Missed tonight’s episode of Dancing with the Stars?
Never fear, here’s a complete recap:
[Warning, SPOILERS below! ]
Episode 4
The latest Dancing with the Stars kicked off with Home and Away’s Kyle Shilling and Lily Cornish performing an emotional Viennese waltz. Though not strictly traditional, Craig Revel Horwood called it “absolutely amazing.” Helen Richey urged Kyle to improve his frame, and Sharna Burgess noted he needs “to learn how to lead.”
Karina Carvalho and Andrey Gorbunov delivered a fiery salsa that showed big improvement. Sharna loved the transformation, and while Craig wanted more hip action, he praised her added personality.
Mia Fevola and Gustavo Viglio wowed with a graceful Viennese waltz to the same song her mum once danced to. Helen called it soft and graceful, Sharna said it was “stunning,” and Craig labelled it “absolutely gorgeous.”
Shaun Micallef’s character-filled foxtrot charmed the judges, despite technical flaws. Craig called it “smoke and mirrors,” while Helen appreciated his ballroom respect and dubbed him “Mr Suave.”
Osher Günsberg surprised the judges with a dramatically improved energetic jive. Helen joked he must have a twin, and Sharna said his stage presence helped mask footwork issues.
Felicity Ward closed the show with a sharp cha-cha-cha. Craig loved her timing, Helen called her a natural, and Sharna declared, “I honestly think we’re gonna see you right at the end of this competition.”
In the end, Karina and Andrey were eliminated. Karina praised her partner, saying, “Andrey is not just a fantastic, highly qualified dancer, he’s such a great teacher… and he’s put together the most beautiful choreography for us.”
Leaderboard for Episode 3:
- Mia and Gustavo: 34
- Felicity and Aric: 31
- Shaun and Ash-Leigh: 24
- Kyle and Lily: 21
- Karina and Andrey: 20
- Osher and Sriani: 18
Episode 3
7NEWS anchor Michael Usher kicked off the show with a dramatic paso doble with his partner. While the judges admired his presence, they also pointed to stiffness and missed technique.
Olympic swimmer Susie O’Neill took on a foxtrot, confronting her discomfort with physical closeness. Though her scores were low, the judges commended her growth, aside from Craig Revel Horwood, who delivered a stinging critique: “Seven weeks and seven hours a day wasted, I’d say.”
Former AFL player Trent Cotchin also performed a foxtrot, dedicated to his family. Despite some missteps, his emotional storytelling won praise, with judges noting a marked improvement.
Boxer Harry Garside revealed a softer side in a contemporary routine, earning applause for his vulnerability. While Sharna Burgess praised his message, others urged him to dig deeper emotionally.
Rebecca Gibney brought elegance to the floor with a Viennese waltz danced to her wedding song. The judges admired her poise, though they called for more command in her movements.
Closing the night, Brittany Hockley dazzled with a samba that landed her at the top of the leaderboard. Judges were impressed by her energy, confidence and risk-taking.
In the season’s first elimination, Susie O’Neill was sent home, but not before celebrating how far she’d come and joking that she’d finally learned how to hug!
Leaderboard for Episode 3:
- Brittany and Craig: 31
- Trent and Jess: 30
- Michael and Natalie: 25
- Harry and Siobhan: 25
- Rebecca and Ian: 25
- Susie and Lyu: 15
Episode 2
In this episode, the second group of new stars dazzled the ballroom.
Felicity Ward opened with a bold paso doble alongside Aric Yegudkin. While Helen Richey found the knee walks too masculine, Sharna Burgess applauded the power and attitude.
Kyle Shilling’s high-energy cha-cha with Lily Cornish drew mixed reviews — praised for rhythm but panned by Craig Revel Horwood, who said it didn’t resemble a cha-cha at all.
Karina Carvalho and Andrey Gorbunov’s Viennese waltz split the panel. Craig and Helen wanted more emotion, but Mark Wilson thought it was beautifully performed.
Mia Fevola impressed with a confident cha-cha, earning praise for her potential and stage presence. Craig admitted she exceeded expectations.
Osher Günsberg had a tough night with a foxtrot that landed him at the bottom of the leaderboard. Craig called it a “dance disaster,” though Helen encouraged him to keep going, noting the foxtrot’s difficulty.
Shaun Micallef delivered the night’s most entertaining performance — a quickstep full of charm and comedy that topped the scoreboard. Even Craig, despite technical criticism, loved it.
And in a nostalgic highlight, Strictly Ballroom star Tina Sparkle (aka Sonia Kruger) returned for a dreamy waltz with Ian Waite.
Leaderboard for Episode 2:
- Kyle and Lily: 24
- Shaun and Ash-Leigh: 24
- Karina and Andrey: 23
- Mia and Gustavo: 23
- Felicity and Aric: 22
- Osher and Sriani: 9
Episode 1
Co-hosts Sonia Kruger and Dr Chris Brown kicked off Season 22 of Dancing with the Stars by introducing this year’s contestants. Then they split the contestants into two groups, who will dance on alternate weeks. So six couples showcase their dancing moves tonight.
AFL great Trent Cotchin and Jess Raffa opened with a tango, earning 21 points. It was praised by judge Sharna Burgess but slammed by fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood for lacking passion.
Podcaster Brittany Hockley also scored 21 for her cha-cha with Craig Monley. Judges noted her nerves but saw potential, with Mark Wilson calling her “vivacious” and Craig comparing her to a “drunk girl lost at a party”.
Olympian Harry Garside impressed with his energetic jive and daring lifts, earning a standing ovation from Mark, but received divided feedback overall. He too landed on 21 points.
Susie O’Neill struggled with the tango, receiving the night’s lowest score of 13, though judges praised her improvement from earlier rehearsals.
Channel 7 presenter Michael Usher topped the leaderboard with a polished foxtrot, earning 27 points and unanimous praise for his poise and charisma.
Rebecca Gibney closed the show with a playful cha-cha, scoring 24. Despite technical flaws, the routine delighted the judges, with Mark calling it “so wrong, it was right”.
Leaderboard for Episode 1:
- Michael Usher and Natalie Lowe: 27
- Rebecca Gibney and Ian Waite: 24
- Trent Cotchin and Jess Raffa: 21
- Brittany Hockley and Craig Monley: 21
- Harry Garside and Siobhan Power: 21
- Susie O’Neill and Lyu Masuda: 13
Watch Dancing with the Stars on Channel 7 on Sundays at 7pm or on 7plus.
