Alexa PenaVega came back with a vengeance to get the first perfect score of the season on “Dancing with the Stars.”
The former “Spy Kids” actress performed poorly last week – receiving 21 out of 30 – for her foxtrot to “Mama Said” by The Shirelles with partner Mark Ballas.
“I think the hardest part was talking to Mark about it afterwards,” she said in a pre-taped interview. “He was so down and he kept telling me ‘you might get eliminated.’ And that was kind of a bummer cause I want him to believe in me.”
But PenaVega brushed off last week’s performance and took on the much dreaded switch up week with pro Derek Hough (and Ballas’ best friend) helping her build her confidence back up.
The duo danced an epic tango to Bastille’s “Pompeii” that oohed and awed the judges – one of them, Carrie Ann Inaba, even gave the dancing duo a standing ovation.
“That was not just a (tango), that was a revolution,” said Inaba, who initially called their dance a paso doble.
“There was an element of authenticity and we saw you light up while you were dancing,” Julianne Hough told PenaVega.
The judges, including guest judge Maksim Chmerkovskiy, gave her a 40 out of 40 – the highest score of the night, and the first perfect score of the season.
“I could not do it without these three men right here,” PenaVega said, pointing to Derek Hough, Ballas and husband Carlos PenaVega. “Holy wow!”
After the show, she couldn't stop gushing about dancer Hough and their score.
"WHATTTTTT?!! I cannot even begin to explain tonight. It still doesn't feel real!!! @derekhough THANK YOU for pushing me and encouraging me all week. Making me say my "I AM's" and reminding me of the strong woman God made me to be!!! You lit the fire this week," she wrote on Instagram. "Beyond thankful for your patience, your love and your incredible encouragement. #DWTS"
As for her husband, Carlos PenaVega received the second highest score of the night, receiving a 39 out of 40 from the judges for his quickstep to Elvis Presley’s “Bossa Nova Baby” with “new” partner Lindsay Arnold.
Nobody was eliminated Monday night, however the judges’ scores will be added to last week’s sores to determine who will move to the next round.
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