Judges Hail Best Rumba as Niamh Kavanagh Exits Dancing with the Stars

This week on *Dancing with the Stars*, Niamh Kavanagh was eliminated after facing Jordan Dargan in the dance-off. Kavanagh’s tango to Destiny’s Child’s “Survivor” garnered positive feedback but fell short against Dargan, who has consistently been a frontrunner. His quickstep earned a commendable score of **35 out of 40**, securing his place in next week’s landmark **100th episode**.

The judges acknowledged Kavanagh’s steady improvement throughout the competition. As she exited the stage, she humorously remarked on her relief of escaping partner Stephen Vincent’s “dad jokes.” Kavanagh expressed pride in her journey, stating, “I’ve done something I never thought I’d be able to do… I will take this right into the next decade.”

Outstanding Performances Highlighted

Among the standout performances was Katelyn Cummins, the current Rose of Tralee. The judges praised her rumba, with Karen Byrne and Brian Redmond declaring it “the best female celebrity rumba” in the show’s history. Head judge Oti Mabuse referred to it as “the rumba of dreams.” Cummins scored **39 points**, narrowly missing a perfect score only from Redmond.

Close competitors included singer-songwriter Tolü Makay and Olympic rower Philip Doyle, both of whom faced a dance-off last week. Redmond described Makay’s salsa as “full of fun and energy,” while Gourounlian awarded her a perfect **10** for her performance. He exclaimed, “You were igniting the dancefloor… electric, intoxicating, exhilarating!” Makay finished with a total score of **36**.

Doyle’s Charleston to Girls Aloud’s “Love Machine” impressed the judges, with Gourounlian dubbing him “the king of lifts.” Mabuse noted his versatility, stating there seemed to be “no end” to his talents. He tied with Dargan, both earning **35 points**.

Team Dance Challenge Results

This week also featured the annual Team Dance challenge, where presenter Jennifer Zamparelli led the boys’ team. This group, which included Eric Roberts, Jordan Dargan, Paudie Moloney, and Philip Doyle, scored **33 out of 40**. The ladies’ team, captained by Laura Fox and featuring Katelyn Cummins, Niamh Kavanagh, Stephanie Kelly, and Tolü Makay, triumphed with their routine to the Spice Girls’ hit “Spice Up Your Life,” achieving an impressive **39 points** from the judges.

In the mix, Eric Roberts delivered a vibrant cha-cha-cha, though judges noted timing issues that reduced his score to **32**. Fair City actress Stephanie Kelly also showcased her talent with a “whimsical” Viennese waltz, earning **31 points**.

At the bottom of the leaderboard was Paudie Moloney, who received constructive feedback from the judges. Redmond mentioned that his “movement wasn’t strong enough,” but other judges complimented his clean timing and tango frame. Ultimately, he scored **22**.

As the competition continues to heat up, viewers can look forward to the upcoming landmark episode. The performances promise to bring even more excitement as the contestants strive for the coveted title.