DWTS Season 33 Episode 9: Five Contestants Vie for a Spot in the Finale

Season 33 of Dancing with the Stars may feel like it's just getting started, but we're already gearing up for the ninth episode! With only five contestants remaining, the stakes are higher than ever. The pressure is on for these talented stars, who have one last opportunity to impress both the judges and the audience before next week's grand finale. Every step counts, and the competition is fierce as they race toward that coveted spot in the final showdown.

Looking back at last week, the tension was palpable. The dancers faced the unexpected twist of the Instant Dance, where they had to pick their dance style blindly and only learned which song they'd be dancing to during a commercial break. Talk about a challenge! Stephen Nedoroscik was on track to earn the season’s first perfect score, but he ended up with a strong 29. And just minutes later, Chandler Kinney pulled off the unthinkable, earning the first perfect score of the season— a flawless 30.

But, as with every competition, there was disappointment too. Dwight Howard, who had been steadily improving week after week, was eliminated. Fans on social media speculated that a loss in the fan vote might have contributed to his early exit. It’s a reminder that, while the judges’ scores matter, the audience’s votes play a huge role in deciding who stays and who goes home.

So, with Dwight out, we’re down to just five competitors, each hoping for that final push into the next phase of the competition. What will Episode 9 bring? For starters, the stars will each perform two dances—one ballroom and one Latin—each to a song of their choosing. These performances are crucial; they could make or break their chances at making it to the finale. The energy in the ballroom is sure to be electric!

Updated Scores from DWTS Episode 9

Ballroom Dance Round: (As the episode airs, updates will follow)

Joey Graziadei finally achieved what he had been so close to for weeks: a perfect 30. The former Bachelor contestant’s hard work paid off, earning him his first perfect score. The crowd went wild, and fans were all smiles for the ex-reality star.

Latin Dance Round Results:

It was a night of highs and lows. Chandler Kinney proved she was in it to win it, securing her second perfect score of the season. Meanwhile, Stephen Nedoroscik was close behind with a solid 29, while Joey Graziadei kept up the momentum with a respectable 28. Unfortunately, the competition was fierce, and Dwight Howard, despite his improvement over the weeks, didn't quite have enough to stay in the game.

Instant Dance Results:

In the Instant Dance round, which added an extra layer of unpredictability, Chandler Kinney dominated with an incredible 30, bringing her two-round total to a perfect 60. It’s clear that she’s got the moves to go all the way. Joey Graziadei, though, was still a strong contender, finishing with a total of 55. Sadly, Dwight Howard’s 48 was not enough to keep him in the competition, and he was eliminated after the Instant Dance.

Who Was Eliminated?

• Episode 2: Anna Delvey and Tori Spelling
• Episode 4: Reginald VelJohnson and Eric Roberts
• Episode 5: Brooks Nader
• Episode 6: Phaedra Parks
• Episode 7: Jenn Tran
• Episode 8: Dwight Howard
• Episode 9:

In a shocking turn, Dwight Howard was eliminated during Episode 8, making it the latest in a series of eliminations that have kept viewers on their toes. This time, it seems the audience vote was a major factor in deciding who moved forward. In previous seasons, the semi-final episode typically includes an elimination, but last season saw five contestants moving into the finale. Could we see a similar result this year, or will someone else be sent home before the grand finale?

How Does Dancing with the Stars Scoring Work?

Understanding how scoring works on DWTS can get a little tricky, so let’s break it down. The show’s scoring system is divided into two key components: the judges’ scores and the audience votes. The judges—Derek Hough, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Bruno Tonioli—each give a score from 1 to 10, adding up to a possible 30 points for the dancer. Occasionally, a guest judge will appear, and their votes will also factor into the mix. When this happens, the maximum score jumps up to 40 points.

So here’s where it gets a bit tricky: The points you see aren’t just a reflection of how well a dancer did, but how their score compares to others in the competition. For example, if a total of 100 points is given by the judges, and one dancer scores 10 while another scores 20, the percentages come into play. Dancer A would have 10% of the total points, while Dancer B would have 20%. After the audience votes are tallied, the total percentage from both the judges and the viewers is combined to determine who stays and who goes.

How to Vote for Dancing with the Stars

Want to make your voice heard? Voting for your favorite contestants is easy and can be done in two ways. You can head to the official Dancing with the Stars website to cast your vote online, or you can text your vote. The number to text will be displayed on the screen during the live broadcast, and all you have to do is text the contestant's name to that number. You’re allowed up to 10 votes per contestant using both voting methods, so make sure you show your support!

Voting is only live during the original broadcast in the ET/CT time slot, so make sure you don’t miss your chance to weigh in on who should make it to the next round. The power is in your hands, so use your votes wisely!

With only five contestants left in the game, next week’s episode promises to be a thrilling one. Who will rise to the top and who will fall short? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: the finale is going to be one to remember. Stay tuned!