Host Tyra Banks announced, “Due to a potential COVID exposure, and although he’s fully vaccinated and tested negative, Derek will sit out tonight’s show out of an abundance of caution.” That meant that the judges panel returned to its original members: Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli. Tyra did not say when or who exposed Derek to COVID, but it may not have been at DWTS as the Emmy-winning choreographer has also been working in Las Vegas, where he has been performing, Derek Hough: No Limit, at The Venetian. According to pro partner Sasha Farber, who is dancing with Olympic Gold Medalist Suni Lee, Dancing with the Stars is taking every precaution to keep them safe. “We’re not going out,” he said. “We’re not doing stuff. We’re in pods. Cheryl [and Cody] were traveling at the time, Derek is on tour, so anything can happen. We wanted to go out to see Derek’s tour, actually, fly out to Vegas, but, again, Dancing with the Stars has us in these pods, where you can’t even speak to the other couples. I feel like we’re safe. Anything can happen, but I think the right protocols have been taken.” Cheryl Burke was the first to have to sit out a performance thanks to COVID. She revealed she had tested positive for breakthrough COVID last week and wouldn’t be able to dance with Cody Rigsby on last week’s show. Fortunately, the show rules permitted the judges to rate them based on a rehearsal video, so the couple were able to stay in the competition. Even as the show was figuring out who would dance with Cody on Britney Spears night, the Peloton instructor revealed he, too, had breakthrough COVID, and everything was up in the air for a while. But then it was decided that Cody and Cheryl would do a Jazz number, which meant they would each be able to perform from their respective homes and continue on in their pursuit of the Mirror Ball trophy. The judges weren’t thrilled with the results. Bruno said it was a “good effort.” Len said it was “strange times,” and they were awarded a score of 18 as it wasn’t really comparable to what it would have been in the ballroom. Dancing with the Stars normally airs Monday nights at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, but next week it will air on Tuesday night as well. The theme for the two nights will be Disney Heroes and Villains. Next, A Milestone Season! Everything We Know About Dancing With the Stars Season 30, Including the Full Cast
