Dancing with the Stars Dedication Night Ends in Stunning Twist

LOS ANGELES — “Dancing with the Stars” turned emotional in Week 6 with its annual Dedication Night, as the remaining celebrities performed in honor of the people and places that shaped their lives.

The heartfelt theme brought plenty of tears to the ballroom, with each performance carrying a deeply personal message.

Former professional dancer and two-time Mirrorball Trophy winner Kym Johnson joined Carrie Ann Inaba, Derek Hough and Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel for the emotional episode.

Val Chmerkovskiy was absent from the ballroom after receiving a one-week suspension for what the show described as an “inappropriate remark” on social media following Week 5’s Super Bowl Night. After apologizing, Chmerkovskiy sat out this week while Alan Bersten stepped in to partner with Jenna Dewan.

Here is how the couples ranked, from the night’s highest score to its lowest:

Amber Glenn and Pasha Pashkov: The pair performed a contemporary routine to Sia’s “Breathe Me,” dedicating the dance to Amber’s sister, Brooke.
Kym Johnson praised the routine’s vulnerability, athleticism and unfiltered emotion. Bruno Tonioli called it an “emotional tour de force” and “absolutely brilliant,” while Carrie Ann Inaba applauded the duo for using the performance to deliver an important message. Derek Hough said they did more than execute the choreography—they made the audience feel something powerful.
Scores: 10, 9, 10, 9 — 38 out of 40