00:00Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today, we're counting down our picks for the times dancing with
00:10the stars finalists proved they deserve their shot at the mirror ball with their redemption
00:14dances.
00:15These performance had to have taken place during the finals, and we're skipping freestyles,
00:19as you can check out our list on those after this.
00:28Number 10.
00:29Mel B and Maxim Shmirkovsky's Cha-Cha-Cha.
00:32Season 5.
00:33This Spice Girl first danced the Cha-Cha-Cha in the very first week, scoring eights from
00:38all the judges.
00:39Pretty impressive, but still room for improvement.
00:52The singer already had much of the Cha-Cha spirit down, so it was really about honing
00:56her technique.
01:05This time, she showcased everything she had learned over the past few weeks while keeping
01:09the dance style's character intact and sprinkling plenty of her own unique spice over it too.
01:15The judges noticed her improvement, even if they had some feedback to share.
01:19Still, the results spoke for themselves.
01:21She went from a score of 24 to 28.
01:34Number 9.
01:35Rashad Jennings and Emma Slater's Viennese Waltz.
01:38Season 24.
01:39Back in week two, the former NFL running back and his partner took on the Viennese Waltz,
01:44scoring straight eights.
01:45A solid start for early in the season.
01:56But when they revisited the dance in the finals, it was clear just how much he'd grown.
02:08Jennings had transformed into a confident dancer.
02:11His technique was praised, but it was his complete immersion in the performance that
02:15stood out.
02:16This wasn't just a routine, it was a full-on show.
02:19It was almost like watching a new person.
02:34If any dance showed he was mirrorball material, it was this one.
02:37It also earned the couple their first perfect score.
02:52Number 8.
02:53Paige Van Zandt and Mark Ballas' Salsa.
02:56Season 22.
02:57The last time Paige danced the Salsa was in week two, dancing with Alan Burstyn after
03:01Ballas got hurt.
03:03And that performance was so hot it set the rumor mill ablaze.
03:15Now in the finals, she got another shot, this time with her original pro, Mark.
03:20You could even say that this was his do-over as much as hers.
03:23He even threw in the move that caused his injury just to prove they could pull it off.
03:38Salsa really is Paige's dance, and with Mark, she turns up the heat even more.
03:43They held nothing back, delivering a fiery performance that bumped her score from a 24
03:47to a 29.
03:59Number 7.
04:00Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough's Paso Doble.
04:03Season 11.
04:04The actress had a rocky time with her Paso during Rock Week.
04:07The judges agreed it wasn't her best, and so did she.
04:21So she was thrilled to get a second chance.
04:24With Carrie Ann Inaba's help, they worked on adding power and shaping, and encouraging
04:28Grey to take up more space with every move.
04:31She clearly took every piece of feedback to heart.
04:34This time, there was no comparison.
04:45We saw a woman fully in control, delivering all the attack and confidence the Paso demands.
04:50Their first attempt scored a 20, but this time they earned full marks and a standing
04:54ovation from Len.
04:56A true redemption.
05:09Number 6.
05:10Gabby Windy and Val Shmierkowski's Cha-Cha-Cha.
05:13Season 31.
05:14We wouldn't say James Bond theme songs are the best fit for the Cha-Cha-Cha, which is
05:18probably why it was the only one in Week 3's themed week.
05:21The duo made the most of it.
05:33Luckily they got another chance to tackle the style with more fitting music.
05:49They came out with fire, showing everyone they could cha-cha like pros.
05:54Along with near flawless footwork, they brought the rhythm and that flirtatious, playful energy
05:58we love in this dance.
06:11It scored them top marks, and definitely made us think they could win that year.
06:15Still, we have to admit Charlie and Mark's jive made for some serious competition.
06:29Number 5.
06:30Nicole Scherzinger and Derek Hough's Rumba.
06:33Season 10.
06:34The Rumba is one of the toughest dances, even for trained dancers.
06:38Carrie-Anne felt the Pussycat Dolls struggled to fully let go during her first try.
06:42You can almost see her overthinking the steps.
07:01While no one could deny that Scherzinger has the moves, she really stepped up her game
07:05the second time, fully embodying the character.
07:08Not only was the Rumba technically flawless, but we could also believe in the love story
07:13unfolding before us.
07:23They boosted their score to a 28, even earning a 10 from Bruno.
07:27Perhaps it might have been a perfect score if it hadn't been for that darn lift.
07:43Number 4.
07:44Xochitl Gomez and Val Shmierkowski's Foxtrot.
07:47Season 32.
07:48This was a big night for redemption dances, from Ariana and Pasha to Jason and Daniella,
07:53and honestly, everyone else too.
08:04This final proved that this season could be anyone's for the taking.
08:07Still, we couldn't overlook Xochitl's stunning Foxtrot.
08:23She originally danced one in week 3, where she lost some balance and still needed polishing.
08:27It was early days.
08:28This time, you could see how Gomez's connection with the music had evolved, allowing it to
08:32guide her through the dance.
08:46She brought so much grace and elegance, making it as smooth as butter.
08:50We'd say this was the moment they pulled ahead of the pack once again.
09:03Number 3.
09:04Amber Riley and Derek Hough's Charleston.
09:06Season 17.
09:08Amber and Derek's week 3 Charleston was one of the most memorable of the series.
09:12It scored 24 and left plenty of room for improvement.
09:24Carrie-Anne really focused on the details, coaching Amber from being a great performer
09:28to a phenomenal one.
09:30The first time we saw this dance, we were amazed by how fast and content-heavy it was.
09:35It looked impeccable.
09:46While we may not have the judge's eye for clean footwork and perfect synchronicity,
09:50it was clear they had completely upped their game.
09:53If we thought their first performance deserved a 10, this time we needed all the judges'
09:57battles combined just to match what it truly deserved.
10:11Number 2.
10:12Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold's Charleston.
10:15Season 25.
10:16Lindsay Sterling and Mark Ballas nearly quick-stepped their way to the mirror ball after an incredible
10:21redemption dance.
10:22But we'd say Jordan and Lindsay leveled the playing field with one of the coolest
10:25Charlestons we've ever seen.
10:38Last time, Len felt there wasn't enough Charleston in their Charleston, so this was
10:42their chance to prove they could keep their suave chic while delivering what the head
10:46judge wanted.
10:47Both were dealing with injuries going into the finals, which makes their performance
10:51even more impressive.
10:52It was high energy, high content, and high stakes.
11:07Len definitely got what he asked for and more.
11:10Do we even need to mention what they scored?
11:1240, in case you were wondering.
11:41Number 1.
11:42Riker Lynch and Alison Holker's Paso Doble.
11:44Season 20.
11:45Name a more iconic Disney Night Paso than this.
11:58It was a great choice for the finals, especially against power couple Rumor and Val, who also
12:03picked one of their strongest routines for a do-over.
12:06This time, the pair received nines and tens, and this time they were determined to find
12:10the hidden treasure of a perfect score.
12:23They tackled the routine like cannon fire, attacking each step with power and precision
12:28while embodying Captain Jack Sparrow's adventurous spirit.
12:31Len was so excited about their performance that he stood up before it was even his turn
12:35to speak.
12:37Did X mark the spot for those extra tens?
12:38What do you think?
12:53Did you ever watch a redemption dance that made you reconsider who deserved the mirror
12:56ball?
12:57Let us know in the comments.
13:27And don't forget to subscribe for more videos like this one.
13:28Thanks for watching.
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