How Tamar Braxton’s Withdrawal Shakes Up ‘Dancing With The Stars’
Entertainment Tonight reported that Tamar Braxton made the wise and sensible decision to withdraw from Dancing With the Stars after doctors discovered she had blood clots in her lungs. Braxton missed most of Monday night’s live show because of hospitalization for what those around her believed to be pneumonia. She returned for the team dances, clearly woozy. But by doing so she saved her spot on the show — at least temporarily.
If Tamar hadn’t come back, the rules would have forced her to withdraw. The same situation faced Real Housewives of Atlanta star Kim Zolciak, who also pulled out earlier this season because of health concerns. But because Tamar stuck it out, Dancing With the Stars went ahead with its scheduled elimination. Alexa PenaVega and her husband Carlos PenaVega were up against one another at the end, and it was Alexa who went home.
But those who want Alexa to come back, and think she might have given a People magazine report that said her reinstatement is a possibility, might be disappointed to learn the Spy Kids star apparently hasn’t been asked back. That’s the impression she gave with a Wednesday Instagram post where she embraced fellow contestant Alek Skarlatos. Her caption indicated she was back in the DWTS fold but had mixed emotions, so she probably wasn’t rehearsing a new number.
“Happy Veterans Day!!! THANK YOU @alekskarlatos!!! #Hero!!! So crazy stopping by Los’ rehearsal today! #HappySad so many feelings!!#DWTS”
With less than two weeks to go before the season finale, Dancing With the Stars is left with only four contestants: Carlos PenaVega, Skarlatos, Bindi Irwin, and Nick Carter. Typically, there’s one more elimination before the semi-finals and a final elimination before the finals, which is a group of three. With only four couples left, the show has effectively fast-forwarded to the semi-finals.
People did quote an unnamed DWTS insider who said Alexa PenaVega’s return could happen, simply because producers were looking at all possibilities. However, as the article points out, fans did not get the chance to vote for Alexa and her partner Mark Ballas after Monday night’s show, because she had been eliminated.
An unnamed source told Hollywood Life that there are no plans to bring Alexa back, but the show is going to let the rumors run their course.
“The plan is to continue the show with who is left and not to bring anyone back. They want the discussion to be made until then for tune in purposes, but they intend to ride out the show with who they have left.”
Alexa and Carlos were the first married couple to compete on Dancing With the Stars. Alexa’s elimination came on a night when she got all 10s from the judges for her individual dance and team performance. The pair were emotional before the results were announced, a fact picked up by the official Dancing With the Stars Twitter account.
Relationship Goals. #dwts pic.twitter.com/hvem7qeCwE
— Official DWTS (@DancingABC) November 11, 2015
So far next week the celebrities plan to each perform an individual dance and a trio number. In past seasons, a trio has been made up of a competing pair and an “extra” professional dancer. If only four teams perform, it’s uncertain at this point if no one will be eliminated and how that extra time will be made up during the broadcast. Host Tom Bergeron made light of the producers’ dilemma on Twitter Wednesday, asking followers if they have any preferences for the outcome. He then offered up a personal suggestion.
Sending best wishes to @TamarBraxtonHer on a fast recovery. @DancingABC producers are “looking at all possibilities.” Got a favorite?
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) November 11, 2015
Personally, I’m hoping we give another chance to @Kenny_Mayne! https://t.co/ivO41Dnu9b #DWTS @DancingABC
— Tom Bergeron (@Tom_Bergeron) November 11, 2015
Dancing With the Stars airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. on ABC.
[Main photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images Entertainment]
