With Brooks and Gleb’s departure, the remaining couples in Dancing with the Stars Season 33 are more determined than ever to win over the judges and the audience
As the competition enters its sixth week, the pressure is on for the remaining pairs to deliver show-stopping performances.
With the emotional highs of Dedication Night behind them, contestants will need to bring their A-game to stay in the competition.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the next episode, where the remaining dancers will face new challenges and continue their journey toward the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. Whether or not any of the surviving couples can avoid the pitfalls that led to Brooks and Gleb’s elimination remains to be seen.
Dancing with the Stars continues to captivate audiences with its mix of drama, personal stories, and impressive dance performances. As Season 33 progresses, the competition is only getting fiercer, and the journey to the final promises to be full of surprises.
Also Read: Andrew Garfield and Kate Tomas End Relationship Quietly, Fans React to the News
Table of Contents
Dancing with the Stars Season 33: Recap of Episode 5
On Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Dancing with the Stars aired its fifth episode of Season 33.1
The episode, themed Dedication Night, saw celebrity contestants and their professional dancing partners dedicate their performances to significant people in their lives.
However, the night didn’t just focus on the emotional tributes, as it also saw the departure of one of the pairs in a dramatic elimination.
The competition intensified with three couples facing the bottom of the scoreboard: Chandler and Brandon, Dwight and Daniella, and Brooks and Gleb.
A Night of Dedication and Emotional Performances
Dedication Night is always a fan-favorite theme, as it allows the contestants to reveal a more personal side of themselves through their performances.
The celebrity contestants expressed gratitude and love toward influential figures in their lives, from family members to friends and mentors.
Each couple aimed to impress the judges and the audience not just with their technical dancing ability but also with the emotional weight of their performances.
Throughout the night, the judges praised several couples for their heartfelt dances, but as always, not all routines hit the mark. While some pairs moved the judges to tears, others struggled with technical missteps or failed to fully engage the audience.
The stakes were high, as everyone knew that one misstep could mean the end of their journey on the show.
— GLEB SAVCHENKO (@Gleb_Savchenko) February 14, 2024
The Bottom Three: Chandler, Dwight, and Brooks Face Elimination
After all the performances had concluded and the judges had submitted their scores, the bottom three couples were revealed: Chandler and Brandon, Dwight and Daniella, and Brooks and Gleb.
These pairs had received the lowest combined scores from the judges and the public vote, putting them at risk of elimination.
The tension in the ballroom was palpable as the host prepared to announce which couple would be leaving the competition.
Ultimately, it was Brooks and Gleb who were sent home, marking the end of their journey in week five of the competition.
For many viewers, the elimination didn’t come as a complete surprise, as the couple had struggled to connect with both the judges and the audience in recent weeks.
Brooks and Gleb’s Elimination: Mixed Reactions from Fans
As is typical with Dancing with the Stars, the elimination of Brooks and Gleb sparked a flurry of reactions on social media.2
Fans took to platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) to share their thoughts on the couple’s departure. Some viewers expressed sympathy for Brooks, acknowledging her efforts as a dancer, while others celebrated the end of what they saw as an “insufferable” storyline.
One fan wrote, “I do feel bad because Brooks was a good dancer, but their storyline was insufferable.” This sentiment seemed to capture the feelings of many viewers who believed that Brooks had potential but that her partnership with Gleb didn’t live up to expectations.
The critique of Gleb’s choreography was a recurring theme in the fan responses. Many felt that the professional dancer had relied too heavily on Brooks’ physical appearance and charisma rather than pushing her to excel technically.
A particularly scathing comment read, “Gleb saying ‘I thought we’d win’ when it’s his fault for choreographing mid-at-best routines for Brooks and basically just coasting on sex appeal and a cringy showmance? I’m done with this man.”
Criticism of Gleb’s Role as a Choreographer
Several fans voiced their frustrations with Gleb’s approach to choreography throughout the season. While Brooks had shown promise as a dancer, many felt that Gleb’s routines didn’t allow her to reach her full potential.
Instead, the focus appeared to be on emphasizing Brooks’ appearance and creating a showmance narrative, which some viewers found tiresome and lacking in substance.
One fan commented, “Gleb could have given Brooks better choreography, but he just wanted to play into her hotness week AFTER week, and it got so old so fast.”
This critique was echoed by others, who felt that Gleb’s decision to focus on the couple’s chemistry rather than on technical dance improvement ultimately led to their downfall.
Brooks and Gleb Dynamic: Showmance Fatigue
The showmance dynamic between Brooks and Gleb seemed to be a significant factor in their eventual elimination.3
While showmances can sometimes captivate audiences, in this case, it appeared to have the opposite effect. Many fans found the focus on their romantic chemistry to be overplayed and distracting from the dance performances themselves.
One tweet captured this frustration: “Brooks & Gleb eliminated. I can finally go back to watching #DWTS episodes with my family without feeling awkward.”
The showmance narrative had evidently alienated some viewers, who felt uncomfortable with the emphasis on Brooks and Gleb’s personal dynamic at the expense of the actual dancing.
Another fan remarked, “Weirdest moment of the night: Brooks seeming surprised they went home. I personally didn’t hate them the way others did (their whole showmance schtick did get tiring, though). I’m surprised she didn’t see it coming based on social media.”
This comment highlights how Brooks may have been caught off guard by the elimination, despite the negative feedback they had received online.
Fans Weigh in on Brooks and Gleb’s Performance
- Despite the critiques, not all fans were rooting for Brooks and Gleb to be eliminated. Some viewers acknowledged that while the couple had plateaued in recent weeks, they didn’t necessarily deserve to go home.
- One fan commented, “I was not rooting for Brooks to go home, but I’m not mad about it. I think they ultimately just plateaued with their dances.”
- This assessment reflects the belief that Brooks and Gleb had started strong but had failed to evolve their routines as the competition progressed.
- While they had undeniable chemistry, the lack of improvement in their performances ultimately sealed their fate in the competition.
- As fans continue to react to the elimination, some have expressed hope that Gleb will take a different approach if he returns for future seasons.
- The choreographer has faced criticism before for leaning too heavily on physical appeal and showmance narratives, and this season appears to have reignited those concerns.
- One fan summed up the sentiment with a blunt message: “BYE GLEB DONT COME BACK NEXT SEASON !!! BROOKS DESERVED BETTER!!” Whether Gleb will return next season remains to be seen, but it’s clear that if he does, some fans will be watching closely to see if he shifts his focus toward more technically challenging routines.
Also Read: Tony Schiavone: Reveals Major News for AEW All In Match Who Could Win the Casino Gauntlet?
Gleb Savchenko’s Emotional Reaction
Gleb Savchenko, a seasoned professional dancer, has experienced highs and lows during his time on Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), but the emotional rollercoaster of season 33 came to a head in episode 5 when he and his celebrity partner, Brooks Nader, were eliminated.
Despite their strong bond and hopes of progressing further, the pair’s salsa routine couldn’t save them from landing in the bottom three and being sent home. Gleb’s reaction following the elimination revealed both his deep connection with Brooks and his genuine belief in their potential.
The Salsa Routine: A Dedication to Family
In episode 5, Brooks Nader and Gleb Savchenko took on the challenge of performing a salsa routine, dancing to “Mi Gente” by J Balvin and Willy William.
The performance held personal significance for Brooks, who dedicated it to her sisters. Throughout the season, she had been open about her emotional journey following a difficult divorce, and she credited her siblings with being her biggest support system during that trying time.
Her sisters’ presence during rehearsals brought an extra layer of emotion to the performance. They cheered Brooks on and offered warm praise for Gleb as well.
One of her sisters remarked on the professional dancer’s rapport with Brooks, expressing how they could easily see why their sibling had connected so well with him. This supportive family dynamic added a sentimental undertone to their salsa routine.
Judges’ Mixed Feedback: Praise and Potential
The judges’ feedback for Brooks and Gleb’s salsa was largely positive, though they recognized room for improvement. Carrie Ann Inaba, one of the show’s veteran judges, praised the pair’s chemistry on the dance floor and acknowledged the heart that Brooks put into her performance.
Guest judge Mark Ballas, a DWTS champion himself, highlighted Brooks’ potential, suggesting that with more time and practice, she could have evolved into a standout dancer.
Derek Hough, another renowned professional dancer and choreographer on the judging panel, commended the duo, stating that they had done a “great job” with the routine.
He seemed impressed by the progress Brooks had made so far in the competition. Bruno Tonioli, known for his energetic feedback, called the performance “mouth-watering spicy,” adding a flair of excitement to his review.
Despite these encouraging comments, Brooks and Gleb received a score of 32 out of 40, leaving them in a vulnerable position heading into the elimination round.
The Bottom Three: A Shocking Moment
The elimination round was tense as three pairs found themselves at risk of leaving the competition: Brooks and Gleb, Chandler and Brandon, and Dwight and Daniella.
For Gleb, the moment was particularly nerve-wracking, as he had high hopes that his partnership with Brooks could carry them through to the later stages of the competition.
Brooks had shown promise, and their salsa routine seemed to resonate with the audience and judges alike.
When the elimination was announced, Gleb’s disappointment was palpable. His belief that they would go further in the competition made the moment even more bittersweet. However, his immediate reaction was one of gratitude and admiration for his partner.
Gleb Savchenko: Praise for Brooks Nader
As the elimination unfolded, Gleb took a moment to reflect on his journey with Brooks Nader.
He had formed a close bond with her during their time on Dancing with the Stars, and he made sure to express how proud he was of her efforts. In a heartfelt statement, Gleb said:
“I thought we were gonna win. I had such a blast working with you. You are super talented and I love you.”
His words encapsulated the emotional connection they had built throughout the season. Gleb’s admiration for Brooks extended beyond her dancing abilities; he saw the determination and resilience she brought to the competition.
His belief in her potential was clear, and he wanted to make sure she knew how much she had impressed him.
View this post on Instagram
Mixed Responses to the Elimination
- The elimination of Brooks and Gleb sparked a flurry of reactions online. As with any high-profile reality competition, fan opinions varied widely.
- Some viewers expressed relief that the pair had been eliminated, arguing that they had not shown enough technical prowess to remain in the competition.
- These fans felt that other contestants had demonstrated stronger dancing skills and deserved to continue their journey on Dancing with the Stars.
- However, a significant portion of the fanbase was disappointed by the outcome. They admired the chemistry between Brooks and Gleb and appreciated the growth Brooks had shown during her time on the show.
- Many took to social media to voice their frustration, stating that they believed the couple deserved to stay for at least a few more episodes.
- Ultimately, the audience’s divided opinions underscored the subjective nature of the competition.
- While technical skill is certainly a factor, personal connection and entertainment value also play a role in shaping both the judges’ and viewers’ perceptions of each couple.
Also Read: Puka Nacua’s Injury Explained: Rams WR Faces Bad News After Lions Matchup
