As reality TV stars,Chris Soules and Robert Herjavec are used to dishing out rejection, but they were eliminated fromABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” tonight just one week shy of the semi-finals.
Soules, the 33-year-old star of “The Bachelor,” and Herjavec, who stars on “Shark Tank,” were both voted off the show in a double-elimination in the eighth week of the show’s season 20. “The Bachelor” and “Shark Tank” are both on ABC.
The two TV personalities had struggled during their time on the program. Soules, a farmer from Iowa, has shown steady improvement in recent weeks although his scores have hovered at or near the bottom of the leaderboard. Last night his scores from the judges placed him third from the last place, with the 51-year-old Herjavec in last place.
Judges have commended Herjavec’s dedication throughout the competition -- his smiling turns on the dance floor made it clear the business mogul was enjoying his participation in the show -- even though they’ve said his performances were inconsistent.
Herjavec was the first to learn his fate when it was announced at midway through the show, and he hugged his pro partner, Kym Johnson.
When Erin Andrews, the show’s co-host, brought up the pair’s apparently affectionate relationship and asked what was next for Herjavec and Johnson, the “Shark Tank” star smiled and, without answering directly, said it was great to have been on the show.
“This show is such an inspiration to so many people. I’m so honored to have been able to do this. It was so much fun, wasn’t it, Kym?” he said, and she agreed, adding that Herjavec “embraced every single dance he’s done.”
But Tom Bergeron, the show’s longtime host, added his own relationship comment, telling Herjavec: “Robert you may not have won the mirror ball trophy but I’m suspecting you won someone’s heart.”
Johnson smiled and appeared surprised, while Herjavec smiled and replied: “Tom, I’m not sure I feel that way about you.”
Soules learned his fate at the end of the show, and he was overcome with emotion when Andrews asked him how he felt. He was choked up and had tears in his eyes, shaking his head. Bergeron asked him to share how he was feeling, and he replied: “It’s been an incredible experience. I’m just thankful to have been a part of it,” he said, his voice full of emotion.
He added that he’d done something he never thought he’d be able to do. “It’s life changing. I’m forever grateful,” Soules said.
Witney Carson, his pro partner, thanked Soules.
“I love this guy so much. This has been the most rewarding season,” she said.
Tonight’s eliminations came as no surprise, unlike last week’s revelation that consistent high scorer Willow Shields was being voted off. The 14-year-old actress and star of “The Hunger Games” seemed shocked and upset when her fate was revealed, and the show’s judges, ballroom audience and fans on social media were also stunned by her departure.
Elimination is based upon a combination of judges’ scores and viewer votes.
Returning to the show on Monday for the season’s semi-finals are actress Rumer Willis, who earned two perfect scores on the show last night; Olympian Nastia Liukin; R5 band member Riker Lynch and U.S. Army veteran Noah Galloway.
Singer Carly Rae Jepsen performed her new hit, “I Really Like You.” Singer Josh Groban sang “Over the Rainbow” to a dance by Maddie Ziegler, Brynn Rumfallo and Jaycee Wilkins.
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