Former L.A. Lakers player Rick Fox may have had his best dance of the competition Monday night, but on Tuesday night, he was cut from “Dancing with the Stars.”
Fox’s elimination, announced at the very end of the show was a surprise to the judges and viewers who have consistently put Bristol Pain at the bottom of the scoreboard. During last weeks episode, the show’s judges were also shocked when reality TV star Audrina Patridge was sent home.
Fox was wearing a green suit for the broadcast, and as soon as he heard the news that he had been eliminated, he smiled and hugged Burke. After the remaining minutes narrowed down the contestants to Fox, his dancing partner Cheryl Burke, as well as Disney Star Kyle Massey with his dance partner Lacey Schwimmer, he thanked his dance partner for doing an “amazing job working with a tall, jolly green giant.”
“It’s been amazing. It’s been a transformational journey for my relationship with my girlfriend and with my daughters,” said Fox, who is dating actress Eliza Dushku. “What I’ll take out of this competition is a friendship with Cheryl and, hopefully, 15 to 20 new dance moves.”
Marking the 200th episode of “Dancing with the Stars” guest musical performers Tuesday were Rod Stewart, Taylor Swift and the cast of the musical “Marry Poppins.”
Next week the contest will focus on challenging the dancers’ rhythm. The contestants will learn their routines in advance, but they will not know the song they will perform to until they hear it in front of the audience on air.