In what proved to be an eventful night on Channel 7’s Dancing With The Stars, the second batch of celebrities graced the dancefloor, performing routines that ranged from triumphant to disastrous.
Virginia Gay, a seasoned actress, claimed the spotlight with an impressive 32 points, the highest score in the competition to date. Her theatrically charged Paso Doble earned her a standing ovation, leaving the judges in awe of her performance.
The evening did have its share of dramatic incidents. TV presenter Charlie Albone experienced a heart-stopping moment when a lift he had practiced for weeks nearly ended in disaster during his Jive. His dance partner, Ruby, narrowly avoided being dropped. Despite the judge’s stern critique, Albone managed to regroup, finishing with a total of eight points.
Stage and screen actress Christie Whelan Browne’s debut performance was met with enthusiastic applause. Her Viennese Waltz earned her 30 points, with judge Sharna Burgess praising it as the epitome of what the dance should be.
Human Nature’s Phil Burton also demonstrated he has more than boyband moves in his arsenal, earning 29 points for his own take on the Viennese Waltz.
Olympic hurdler Sally Pearson channelled her athletic prowess into a leaping Quickstep, earning her 27 points. Pearson’s track training seemingly played a crucial role in her dancing performance.
Actor Pia Miranda took to the dancefloor with a spirited Cha Cha, scoring 23 points. The judges were particularly impressed by the chemistry and camaraderie between Miranda and her partner, as remarked by judge Sharna Burgess.
However, not all performances went as smoothly. KIIS radio host and podcaster Laura Byrne’s excitement got the better of her during her Jive, causing her to forget some steps. Judge Todd McKenney described Byrne’s dance as “frantic”, while Craig Revel Horwood likened her performance to a “praying mantis on acid”, leading her to finish with 19 points.
The final leaderboard of the night was as follows:
- Virginia Gay and Ian Waite – 32
- Christie Whelan Browne and Craig Monley – 30
- Phil Burton and Ash-Leigh Hunter – 29
- Sally Pearson and Mitch Kirkby – 27
- Pia Miranda and Declan Taylor – 23
- Laura Byrne and Danil Saveliev – 19
- Charlie Albone and Ruby Gherbaz – 8
Viewers can look forward to another thrilling episode next Sunday, when the first group of celebrities will take to the dancefloor again, and the first elimination of the season will take place.
