RECAP: DWTS Week 4 Performances Bring Judges to Tears

Melea Altermatt, Lifestyles and A&E Editor|October 10, 2020

Actress Skai Jackson and partner Alan perform a foxtrot dedicated to her late co-star, Cameron Boyce. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba called the dance “sheer perfection.”

Week 4 of Dancing With the Stars was a night to remember as each star dedicated their dance to someone special in their lives or talked about a personal struggle that they have overcome.

The episode also featured the best dances for some of the stars, resulting in the first scores of 9 and 10, eclipsing weeks of 7s and 8s.

Starting off the night was a spicy paso doble danced by Nelly and Daniella to “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba applauded Nelly’s effort, saying that he is “growing every week” after he scored a 21 out of 30. Judge Derek Hough mentioned that this was Nelly’s best dance by far.

Cheer coach Monica Aldama brought the party to the dance floor as she and Val danced the samba to Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.” The couple received their highest score, a 24 out of 30, and ran joyously off stage.

Actress Anne Heche discussed how her past relationship with TV host Ellen DeGeneres resulted in 10 years of being denied acting roles, just because she was in a relationship with a woman. She and her partner Keo danced the paso doble to Katy Perry’s “Rise,” showcasing Heche’s rainbow attire to represent the time in her life that brought new beginnings. She received a score of 21 out of 30, and judge Bruno Tonioli told her that she is a “multicolored warrior who is strong and proud and stands for what she believes.”

Catfish creator Nev Schulman and his partner Jenna are a duo that “we should keep our eyes on,” according to Inaba. The pair danced a romantic rumba dedicated to Schulman’s wife, and scored a 24 out of 30. Nev posted the dance on Instagram later with a caption expressing how lucky he is “to be married to my best friend.”

Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe dedicated her Viennese waltz to “Beautiful Crazy” to her boyfriend, Jason Tartick. Bristowe and pro Artem received a score of 25 out of 30, including the first 9 of the season.

Backstreet Boy AJ McLean and partner Cheryl danced an energetic cha cha to his group’s song “Larger Than Life,” as each member of the Backstreet Boys virtually danced behind the duo. This pair scored a 24 out of 30, their best score of the season.

The tear-inducing dance of the night was Skai Jackson and Alan’s foxtrot dedicated to her Jessie co-star, Cameron Boyce, who passed away in 2019. Inaba was brought to tears by the performance and was “beyond words, it’s just sheer perfection,” while Tonioli complimented Jackson for being an “embodiment of poise and grace.” The pair scored the highest of the night, a 28 out of 30, including the first 10 of the season.

Despite receiving their personal highest score, Monica Aldama and Val were left in the bottom two spots along with Anne Heche and Keo. The judges agreed on letting Heche go and “saving” Aldama.

Catch next week’s episode of Dancing with the Stars at 8 p.m on ABC as the remaining 12 stars dance to ’80s tunes.