Record fan vote sends Giada De Laurentiis home on Dancing with the Stars
A record number of audience votes eliminated chef Giada De Laurentiis in week two of the show, while three couples tied for the highest judges' scores.
The second week of the 35th season of "Dancing with the Stars" saw a new voting record set, according to host Alfonso Ribeiro, who said the tally surpassed last season's finale despite being only the second week of competition. The episode, aired on September 22, featured a "Viral Hits Night" in which contestants performed to recent internet-driven songs.
Judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli scored each routine out of 30 points. Jenna Dewan and Val Chmerkovskiy, Ezra Frech and Daniella Karagach, and Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov each received 21 points, the highest marks of the night. At the bottom, Giada De Laurentiis and Alan Bersten, as well as Guillermo Rodriguez and Witney Carson, earned 12 points.
"Last season's finale had the highest number of votes ever," Ribeiro said. "Tonight, you broke that record, and it's only week two."
Despite not having the lowest judges' score, chef Giada De Laurentiis was eliminated after her salsa to Becky G's "Bella Ciao" received the fewest combined viewer votes. The show now continues with 13 remaining celebrities, including Amber Glenn, Taylor Hanson, Harry Shum Jr., and others, as they prepare for a "Yacht Rock Night" themed episode slated for September 29.
The next episode will air on ABC at 8 p.m. ET and stream live on Disney+.