‘Dancing With the Stars’ 2014: Bethany Mota Falls Out of Season 19 Finals
— -- YouTube star Bethany Mota was sent home tonight on the first night of the season 19 finale of ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” leaving three other finalists in the running for the championship.
The four finalists danced two routines tonight, including the all-important freestyle.
After a closely contested night, actor Alfonso Ribeiro -- who has been a fan favorite this season -- leads the pack with a perfect score of 80 for his two dances tonight, followed by reality TV star Sadie Robertson, with 78 points and actress Janel Parrish with 77 points. Mota had 76 points.
There were boos when Mota’s fate was announced, but she and her pro partner, five-time champion Derek Hough, said they were proud.
“I’ve discovered things about myself that, things I never thought I could do," Mota, 19, said. “I was just hoping to make it past week two so to be in the finals was the best thing ever.”
Hough, the brother of “Dancing” judge Julianne Hough, said he was proud of his partner and of the show.
“This has been an incredible season,” he said.
The competition started 11 weeks ago with 13 competitors -- including actor Antonio Sabato Jr., actress Lea Thompson, talk show host Tavis Smiley and NASCAR legend Michael Waltrip.
For their first routine, the stars had to redo the routine they did in their first week, under the tutelage of a member of the judges’ panel. The second routine, the freestyle, has generally had tremendous significance in determining the overall winner of the competition.
The winner of the mirror ball trophy will be announced during the final night of the finale tomorrow.
