This Friday evening, the glittering outfits and giant disco balls were back on display for the latest episode of "Danse avec les stars" on TF1, marking the return of the competition after two weeks’ hiatus caused by the broadcast of the ‘Les Enfoirés’ concert. The theme of the night was cinema and series, and the competition saw the exit of Charlotte de Turckheim, becoming the third contestant eliminated after Sophie Davant.
At 21:15, the iconic music from the 1990s series “Beverly Hills 90210” echoed through the studio, recreated with contestants from this season, taking viewers back to the nostalgic era. Among those competing, former world champion Frank Lebœuf appeared on crutches due to injury, which prevented him from dancing or facing elimination on this night. According to the rules, each contestant is allowed one pass for illness or injury, as discussion host Camille Combal reminded the audience.
The competition continued as Olympian Florent Manaudou opened the dance floor with partner Elsa Blois, performing a paso doble themed around “James Bond.” With both fire and flair, their performance was dynamic and entertaining, gathering commendations from the judges with scores of 8 from Mel Charlot, Jean-Marc Généreux, and Fauve Hautot.
Hot on their heels, Lénie and Jordan Mouillerac danced to the theme of “La môme,” executing a rumba described as “very fusion and sensual.” Their stunning performance set against Parisian-themed décor earned them scores of 9 from both Mel and Jean-Marc, with Chris also rating it at 9. “Pay attention to the technical demands of the dance, but your performance fascinated me,” recognized Fauve Hautot, underscoring Lénie's impressive expertise.
Also showcased was Mayane and Christophe Licata, who paid tribute to “La boum.” “She has to work three times as hard as others,” remarked Licata, alluding to Mayane's adaptations due to her condition associated with Down syndrome. Despite minor balance challenges, the judges praised her evolution throughout their performance.
A lively segment was delivered by Adil Rami, performing tango argentin to Adele’s “Skyfall.” His performance wowed the judges, with Mel stating she had to award the first 10 of the season for his impressive dance. “You amaze me week by week,” Chris replied, applauding Rami’s dedication and growth as the competition evolved.
Charlotte de Turckheim took the stage next, performing a foxtrot to music made famous by the ‘Tuche’ films. While her joyful attitude charmed the audience, the judges found her performance lacked the expected finesse. The group alluded to the need for more effort, placing her at the bottom of the rankings.
Meanwhile, Miss France 2024, Eve Gilles, took on the song “You’re the one That I Want” with partner Nino Mosa from “Grease.” She strived to embrace a slightly rebellious demeanor, which reflected positively as she climbed to third place with 35 points—notably, the competition’s audience seemed to revel in her transformation.
Claude Dartois also commanded attention with his dance to “Shallow,” supported by Lady Gaga’s reassuring message. Despite not being the strongest dance of the night, the judges scored him with 8, contributing to the overall generous scoring atmosphere observed throughout the evening.
After Julie Zenatti’s tango on “Beverly Hills 90210,” also rated 8 from the judges, the competition ramped up during the final elimination face-off. Contestants Florent Manaudou and Elsa were unexpectedly challenged against Charlotte, who ranked lowest. Following audience votes, Camille announced the outcome just before midnight—a jubilant news for Manaudou and Blois, who were saved, and heartbreaking for de Turckheim who lamented her exit. “I’m very happy for Florent and Elsa; they’re much more talented than I am,” she expressed as she concluded her time on the show.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of film and television, this week’s episode of "Danse avec les stars" not only highlighted the skills and growth of the contestants, but also underscored the ties of support among them—a blend of competitive spirit and camaraderie on the dance floor.