The student has become the master…
On Tuesday night’s 500th episode of Dancing With the Stars, the contestants were tasked with a unique challenge — recreating some of the show’s most memorable dances from the past 20 years. But only Chandler Kinney and pro partner Brandon Armstrong had to recreate a dance originally executed by one of the judges.
The duo recreated the Argentine tango that Derek Hough choreographed for himself and partner, Kellie Pickler, back in season 16. And Hough proclaimed their version of the routine better than his own.
“Comparison is inevitable,” Hough told the couple. “But I preferred this one. I really did. That’s a big compliment. Your approach was sharp and a little different. You did it smooth as silk — the accuracy, the intensity, it was just so slick.”
That’s high praise considering that Hough and Pickler went on to win their season. But Hough was onto something with his remarks, given that the routine earned Kinney and Armstrong the first perfect score of season 33.
Scoring all 10s from the panel, they sparked chaos at the judges’ table as Bruno Tonioli swooned into Hough’s lap (and the pair appeared to kiss until Carrie Ann Inaba joked that it was a “family show”).
The 30 points put Kinney and Armstrong atop the leaders’ board going into the Instant Dance Challenge. Throughout this season, fans have complained that Kinney has been judged more harshly due to her dance background and high level of achievement. But she and Armstrong finally earned the praise many felt they deserved all season.
Dancing With the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.