Nick Carter and Sharna Burgess Were “Eliminated” in the Dancing With the Stars Dress Rehearsal

For those of us backstage at Dancing With the Stars last night, it came as no surprise that there wasn’t going to be an elimination (you can read our recap here). ABC never said there would be one throughout the show, and when Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews started their “in jeopardy” countdown at the end of the show, there was only a minute left in the broadcast. In other words, not enough time for an elimination or a goodbye.

But for the celebs and their partners, they were convinced one of them was going home. Why? Well, it turns out that the producers staged an elimination in the dress rehearsal prior to the show, and it was none other than Sharna Burgess and Nick Carter who were “sent home.” After last night’s show, Carlos PenaVega confirmed the news exclusively to Glamour, admitting that they do that every show, “just so we know where we’re going to stand.” What’s interesting is that according to Carlos, the couple that’s eliminated in dress rehearsal is often never the couple that ends up going home in the live show. Carlos and partner Witney Carson admitted to being “eliminated” once in a dress rehearsal this season, and the week they were eliminated in dress rehearsal made them feel confident they’d be safe that week. “It was week four or five, so way back in the day!” laughed Carlos.

Of course, it was no laughing matter for Sharna and Nick. Even though they were “eliminated” in dress rehearsal, they were still convinced they might be going home at the end of the live show. Explained Sharna: “In that moment, when we were called ‘in jeopardy’ tonight, I was not thinking of dress rehearsal! We literally looked at each other and went, ‘It’s OK, it’s OK. Whatever happens, this has been amazing.'” Even though Sharna wasn’t thinking of the dress rehearsal, she did reveal that “it’s sort of the general [rule]” that if you’re eliminated in dress rehearsal, you’ll be safe in the actual show.

When Tom Bergeron revealed no one would be going home, Nick Carter had a hilarious look of bewilderment on his face, but he was afraid viewers at home mistook that to be his confusion over being in jeopardy instead of being safe. “It wasn’t that at all. My [shocked] face was because of the confusion that there wasn’t an elimination!”

Looking ahead to next week’s freestyle, Sharna revealed that the song she picked for Nick didn’t clear. “Everything happens for a reason, and that forced me to come up with something even better. I feel this is going to be the one for him. This is going to be the best of everything we’ve done, but also in a new way to play to his strengths.”

It was a sentiment that Carlos PenaVega repeated to us as well backstage. “At the end of the day, our goal is to do awesome dances and showcase me, and also dances that I can do that nobody else can do because that’s how you win this thing.” Carlos’ partner, Witney, knows a thing or two about winning (after all, she won with Alfonso Ribeiro a year ago), so how will she prep Carlos for the two-night finale? “It’s just all about pushing through and keeping focus. We made it so far, so everything else is just icing on the cake.”

The freestyle dance is one of viewers’ favorites to watch, but Derek Hough pointed out that it’s not quite as special or rare as it once was. “Here’s the thing—the show has changed tremendously,” admitted Derek. “Every dance on the show is a freestyle [in a way] now. That’s the thing if you think about it with the dancers, the production, the story. So now, for me, it’s like, I don’t want to make it about the production. It has to be about something more important.” Derek has a valid point, especially if you think back to just a few seasons ago. So what does he have planned for his favorite girl down under? “It has to be about Bindi and her journey, and what would be right for her to finish the show. It’s her moment. It’s not about me. Bindi always talks about her journey, so it will be a lot about that.”

Speaking of one’s journey, Nick Carter knew that by joining DWTS, he’d be opening up about his past struggles, but “not to this degree and on this level.” His clip package last night was one of this season’s most emotional, but, according to Nick, “it’s good because it’s allowed me to share my story. Sometimes people look at me a certain way, but I’m a normal person, and I’m human just like you.”

Calling his experience “unreal,” Alek Skarlatos admitted that it’s been a very “strange life” being catapulted into the public eye this year. “It’s been strange, that’s for sure.” Strange, yes, but also fulfilling. Last night was not only Alek and Lindsay Arnold’s first perfect score of the season, but Alek’s first 10 as well. “I don’t think it’s sunk in yet that we got a perfect score!” exclaimed Lindsay. “That’s my first perfect score ever as a pro, and Alek got that for us.”

Last night was a nice break from all the craziness taking place on DWTS this season. Noting that it’s been like a mini-soap opera each week with pregnancies, health scares, and the like, Derek Hough admitted that the whole thing has been rather mind-boggling. “It’s intense,” echoed Bindi. “Every day you never know what’s around the corner.”

“The health issues have been unfortunate,” expressed Derek, “It’s a testament to the show about how difficult it can be. If you have a tough schedule and travel a lot, it can be dangerous.” So what has been the biggest surprise for Derek this season? “For me personally, it was walking in and seeing a freakin’ anaconda in the studio. And it’s just draped around Bindi like it’s nothing. That was pretty shocking!” Laughed Bindi: “And here that’s what made me feel the most comfortable!”

Other News: It turns out Noah Galloway was responsible for convincing Alek Skarlatos to sign on for DWTS‘ 21st season. “[Talent Co-EP] Deena [Katz] gave me his number, so I could talk to him,” revealed Alek. “He basically talked me into it! I’m pretty stoked [I listened to him]. He said to keep my head in the game and put in the time and it will show. And it has.”

Outspoken DWTS pro (and recent guest judge) Maksim Chmerkovskiy was seen backstage during last night’s show. He came to support girlfriend Peta Murgatroyd, who made her return to the ballroom after suffering a season-ending injury prior to the start of the season.

It’s never a sure thing which pros will be on each season of DWTS until production officially begins (as we saw with Artem Chigvintsev this season), but Lindsay Arnold hopes to be back for season 22. “I would love to be, but as always, we have no idea. Cross your fingers for me! I’ve had such an amazing time this season.”

Viewers love hearing about Bindi Irwin’s relationship with her father, the late Steve Irwin, but backstage, Bindi spoke about how much her mother, Terri Irwin, has shaped and influenced her adolescent years. “We are so close and we are a team. And no matter what, we’ll be there for each other. Mom has been there for every rehearsal and every show, and she’s also running Australia Zoo, which is 400 staff, and it’s crazy. She has all of these projects happening, and yet still stays so strong.” Added Derek: “During rehearsals, Bindi will yell down the hall to her mom, ‘Mother, I love you! Thank you for giving birth to me! You mean the world to me!’ This happens 10 times a day!” joked Derek. “[Seriously though], she’s an amazing woman.” Added Bindi: “I’m really lucky!”