‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2015: High-Scorer Edged Out of Competition on Finale’s 1st Night

— -- Despite two consecutive weeks of earning perfect scores, Big Time Rush singer Carlos PenaVega was eliminated from ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” tonight during the first night of the season 21 grand finale, leaving conservationist Bindi Irwin, singer Nick Carter and U.S. National Army guardsman Alek Skarlatos to dance Tuesday for the mirror ball trophy.

The final four gave it their all during the first night of two-part finale, performing two separate dances -- one of which was picked for them by the judges and the other, the all-important freestyle.

PenaVega thanked his pro partner, Witney Carson, for helping him get this far in the competition.

“Well, first of all I thank God for this opportunity because it has been life-changing,” he told the show’s co-host, Tom Bergeron, when his fate was announced. “My marriage is so much stronger. I made some amazing friends ... .”

PenaVega also earned perfect scores after three rounds of dance in last week’s show.

Elimination is determined by judges’ votes combined with viewer scores based on the performance from the prior week’s performance.

The mirror ball winner will be announced Tuesday at the end of a two-hour show that starts at 9/8 p.m. Central.

Tonight’s show featured live performances by singers Meghan Trainor, Who Is Fancy and Ariana Grande.

Tonight’s top scorers: Bindi Irwin, Carlos PenaVega and Nick Carter each earned perfect scores for their two rounds of dance. PenaVega won kudos from the judges for having eliminated stars from this season – Paula Dean, Hayes Grier, and Alexa PenaVega (his wife) -- make cameos in his hip hop-inspired freestyle. When Irwin finished her poignant contemporary freestyle that paid homage to her late father, Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin, there weren’t many dry eyes in the ballroom. And Nick Carter brought the audience on its feet and cheering with his group dance to “Larger Than Life,” his 1999 hit song with the Backstreet Boys.
Tonight’s standout moment: When Irwin’s freestyle ended, a photo of her with her father appeared in a large screen onstage. She appeared surprised and overcome, and she quickly hugged her pro partner, Derek Hough. Judges Carrie Ann Inaba and Julianne Hough (Derek’s sister) were both moved to tears by Irwin’s performance. Judge Bruno Tonioli told Irwin that she showed the power of dance. “You danced from the heart and you touched everybody’s souls ... and that is a great achievement,” he said.
Tonight’s Scores (Judges’ pick dance; Freestyle. Total.)
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough: 30; 30. Total: 60
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson: 30; 30; Total: 60 (They were eliminated tonight.)
Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess: 30; 30. Total: 60
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold: 27; 30. Total: 57