedback, Harte’s time on the show came to an end. Expressing his disappointment, he said, “It’s one of those things. It’s her first year, and she worked really hard to get me to this level,” referring to his partner, Daniella Roze.
Elaine Crowley’s Salsa Struggles
It wasn’t just harte who faced challenges.Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley, who had aced her salsa in rehearsals, stumbled during the live performance. “I made such a mess of it,” she admitted, visibly upset.Barry consoled her, saying, “I saw your dress rehearsal, you nailed it… so I understand your disappointment.” Judge Karen Byrne encouraged Crowley to be kinder to herself, adding, “Don’t be so disappointed. you made a mistake, you kept going. Be proud of yourself.” She finished with 20 points.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Contestants
Content creator Kayleigh Trappe opened the show with a cha cha cha to Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso,” but the judges felt her performance fell “flat.” Despite this, she secured 24 points. Meanwhile, chef Kevin Dundon found himself at the bottom of the leaderboard again, scoring just 18 points for his quickstep. Judge Brian Redmond offered a glimmer of hope, noting, “It was quite dapper in places.”
Meteorologist Joanna Donnelly, who had wowed the judges with her waltz the previous week, returned to Latin dance but saw her score drop to 19. Byrne observed, “At times you were ahead of the music,” but also noted a significant betterment in Donnelly’s confidence. “Week one, you were terrified,” Byrne recalled, adding that Donnelly was now “getting the crowd going.”
Standout Performances
On the brighter side,pageant queen Aishah Akorede delivered a show-stopping tango to the TikTok hit “I Like the Way You Kiss Me,” earning a near-perfect score of 30. Judge Arthur Gourounlian described her performance as “absolutely fierce,” while Byrne admitted she was “captivated” from the start.
Olympic gymnast Rhys McClenaghan continued to impress, showcasing his cha cha cha skills and solidifying his place as one of the competition’s frontrunners. His performance was a testament to his athleticism and dedication, earning him high praise from the judges.
Looking Ahead
As the competition heats up, the remaining contestants are pushing themselves to new heights. With emotional farewells, surprising twists, and unforgettable performances, this season of Dancing with the Stars promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Who will rise to the occasion, and who will falter under the pressure? Tune in next week to find out.
Rhys McClenaghan Shines with Cha Cha Cha on Dancing with the Stars
olympic gold medalist Rhys McClenaghan once again showcased his versatility,earning an notable 30 points for his cha cha cha performance on the latest episode of Dancing with the Stars. Judge Redmond praised his technical prowess, saying, “You did a fabulous technical job,” but added, “what I want is a little bit more of that fire.”
Meanwhile, Mrs Brown’s Boys star Danny O’Carroll received mixed reviews for his jive. while the panel commended his work ethic,his performance fell short compared to his standout Charleston the previous week. Judge Barry noted,“It was lacking a little bit in the accuracy,” resulting in a score of 24.
Comedian Gearóid Farrelly, though, delivered his best performance yet, scoring 30 points for his Viennese Waltz set to R.E.M.’s iconic track, Everybody Hurts. Redmond highlighted the elegance of the routine, stating, “The flow, power, movement… It was exactly what we’re looking for from a Viennese waltz.” Fellow judge Gourounlian echoed the sentiment, calling it “a moment” rather than just a dance.
Topping the leaderboard this week was Kin actress Yasmin Seky, who earned a stellar 36 points for her Charleston. Redmond praised her “great energy, great lifts,” while Gourounlian declared, “I’ve been waiting for you to have a moment… and this was it.”
Olympic Taekwondo star Jack Woolley also made waves, securing 33 points for his energetic routine.Redmond applauded his performance, saying, “The energy was great, the timing crystal clear,” solidifying Woolley as a strong contender to watch in the competition.
- Dancing with the Stars airs Sundays on RTÉ One at 6:30 PM.
How has your experience as a pageant contestant prepared you for the challenges of competing on Dancing with the Stars?
Interview with Aishah Akorede: Pageant Queen Turned Dancing Sensation
By Archys, Archyde News Editor
Archyde: Aishah, thank you for joining us today. Your performance on Dancing with the Stars last week was nothing short of breathtaking. A near-perfect score of 30! How does it feel to receive such high praise from the judges?
Aishah Akorede: Thank you so much! It’s honestly surreal. I’ve always loved dancing, but to hear judges like Arthur Gourounlian call my performance “absolutely fierce” and Karen Byrne say she was “captivated” from the start—it’s a dream come true. I’ve worked so hard with my partner, and it feels amazing to see that effort pay off.
Archyde: Your tango to the TikTok hit I Like the Way You Kiss Me was a showstopper. What inspired your choice of song and choreography?
Aishah: the song is so sultry and full of energy—it really lends itself to a tango. My partner and I wanted to create something that was both dramatic and playful, something that woudl grab the audience’s attention from the very first beat. We spent hours perfecting the lifts and the footwork, and I think that passion really came through in the performance.
Archyde: You’re no stranger to performing,having competed in pageants. How does dancing on Dancing with the Stars compare to your pageant experiences?
Aishah: Oh, it’s a wholly diffrent world! In pageants, it’s about poise, elegance, and presenting yourself in a certain way. But with dancing, it’s raw emotion and storytelling through movement. I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone and embrace a whole new level of vulnerability. It’s been challenging, but also incredibly rewarding.
Archyde: Speaking of challenges, how do you handle the pressure of performing live in front of millions of viewers?
Aishah: It’s definitely nerve-wracking! But I try to channel that nervous energy into my performance. Before I step onto the dance floor, I take a deep breath and remind myself why I’m there—to have fun and share my love for dance. My partner has been a huge support, always encouraging me to trust the process and believe in myself.
Archyde: You’ve quickly become one of the frontrunners in the competition. How do you plan to keep up the momentum?
Aishah: I’m taking it one week at a time.Each dance is a new challenge, and I’m focused on giving my all in every performance. I’m also learning so much from the judges’ feedback and from watching the other contestants. Rhys McClenaghan, for example, is such an inspiration—his athleticism and precision are amazing. I’m just grateful to be part of such a talented group.
Archyde: The competition is heating up, and we’ve already seen emotional farewells, like Mickey Joe Harte’s exit. How do you stay motivated knowing that anyone could be sent home at any time?
Aishah: It’s tough, especially when you see someone like Mickey Joe leave. He’s such a talented performer,and it’s heartbreaking to see anyone go. But it also reminds me to cherish every moment and give 110% every week. I’m here to grow, to push my limits, and to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Archyde: what can fans expect from you in the coming weeks? Any surprises in store?
Aishah: Oh, I can’t give too much away! But I will say that I’m working on some exciting routines that will hopefully keep the audience on the edge of their seats. I’m exploring different styles and pushing myself to new heights. All I can promise is that I’ll keep bringing my A-game and giving it everything I’ve got.
archyde: Aishah, thank you for your time and for sharing your journey with us. We can’t wait to see what you do next on Dancing with the Stars!
Aishah: Thank you so much! It’s been a pleasure.
Stay tuned to Archyde for more exclusive interviews and updates on Dancing with the Stars and other breaking news.