Elaine Hendrix brought the Dancing with the stars kneeling ballroom Wicked night.
THE Parental trap The star and his professional partner Alan Bersten had some of the lowest scores last week after their “Dedication Night” foxtrot for Hendrix’s best friend (and countryman). Parental trap star) Lisa Ann Walter. But Hendrix managed to bounce back in a big way, with the pressure on his shoulders directly grappling with the beloved musical’s biggest number – “Defying Gravity.”
“We are dancing a contemporary and I want to portray the story like Elphaba did, where Elaine realizes that she can have confidence in herself to show that she is stronger than her injuries,” Bersten explained in a rehearsal tape before the dance. Hendrix spoke during rehearsal about the challenges posed by a titanium plate in his foot, surgically inserted after a horrific car accident, and was shown breaking down in tears at one point during practice.
“It’s no fun knowing the limits of your body, and this song is about pushing past your limits,” Hendrix said. “I know my determination will win, but getting there is quite a journey.”
Dressed in a sleek black Elphaba, Hendrix sauntered into the ballroom to the opening bars of the song performed in Cynthia Erivo’s film adaptation of guest judge Jon M. Chu. Dramatic falls, rises and turns culminated in Hendrix recreating the Broadway musical’s signature moment: the actress, as Elphaba, rose into the air as her cape flew below to deliver the song’s climactic farewell.
The audience roared like thunder as Hendrix was lowered down and safely released from his harness. Co-host Alfonso Ribeiro first handed the mic to Carrie Ann Inaba for the judges’ critiques.
“Elaine, that was something special. When you were dancing, my heart was…I just burst into tears, because you were so pure in the moment,” Inaba explained. “There are moments in the show that are so magical that no one will ever forget how they felt when you danced and achieved (that).”
Chu looks back on his time leading both Wicked and its upcoming sequel, Villain: for goodto comment: “It was pure ascension… We talked about that a lot in the film. It’s not about control, it’s about surrendering to your own power, and I felt that.”
Hough revealed that he and Hendrix “had a little chat after last week’s show,” during which the veteran movie star “shared a few things with me, and so I know you’re moving some things forward.” In this context, Hough concluded that Hendrix “truly defies all odds.”
Before passing the mic to Julianne Hough in the skybox for the judges’ scores, Bruno Tonioli exclaimed: “Honey, you went into orbit tonight… You had the hardest number because it’s the highest, the biggest on the show, and you killed it.”
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Hendrix was delighted with her post-dance conversation with Hough, even before receiving her exceptional score. “I feel like I’m defying gravity,” she winked. Bersten gave her partner a sincere hug and told Hough, “Elaine’s determination and perseverance is nothing short of incredible and inspiring, and I feel so lucky to be partnered with her.”
The actress received four 9s for a score of 36, her highest so far. He would have been a contender for the night’s top score if The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Whitney Leavitt came close to sweeping the jury to score a season-high score of 39.
Dancing with the stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+, and streams the next day on Hulu.
