When the Music Hit Different
JoJo Siwa picked 2021 as her most memorable year — the year she came out publicly and started living authentically. Saturday night, she danced a contemporary routine to "I'm Coming Out" that had the studio audience on their feet before the final lift. Her partner Jenna Johnson matched her energy beat for beat, and when the music stopped, JoJo stood center stage with tears streaming down her face. Even Len Goodman, not exactly known for gushing, called it "the most honest piece of dancing we've seen all season." The judges gave her a 36 out of 40.
That wasn't the only moment that hit hard.
Cody Rigsby and the Peloton Effect
Here's what surprised me: Cody Rigsby, the Peloton instructor millions of people already adore, didn't go the obvious route. Instead of picking a career milestone, he chose 2015 — the year his mother got sober. He and Cheryl Burke performed a Viennese waltz that started slow, almost tentative, then built into something sweeping and triumphant. The choreography mirrored the story perfectly. At one point, Cody literally lifted Cheryl off the ground and spun her, and you could see his jaw tighten with emotion. The crowd erupted.
Carrie Ann Inaba wiped her eyes before she even started her critique. "You didn't just dance that," she said, her voice cracking. "You lived it." He earned a 34, his highest score yet.
The Bottom Two Shocker
Nobody expected to see Iman Shumpert in the bottom two. Not after his superhero-themed quickstep in Week 5 had social media calling him "the most improved celebrity in DWTS history." But that's the thing about live voting — it's unpredictable, sometimes brutally so.
He and Daniella Karagach had performed an Argentine tango to "Santa Maria" that night, all sharp flicks and controlled lifts. Technically? Strong. Emotionally? Compelling. But apparently the viewers at home didn't pick up their phones fast enough.
Facing him in the elimination round was Melanie C — Sporty Spice herself — whose jive had been energetic but slightly stiff in the knees. The judges deliberated for what felt like an eternity (probably forty-five seconds, but who's counting). They saved Iman.
Melanie C took it gracefully. "This has been the most incredible experience," she told the camera, hugging her partner Gleb Savchenko. "I've learned more about myself in six weeks than I have in years." Classy exit. Social media, predictably, did not take it as well.
What Week 6 Actually Showed Us
The "Most Memorable Year" theme works because it strips away the competition veneer. You're not watching celebrities perform choreography anymore. You're watching someone process a defining moment of their life through movement. That's a completely different thing.
Think about it: Cody's waltz wasn't technically flawless. His frame was a little wobbly in the opening eight counts. But nobody cared, because the story pulled you in so deeply that technical nitpicking felt almost rude.
Same with Amanda Kloots, who dedicated her foxtrot to her late husband Nick Cordero. She chose 2020 — the year she lost him to COVID complications. The routine was elegant and restrained, which made the grief feel even more present. Tyra Banks, hosting, asked Amanda afterward how she channeled that emotion. Amanda paused, took a breath, and said, "He's always watching. I just let him lead." The room went silent.
Where Things Stand Heading Into Week 7
The leaderboard after Week 6: JoJo at the top with 36, Cody and Amanda tied at 34, and Olivia Jade clawing her way up with a surprisingly fluid rumba that earned her a 33. At the bottom sits Jimmie Allen, whose paso dole was passionate but messy — the judges dinged him for footwork and timing, dropping him to a 28.
What I'm watching for next week: whether Iman can maintain momentum after that bottom-two scare, and if Cody's upward trajectory holds. He's been the season's slow burn, improving a little each week, and those contestants tend to peak right when it matters.
Also worth noting: the show hasn't had a truly controversial elimination yet. Week 6 came close. If the voting patterns stay this erratic, we might see a frontrunner get cut before the finale. That's when things get interesting — and when casual viewers start tuning in to see what the fuss is about.
Dancing with the Stars airs Mondays at 8 PM Eastern on ABC. Catch up on Hulu if you missed anything. Trust me, this season's worth the watch.
