On Music Video Night of “Dancing with the Stars,” the remaining couples delivered memorable performances inspired by iconic music videos. Paula Abdul joined as a guest judge for the November 7 episode, and the evening included both individual and group dances.
The evening kicked off with Lele Pons and Brandon Armstrong performing a sultry salsa to Shakira’s “Wherever, Whenever.” While Derek Hough praised Lele for nailing the Shakira elements, he suggested smoother entrances and exits for lifts and tricks. Paula found the performance wickedly seductive but agreed with Derek about Lele’s lightness. Carrie Ann Inaba praised it as the dance she had been waiting for all season. Their scores were Carrie Ann = 9, Derek = 8, Paula = 8, and Bruno = 8, with a total score of 33 out of 40.
Ariana Madix and Pasha Pashkov followed with a sizzling cha-cha to Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U.” Paula described their performance as a dazzling mix of finesse and fury. Bruno Tonioli appreciated the content Pasha included in the routine, while Carrie Ann Inaba praised every aspect of the performance. Derek Hough noted the risk of dancing next to other pros and commended Ariana’s fantastic job. Their scores were Carrie Ann = 9, Derek = 9, Paula = 10, and Bruno = 9, resulting in a total score of 37 out of 40.