Thread: ‘Dancing With the Stars’ Season 20

Nastia Liukin and Derek Hough Cut in Season 20 Semifinals
May 12, 2015, 9:18 PM ET - By SUZAN CLARKE via Good Morning America

After finishing the first night of the semifinals with a perfect score and tied for first place, Olympian Nastia Liukin and five-time mirror ball champion Derek Hough were voted off "Dancing With the Stars" Tuesday night, just one week shy of the season 20 finale.

Liukin, 25, has performed well during the nine weeks of competition, consistently earning judges' scores that have placed her at or near the top of the leaderboard.

Despite her top scores, however, she said she’s “not really” surprised by her elimination.

“First of all, being able to dance with Derek one last time really meant so much to me, and that dance was kind of the perfect way to go out,” Liukin explained on “Good Morning America” today, referring to the Viennese Waltz coached by head judge Len Goodman. “It was such a special moment not only to share that with Derek but then with Len, and really tell his story of his career. It really was a special dance. I definitely didn’t want to leave, but it was a good night.”

She has danced some routines with pro dancer Sasha Farber since Hough sustained an injury going into the seventh week of the season, and was tied for first place on the leaderboard Monday after earning perfect scores from the judges for her quickstep with Farber and her Viennese Waltz with Hough.

“It’s been a fantastic season and an ironic one, too,” Hough said. “Having her dance with two partners and handling that so flawlessly and effortlessly, it was incredible.”

Elimination in the competition is based on a combination of judges' scores and viewer votes.

This is the ninth week of the season. Actress Rumer Willis, Army veteran Noah Galloway, and R5 band member Riker Lynch will advance to the finals on Monday.

As for who Liukin thinks will take home the mirror ball trophy, “It’s so hard to say,” she said. “Every single couple has a different strength and that’s what’s so amazing to see.”

Galloway, a double amputee who has impressed judges and fans with his determination, finished fourth on the leaderboard last night. Willis -- a favorite of judges and fans and who is especially adept at the classic ballroom styles of dance -- was third. Lynch, who has impressed judges with his flair and technical ability, was tied with Liukin for first place.

Tuesday’s show featured performances from the cast of "Teen Beach 2" and rapper Flo Rida.

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Originally Posted by SLance68

What is wrong with Herjavec? He is one of my favorites. Ryker's change from the first week to current is a huge change. An as for MS "I don't want to be bullied for my boobs" - I am so glad she got voted off.

NOTHING, just re-read it, and should have put something in there, or just no reference to the a Boycott smilie. I actually watched it this year, NOT at air time, but via huluPlus so I can fast forward thru certain couples. Robert was my favorite to come close to WINNING and he was just one week short of the Semi-Finals. Surprised me made it that far with his low scores from the judges, but happy he has a larger fan base then realized. I was sad when Ms Patti left too, she did great for her age! Kept right up there.

I was even surprised when I saw the last few dances of Ryker, on how well he improved, and can stand on his own talent, but still felt Julianne should have NOT been a judge for his appearance.

Personally, I preferred Nastia dancing with Sasha, seemed she was more relaxed with him.
Of course, everybody received perfect scores, and its bad when some one like me saw a OOPS and the judges missed it.