‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2015: Chaka Khan 1st to Go Home on Season 21

— -- After failing to impress judges during her ballroom debut, legendary singer Chaka Khan tonight became the first competitor voted off season 21 of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

Khan ended in next-to-last place on the leaderboard in last week's premiere, earning just 13 out of a possible 30 points. Reality TV star Kim Zolciak-Biermann was in the last spot, with 12 points.

Elimination is determined through judges’ scores and votes from the viewing audience. The couple with the lowest combined score is the one sent home.

Based on their performances from last week, Khan and actor Gary Busey were both in danger of being eliminated tonight.

When Khan learned her fate, she looked dismayed but quickly smiled.

“I absolutely enjoyed it” she said of her experience.

She also offered praise for her pro partner, Keo Motsepe.

“I feel like I did him such a disservice,” she said. “This guy is, by far, one of the best dancers I’ve ever seen.”

All 13 competitors had to perform routines tonight that celebrated an element of their hometowns. At the end of tonight’s show, Bindi Irwin again led the pack with 25 points, while jockey Victor Espinoza brought up the rear with 16 points.

The Hometown Glory theme continues with a second performance tomorrow night in a show starting at 9 p.m. Eastern. The show will end with another star’s elimination from the competition.
Tonight’s Top Scorer: Bindi Irwin soared to the top of the leaderboard with her rock-inspired tango with partner Derek Hough. She also topped the leaderboard during the show’s premiere, tying with singer Nick Carter.
Standout Moment: After Hayes Grier’s foxtrot, the 15-year-old Vine star teared up as he talked about how much he’d missed his mother during the past few months. He added that he and his mother had a special bond, and he ran to hug her as soon as he finished his routine.
Tonight’s Scores
Bindi Irwin and Derek Hough: 25
Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson: 24
Tamar Braxton and Val Chmerkovskiy: 24
Alexa PenaVega and Mark Ballas: 24
Alek Skarlatos and Lindsay Arnold: 23
Hayes Grier and Emma Slater: 22
Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess: 21
Andy Grammer and Allison Holker: 21
Paula Deen and Louis Van Amstel: 19
Kim Zolciak-Biermann and Tony Dovolani: 19
Gary Busey and Anna Trebunskaya: 18
Victor Espinoza and Karina Smirnoff: 16
Chaka Khan and Keo Motsepe: 15 (They were voted off tonight.)