'DWTS': James Maslow Goes Home in Final Four Showdown

May 19, 2014 — -- Singer and actor James Maslow was voted off “Dancing With the Stars” in tonight’s season 18 finals, leaving paralympian Amy Purdy, actress Candace Cameron Bure and Olympic ice dancer Meryl Davis to battle it out for the championship.

The audience erupted with boos when co-host Tom Bergeron announced Maslow would be going home. He and Bure--who had been in the middle of or near the bottom of the leaderboard for most of the season--had both been in the bottom two tonight.

Maslow seemed disappointed when he learned his fate, but said he enjoyed his time on the show.

“I’ve really had an amazing experience on the show,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed it more than I ever thought possible. I’ve made some amazing friends and I’m just grateful for the opportunity. It’s been lots of fun,” he said.

His pro partner, Peta Murgatroyd, said she couldn’t have asked for a better partner.

“He was absolutely amazing,” she said, to which Maslow replied: “Thank you for everything.”

Each couple performed two separate dances tonight: a routine they’d previously performed in a partner switch that judges wanted them to reprise with their own partners, plus the all-important freestyle dance.

The mirror ball trophy winner will be announced tomorrow during a live results show starting at 9/8 p.m. Eastern time on ABC.

Olympian Charlie White was voted off last week.

This was the tenth week of the ABC’s show’s 18th season.

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Tonight’s Routines

Each couple danced two routines, earning two separate scores which were combined into a grand total for the night.

James Maslow: The Big Time Rush star’s tango--with partner Peta Murgatroyd--won rave reviews from head judge Len Goodman and judge Bruno Tonioli. Goodman called the routine “sharp as a razor” and “clean as a whistle,” while Tonioli said it was “dominant, dangerous, passionate, focused.” While judge Carrie Ann Inaba largely agreed, she said Maslow appeared “a little uptight tonight,” and advised him to breathe more. Maslow earned two 10s and a 9 for a total of 29 out of a possible 30 points.

The actor’s gritty, hip-hop freestyle featured some martial arts moves. Tonioli appreciated the effort, dubbing Maslow “a new post-apocalyptic hero,” and adding that Maslow, a singer and actor, held his own next to the professional dancers who were part of the routine. Goodman said he liked the concept, while Inaba said Maslow was a star whom she deemed the most versatile contender in the competition. “Tonight you showed us something we’ve never seen before and you killed it,” she said. Maslow earned two 10s and a 9 for a total of 29, and a grand total of 58 out of a possible 60.

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Meryl Davis: The Olympic ice skater and her pro partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, earned a standing ovation for their sultry Argentine tango. “That was sumptuously seductive,” Tonioli said, adding that Davis’ dance skills had developed over the weeks and become “ever more stunning, ever more beautiful.” Inaba said Davis topped her previous performance of the routine, and Goodman agreed. They awarded Davis three 10s for a perfect score of 30 points.

Jaws dropped when the Olympic gold medalist and her partner delivered their poignant, passionate contemporary-inspired freestyle. The routine brought tears to Inaba’s eyes. “First of all I think you guys should get married,” she said, adding: “I love gimmicks and showstopping things – it’s fun – but you just got real. This is what true dance is about.” Tonioli was similarly impressed. “It keeps getting better! What you two have created is as close as it gets to a flawless work of art,” he said. Added Goodman: “There’s good, there’s great, and there’s Meryl.” Davis earned three 10s for another perfect score of 30, and a night’s grand total of 60.

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Candace Cameron Bure: The “Full House” actress’s pro partner, Mark Ballas, was dancing with an injured shoulder, but judges called their effort a strong performance. Inaba commented on Bure’s highs and lows on the shoulder, saying she was “surprised and totally impressed” by Bure tonight. Goodman said the pair had gotten “the toughest dance,” adding that Bure did well despite the pressure she faced. Tonioli commended Bure for going for the “classic, elegant, lighthearted feel of the dance.” Bure earned three 9s for a total of 27 points.

Judges thought the actress’s disco-inspired freestyle was great fun, but they found flaws. “I don’t feel like you connected to the music,” Inaba said, even though she commended Bure for not holding anything back. Goodman said he admired the actress’s tenacity, and Goodman appreciate the entertainment value but agreed with some of Inaba’s points. Bure earned three 8s for a total of 24 points, and a night’s grand total of 51 out of 60.

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The paralympian’s dramatic, gravity-defying freestyle--during which she used a rope to spin high in the air--earned her rousing applause. “You were lyrical, ethereal, involved, you had a conversation with Derek that was beautiful throughout the dance,” Tonioli said. Inaba called the routine “profound,” and while Goodman appreciated what he called a “really polished performance,” he said he didn’t think the rope was necessary. Goodman earned to 10s, and a 9 from Goodman (he was booed when he announced his score), for a total of 29 and a night’s grand total of 59.

The Scores (1st routine, 2nd routine, grand total)

Meryl Davis and Maksim Chmerkovskiy: 30, 30. Total: 60

Amy Purdy and Derek Hough: 30, 29. Total: 59

James Maslow and Peta Murgatroyd: 29, 29. Total: 58 (Maslow was voted off tonight.)

Candace Cameron Bure and Mark Ballas: 27, 24. Total: 51