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Dancing with the Stars Recap Episode 3: A shock walk-out and a perfect score rock the competition

Plus, the dance-off was cancelled

TV
WRITTEN BY CHATTR Team / Edited BY Anita Anabel
3 July 2023 , 4 minutes to read

It’s episode three of Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 and it was certainly one for the history books as one competitor scored a perfect 40, while another walked away from the competition.

Home and Away’s Emily Weir reached for the stars with her emotionally charged contemporary dance routine, leaving the judges in awe.

Her powerful performance, inspired by her triumph over personal challenges, earned a perfect score and a standing ovation. Judge Craig Revel Horwood called it “Fab-u-lous!”, while Todd McKenney let his paddle do all the talking. It was an unforgettable moment!

Paulini Curunevali absolutely slayed her princess fantasy with a stunning Beauty and the Beast performance, earning 30 points from the Judges! Mark Wilson was impressed by the “delicate movement and elegance” of the dance.

Issa Shultz totally nailed it as Danny Zuko during his Jive to Grease Lightning. The audience went wild and the judges couldn’t help but jump in on the fun. Love. Him.

Comedian Mary Coustas found her edge with her Samba, dancing to Freedom! by George Michael.

And James Magnussen impressed the judges with a slow-motion lift in his heartfelt Cha Cha.

While an improvement on his first dance, Gavin Wanganeen landed at the bottom of the leaderboard with his punk-inspired Tango which scored him 20 points.

Food critic Matt Preston performed a Paso Doble with Craig saying he had seen “tombstones with more movement”, earning him a total of six points.

The final Leaderboard for the night:

  • Emily Weir and Lyu Masuda – 40
  • Paulini and Igor Ifliand – 30
  • James Magnussen and Natalie Lowe – 26
  • Mary Coustas and Aric Yegudkin – 26
  • Issa Shultz and Lily Cornish – 25
  • Gavin Wanganeen and Megan Wragg – 20
  • Matt Preston and Jess Raffa – 6

The dance-off

Matt shocked everyone by calling it quits after his “cooked” ankle injury sabotaged his dance moves. He voluntarily left the competition which ultimately cancelled the dance-off between himself and Gavin.

What a ride!

Watch Dancing with the Stars Australia 2023 on Sundays at 7.00pm on 7 and 7Plus.

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