DANCING WITH THE STARS Showdown: Week 3 - The Stars Get Personal

Tonight on DANCING WITH THE STARS, the contestants get personal, with dances that represent a year marking an important event in their lives.

We get things started with Rob Kardashian and his partner, Cheryl. He chooses the year 2003, when he was fifteen years old and his father passed away. While Rob definitely looks far more comfortable on the ballroom floor than he has in past weeks, he still lacks fluidity in between moves; but for week three it's not a bad showing. "You put the 'dash' in 'Kardashian!'" Len says happily, and the pair earns eights across the board for a 24 point total.

Chynna Phillips and Tony will be dancing to Chynna's own song - 1990's "Hold On." She kicks things off with a split and gives a hundred and fifty percent on what's clearly a song she has a personal connection to, earning the praise of all three judges and two nines with an eight from Carrie Ann, for a solid 26 points.

Next up is Chaz Bono, who landed at the bottom of the leaderboard after an injury last week, and Lacey. He chooses this year as his most memorable year and will dance to a song his father Sonny Bono wrote. Unfortunately, despite his best effort and some very strange old West inspired costumes, Chaz's moves aren't much more solid than last week's. "We just try to do our best each time," Chaz says. They earn three sixes for 18 points.

Kristin Cavallari and Mark tackle Beyonce's "Crazy in Love" to commemorate Kristin's high school graduation year. The judges are mildly impressed with with the energetic performance, earning the pair a decent 24 points. "We went up from last week...we're proud." Mark tells Brooke.

Carson Kressley, who's had some of the most personality-filled performances thus far, looks to also incorporate technique this week. He chooses the year 2003, since it was the year "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" hit airwaves. Once again Carson gives an all-out effort, and despite a few places where he's all over the place, it's his best performance by a mile. "That was insanely good!" Bruno tells the two of them, and Carson and Anna walk away with 23 points.

JR Martinez has one of the tougher stories to tell as his most memorable year, choosing the year that he was injured in Iraq at just nineteen years old in 2003. "I chose...to try to be positive from that moment on," he says. "This dance is a tribute to those men and women who didn't make it home." Karina and JR have had some of the stronger performances thus far this season and tonight is even stronger with the poignant impact that it has, earning an emotional JR a standing ovation from the crowd. "You did something extraordinary tonight," Carrie Ann Tells him. They tie for the top score of the night thus far with 26.

Nancy Grace, the mother of twins, chooses the year that they were born. The babies were rushed to intensive care after they were born prematurely, so she chooses the song that she sang to them as a lullaby. Nancy still lacks the posture needed to pull it off, but the judges note that it's a touching performance and award the two 21 points.

Ricki Lake chooses last year as her most memorable year - her house burned down and she met her fiance. The actress, who topped the leaderboard last week, delivers again. "That was fabulous, it was breathtaking, it was gorgeous!" Carrie Ann says, and Ricki and partner Derek top the leaderboard again with a near-perfect 29 points.

Choosing this year is Hope Solo, along with partner Maks. She describes playing in the World Cup but not being able to win, and how it helped her learn that sometimes it really is the journey. The judges like the improvement shown in the dance, but aren't so fond of Hope's athletic walk - all three give her tips on how to look more elegant, but award her 24 points.

David Arquette and Kym close out the night, with David choosing last year due to his divorce from Courteney Cox, who's in the audience with his daughter. "I'm grateful for it, because it made me take a really hard look at myself and I can be there for my daughter," he explains. David garners his highest score yet with the dance, eights from all three judges.

Will your favorite stick around for another week? Tune in tomorrow - with performances from FOOTLOOSE star Julianne Hough, Mary J. Blige, and a special mystery guest! - to find out.

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"Dancing with the Stars" is the U.S. version of the international smash hit series, "Strictly Come Dancing." This version is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. Conrad Green serves as executive producer and Rob Wade is co-executive producer. Alex Rudzinski directs. "Dancing with the Stars" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

 

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