'DWTS' Season 23: Vanilla Ice and 'Babyface' Axed, Sasha Farber Proposes to Emma Slater
Nine competitors remain in the running for the mirror ball trophy.
— -- In the first double-elimination of the season, rapper Vanilla Ice and music producer Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds were voted off “Dancing With the Stars” today. But before the two learned their fate, pro dancer Sasha Farber stole the spotlight by proposing to girlfriend and fellow dance pro Emma Slater during the live broadcast.
The proposal came after the two performed a short dance. Co-host Tom Bergeron approached the pair and told Farber that he thought he would make a good host so he was turning the show over to him. That’s when Farber said “I love you so much” to Slater, got down on one knee and popped the question.
Slater appeared stunned and said “yes,” after which the entire cast ran out onto the dance floor to hug and congratulate the couple. Farber slipped a ring on Slater’s finger during the hubbub.
The first elimination of the night -- Edmonds -- was announced at the show’s halfway point. The music super producer acknowledged that he made mistakes during his performance last night and thanked fans for their support.
“I got a chance to come out and dance for my mom. ... I did the foxtrot, I did the jive, I did the Argentine tango. I don’t know what that was I did last night but I had an amazing time,” he said, also commending his pro partner Allison Holker for teaching him “so many things.”
Vanilla Ice found out he was eliminated at the end of the show. He called his time on the show “a magical experience,” adding: “Dancing makes you happy and it’s just a happy experience. I’m honored to be here.”
The rapper said he appreciated his fans, then, pointing to his pro partner Witney Carson, said: “I appreciate her more than anything.”
At the end of last night’s performance show, Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez had topped the leaderboard with 30 points -- earning not only the first 10s of the season but the season’s first perfect score. Vanilla Ice (born Robert Van Winkle) was fourth from the bottom and Edmonds brought up the rear with 18.
Tonight’s show featured a live performances from Zara Larsson, the band DNCE and a special performance by pro dancer Derek Hough, who played drums and danced in a dramatic routine that earned him a standing ovation from the ballroom audience.