‘Dancing With The Stars’ Season 25, Episode 8 Recap: Nikki Bella & Vanessa Lachey Voted Off

Even though they were a day early, Dancing with the Stars celebrated Halloween last night with some spooky dances and costumes.

DANCING WITH THE STARS HALLOWEEN NIGHT RECAP

The evening got doubly scary when the show decided to vote off two couples instead of one. We’ve also gotten to the part of the season where team dances are introduced, and added to a couple’s score for a new total.

First up were Victoria Arlen and Val Chmerkovskiy, who performed a Viennese waltz to “The Night We Met” by Lord Huron. The couple were in the bottom three last week, and they did their best to avoid doing that again with this dance. Arlen’s biggest issue as of yet is being vulnerable in her dancing, but she improved greatly this week. Their dance told the story of a dead couple rising from their graves to do one last dance, and they earned a 27/30.

Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold were up next with a paso doblé to Martin Garrix‘s “Animals.” The judges eat it up, as the dance is aggressive and fun. Bruno Tonioli calls it a mix of “Thriller” and traditional paso. They earn their second perfect score of the season with a 30/30.

Nikki Bella and Artem Chigvintsev hit the stage next with a jive to Bette Midler‘s “I Put a Spell on You.” The pair looks cute in their rehearsals, but they just don’t bring the spunk to the dance floor. The judges want more from the partners in terms of dance, and they earn just a 24/30.

Then we have Vanessa Lachey and Maksim Chmerkovskiy perform a paso doblé to “Game of Survival” by Ruelle. The couple gives this dance their all, wanting desperately to be seen as a contender in this competition. And while they do try their best, the judges don’t think it’s good enough. They say the Lachey loses her precision when she gets overenthusiastic about her character, and the judges give them a 24/30.

Terrell Owens and Cheryl Burke are up next, and perform a tango to “Super Freak” by Rick James. Owens as a nerdy vampire who trick-or-treats at a witch’s house, and the pair dance well together – the passion is missing, however. Burke has really worked some magic on Owens though, and he is improving week to week. They walk away with a 25/30.

Fresh off of their perfect score last week, Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas came to play. They do the third paso doblé of the night to Stirling’s own song “Roundtable Rivals.” Stirling is dancing through a painful rib injury she sustained since last week, and the judges all compliment her ability to adapt to the situation. They earn a 27/30.

Frankie Muniz and Witney Carson enter next with a contemporary piece to “Every Breath You Take” as performed by Chase Holfelder. This routine felt so real and the dancers really sold their performances. The couple was looking for redemption after last week’s near-disaster routine, and they certainly did, earning their first perfect score. Carrie Ann Inaba even tells them that this routine elevated the entire world of dance. 30/30.

Next up are Drew Scott and Emma Slater with a Charleston to composer Danny Elfman‘s “Remains of the Day.” Scott is also attempting to redeem himself after last week, and the quick-paced dance fits his style. They manage to topple over during the routine, but are able to play it off as choreography. The judges are impressed by the dance, and award the couple a 27/30.

And finally it was time for the team round. Team Monster Mash, made up of Jordan and Lindsay, Lindsey and Mark, Nikki and Artem, and Terrell and Cheryl, perform first. Having both Fisher and Stirling makes this seem like the team to beat, but their scary moves only earn the team a 24/30. Team Phantom of the Ballroom, with Drew and Emma, Frankie and Witney, Vanessa and Maks, and Victoria and Val, pick up a third perfect score of the night. Len Goodman says it’s the “most polished” routine he’s ever seen on the show.

And finally, it was time for the double elimination. The bottom four were Terrell and Cheryl, Nikki and Artem, Drew and Emma, and Vanessa and Maks. And the couples to go home were Nikki and Artem, and Vanessa and Maks. Tune in next week for more dancing fun and heartbreak!