Derek Hough predicted Alix Earle would make ‘Dancing with the Stars’ finals. Was he right?

Hannah Kirby8-10 minutes

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“I have no doubts that we’re going to see you in those finals.”

That’s what “Dancing with the Stars” judge Derek Hough told mega-influencer Alix Earle after she and her pro partner Val Chmerkovskiy performed a perfect score-earning Viennese waltz to “Purple Rain” during the “Prince Night”-themed semifinals Nov. 18.

But, would Hough be right?

Earle has been our main tie to “DWTS” Season 34. Her mom, Alisa — who’s been shown in the “DWTS” audience — is from Wisconsin and her side of the family still lives here.

For the semifinals, the remaining six couples performed two dances to some of Prince’s biggest hits. The duos’ first dances were in a style that they hadn’t yet tackled this season. The other: A repeat style to show how far they’ve come.Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!

After a montage encapsulating fellow Midwesterner Prince’s legendary career, it was time to “dance in his honor” (the words of the narrator of the package). And that, they did.

How did all of the duos, including Earle and Chmerkovskiy, do in the semifinals? Which couples made it to next week’s “DWTS” finale? And, who was eliminated? Here are the answers to those questions and more:

Recap of Alix Earle’s and Val Chmerkovskiy’s first semifinals dance: An Argentine tango to ‘Little Red Corvette’

In their pre-dance video package, Chmerkovskiy said, “We freaking did it,” as Earle chimed in: “We made it.”

“So cool,” he continued.

“I can’t believe we’re here,” Earle said.

“You’ve put in the work,” Chmerkovskiy said. “Thank you. That means a lot,” Earle replied.

Earle described Prince as “authentically himself” and “always a great performer.” “I want to channel that,” Earle said.

She told her partner that she wants to unlock a different version of what she ever thought she was capable of.

“The Argentine tango lives and breaths passion,” Chmerkovskiy said. “This part in the competition is just how much discomfort and pain can you take.”

“This song demands intensity and so does the Argentine tango. So, I’m just expecting and welcoming a lot of hurt and pain,” Earle said before the package cut to her hurting her toe in rehearsals.

With some amazing Argentine tangos this season, Earle said, she and her partner needed to make sure that theirs would be “every bit as memorable” if they wanted a spot in the finale.

What the judges had to say about the performance:

• Derek Hough: “I didn’t like it, I loved it! I always wanted to do that. No truly. Listen, Alix. I really think that you have the potential to go all the way in this competition. All the way to the end.” He praised her lines and told her, “Well done!”
• Bruno Tonioli: “Excuse me, the red goddess!” … “The shapes, the lines, the body work — top notch.” While he said a movement could’ve been sharper, noting that he saw it in Earle’s face when she “missed it,” he said she is “most improved.” “You’re like a gem that gets brighter and brighter.”
• Carrie Ann Inaba: “Out of all the competitors who are here tonight, you have grown the most, steadily, in all aspects of your performance. You’re really blossoming.” While she called the dance “fantastic,” Inaba’s critiques for Earle were that her shoulders came up and that she looked like she was “gripping onto the dance” rather than “being in control” of it.

As Earle and Chmerkovskiy awaited their scores, co-host Julianne Hough asked Earle what it felt like to hear that Tonioli and Inaba think she’s one of the most improved.

“That means so much,” Earle said. “Honestly, I have the best partner who’s been pushing me so, so much. Even up until right before the show.”

She noted her appreciation for the feedback she received because she wants to stay in the competition and keep working to get better.

“That’s just been our motto every week,” she said.

Earle’s and Chmerkovskiy’s score: 28 out of 30.

How the other ‘Dancing with the Stars’ celebs and their pro partners did in their first dances of semifinals

• Film and TV actress Elaine Hendrix and partner Alan Bersten: A foxtrot to “I Wanna Be Your Lover.” Score: 27.
• “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Whitney Leavitt and partner Mark Ballas: A cha cha to “1999.” Score: 29.
• Reality TV star and content creator Dylan Efron and partner Daniella Karagach: A tango to “I Would Die 4 U.” Score: 27.
• Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles and partner Ezra Sosa: A jive to “Raspberry Beret.” Score: 27.
• Wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin and partner Witney Carson: A jive to “Baby I’m a Star.” Score: 30, a perfect score.

Recap of Alix Earle’s and Val Chmerkovskiy’s second semifinals dance: A Viennese waltz to ‘Purple Rain’

Chmerkovskiy told Earle that he thinks “Purple Rain” — the song that they’d be doing a Viennese waltz to — is not only “one of Prince’s best songs,” but “one of the most beautiful songs ever.”

The song lends itself to a much more emotional performance, he said.

“I’ve gotten so emotionally in-tune with myself throughout this,” Earle said, trying to hold back tears. “I am so excited getting to do this every day and I’m going to be so upset when this is over.”

Earle told Chmerkovskiy that she’s loved waking up every day to dance, learn more and challenge herself. So much so, she forgot that this isn’t her actual every-day life.

“Let’s really savor these dances,” he replied.

In a cutaway, Earle said: “I’ve just learned so much about myself. It’s given me a different work ethic. And, I am more confident in being prepared to fail and it’s nothing I could’ve prepared myself for.”

What the judges had to say about the performance:

• Derek Hough: “Dance, it really transforms. And, we’ve seen you blossom into a beautiful, beautiful dancer. Truly. I have no doubts that we’re going to see you in those finals. It was a powerful, passionate and stunning Viennese waltz.”
• Bruno Tonioli: “You delivered what I wanted: The perfect combination of motion and emotion. You were so connected and so into what was happening as a performer. You felt the music, you trusted (Chmerkovskiy).”
• Carrie Ann Inaba: She said Season 34 has “by far” been the most challenging and competitive season of “DWTS” ever. “A performance like this is going to go down in history. This was so powerful. You have blossomed. Because you are exactly what we always want. We want somebody to grow. You grow and then you deliver this passionate, beautiful performance. I am so proud of you, Alix.”

Before Earle’s and Chmerkovskiy’s scores were revealed, Julianne Hough asked Earle what the competition and the judges’ comments meant to her.

“It means everything to me to hear that from the judges,” Earle said. “And, like I said in the package, this has just been the best experience. And, every single day, I wake up so happy to dance and just learn more about myself and be with Val.”

Earle’s and Chmerkovskiy’s score: 30, a perfect score.

How the other ‘Dancing with the Stars’ celebs and their pro partners did in their second dances of semifinals

• Hendrix and Bersten: A paso doble to “When Doves Cry.” Score: 30, their first perfect score of the season.
• Efron and Karagach: A cha cha to “Kiss.” Score: 28.
• Leavitt and Ballas: A Viennese waltz to “Slow Love.” Score: 29.
• Chiles and Sosa: An Argentine Tango to “U Got the Look.” Score: 30, their first perfect score of the season.
• Irwin and Carson: A Viennese waltz to “WOW.” Score: 29.

The judges’ leaderboard, combining the scores from both semifinals dances

• Irwin and Carson: 59
• Earle and Chmerkovskiy: 58
• Leavitt and Ballas: 58
• Hendrix and Bersten: 57
• Chiles and Sosa: 57
• Efron and Karagach: 55

Who was eliminated on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ this week?

After combining the judges’ scores with live fan votes, Leavitt and Ballas were eliminated.

Who made it to the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ finals?

• Irwin and Carson
• Earle and Chmerkovskiy
• Hendrix and Bersten
• Chiles and Sosa
• Efron and Karagach

How to watch the ‘Dancing with the Stars’ season finale

The “Dancing with the Stars” season finale is set to air live at 7 p.m. CT Tuesday, Nov. 25 on ABC and Disney+. It’ll stream the next day on Hulu.