Entertainment Weekly Reviews Laila's Performance on Last Week's "Dancing With the Stars"
Annie Barrett
EW.com
Before I discuss dances, I just want to point out that, against all odds, Samantha Harris somewhat redeemed herself last night. Did anyone else catch that giggle she squeaked out after letting us know that these were the 'most important dances of the stars' lives'? So endearing! It seemed that she was finally in on the joke. I wonder if Tom grandfathered her in, or if she figured out all on her own just how laughable the whole shebang is. Or, more likely, someone next to the cue-card guy held up a big green sign that either said 'Laugh' or featured a picture of Samantha with a microphone, because either would spark a momentary fit of delight. Whichever way it went down, Sam, I salute you!
Then again, the two dances Apolo, Joey, and Laila performed tonight — a 'judges' choice' and a freestyle — might actually have been the most important dances of their lives. Does anyone really think Laila and Apolo are ever going to flit around a stage again, unless it's this same stage a year from now? Oh-no. And Joey's had a lot of important group-oriented stomps, but the stomping he's done here will undoubtedly go down as his greatest solo dancing achievement. So maybe that means Sam was right. Without realizing it? There are so many layers of what-ifs and uncertain truths and spangly sneakers that I'm just going to get on with it like I could have 13 sentences ago, and that's including this one.
As for Laila Ali and Maks (55 out of 60), I'm still loyal to my fellow tall girl. All that rehearsal footage of her hesitating to jump onto Maks because she wasn't 'like the other girls' brought a tear to my eye. Not a real one, but I bet it would have been real if I hadn't been typing notes and could have really committed to the moment. I wish she'd have committed more to the Maks pounce, too. Anyone dying to bare his arms and chest at regular intervals should have had the chance to twirl Laila Ali above his head. But Maks could not. Sadly, that freestyle they did was kind of jank — I wasn't quite sure what they were going for the entire time, and who the hell came up with Laila's costume? I think she stole a pair of Master P's sparkle shoes. Good thing he's only five inches tall this season, so his complaint won't even register on her glamazon radar. I did like Laila's adorably funky solo part at the end, but it wasn't enough. The pair's paso doble, however, delighted everyone in the house. Laila looked amazing and never broke character during the intense — or, as Big Gob called it, 'dripping with emotion' — dance. It was a load of bull, in the very best way.
Read the complete recap.
