Kelly Pickler is emerging as a potential winner of Dancing With the Stars' 16th season, as she wowed the judges with a modern jazz number with pro Derek Hough this week.

Pickler, a former American Idol contestant and country recording artist, is proving to be nearly as talented with her dance skills as she is with her voice. In week 2 of the celebrity dancing competition, the judges awarded her 26 out of 30 points. Last week, she had been given 21 points. “Last week was a spark; this week was a fire,” Len Goodman observed.

While last week Picker and Hough performed a cha cha, this week they got to mix it up with a contemporary jazz routine. Set to “Lights" by Ellie Goulding, the blond pair followed one smooth and synchronized movement after another.

Although Picker has certainly asserted herself as someone to watch, she’s still facing some stiff competition. Disney star Zendaya is proving to be a natural force on the dance floor, and she's got a combined score of 50 over the last two weeks to prove it. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman turned in a memorable performance last week, and Baltimore Raven Jacoby Jones also continues to entertain.

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