On February 21, 2025, the highly anticipated third prime of the popular dance competition, Danse avec les Stars, aired on TF1, marking the first elimination of the season. The evening showcased impressive performances from twelve celebrities, evaluated by the familiar jury of Chris Marques, Fauve Hautot, Jean-Marc Généreux, and Mel Charlot.
From the outset, it was clear the competition was heating up. Lénie Vacher, who has quickly captured the hearts of both judges and viewers, dominated the evening with her engaging quickstep alongside partner Jordan Mouillerac, earning her duo the top score of the night at 72 points. Their undeniable energy and tight choreography left the audience clapping and cheering.
Following closely was Jungeli and his partner, dancer extraordinaire, and former contestant, Inez Vandamme, who danced a cha-cha. With their outstanding synchronization and vibrant performance, they ranked second with 69 points. They have become one of the standout pairs this season.
Miss France 2024, Ève Gilles, captivated onlookers with her American smooth routine with Nino Mosa, solidifying their place among the top scorers with 66 points. Each of these leading pairs highlighted the show's blend of technical skill and emotional depth, which has become the hallmark of Danse avec les Stars.
Other notable performances included Claude Dartois and Katrina Patchett, and Adil Rami with Ana Riera, who showcased their own flair, achieving scores of 62 and 61, respectively. Florent Manaudou, the Olympic swimmer, attempted to dance the waltz but received lower marks, scoring only 57 points. Even with improvements noted from previous weeks, some celebrities struggled to find their footing on the dance floor.
Unfortunately for some, the pressure of live performance and audience voting led to tears and heartache. Elimination threatened the likes of veteran journalist Nelson Monfort and actress Charlotte de Turckheim, who faced stiff competition following lackluster performances and low scores. Despite their earnest attempts, they found themselves fighting for survival as they faced elimination.
Despite heartfelt routines, including tribute dances honoring lost loved ones, the stakes were high. Sophie Davant's American smooth honored her mother, stirring strong emotional reactions from the judges and audience alike, but it wasn't enough to guarantee safety—Davant finished with 42 points.
Finally, after the high stakes dance-off, Nelson Monfort and his partner, Calisson Goasdoué, fell short during the elimination duel against Frank Leboeuf and Candice Pascal. Monfort's struggles on the dance floor had been evident throughout the season, and unfortunately, the judges' and audience decisions mirrored his lack of progress. They earned just 32 points—one of the lowest scores ever recorded on the show.
Despite their efforts to improve through the competition, it was Monfort who was eliminated following the face-off between him and Leboeuf. The judges recognized Leboeuf's stronger technique and connection with his dance partner, resulting in them advancing to the next round. Monfort's tight tango was too weak to stand against Leboeuf's more polished performance, which the audience favored.
The atmosphere was electric as the judges emphasized the quality and emotion each dancer brought to the stage, marking this marked moment as not just another dance competition but as deeply personal storytelling.
Looking forward, the competition is set to expand with the remaining contestants, including strong personalities like Lénie, Jungeli, and Ève, who undoubtedly seem poised for progress. Each week promises to be filled with new challenges, personal stories, and, of course, dance. Audiences will certainly be eager to see who rises to the occasion and who falters under the spotlight as Danse avec les Stars continues its thrilling season.