‘Dancing With The Stars’ Sends Two Celebs Home, Pays Tribute to Patrick Swayze

 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: September 23, 2009 9:18 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: September 24, 2009 12:54 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

Dancing With the Stars” wrapped up its three-night season premiere on Wednesday with two predictable eliminations.

Ashley Hamilton, the son of former “DWTS” competitor George Hamilton and Alana Stewart, was the first from the celebrity males to go.

“It’s been a blast,” the actor said as he learned his fate, his elimination also kicking professional Edyta Sliwinska out of the competition. “I’ve had a great partner, such a great experience and I’m just so grateful to be on the show.”

Edyta too was disappointed at being booted from the show, claiming they could have really brought some fire to the competition in future weeks.

“I wish we could stay a little longer, because as he said, we had a blast working together and I think he had a lot more to offer,” she said.

Also eliminated was singer Macy Gray, which took professional Jonathan Roberts out of the competition.

“It’s been cool,” the “I Try” singer said. “Ballroom isn’t my calling exactly, but I learned a little bit and we had a good time.”

In addition to the eliminations, “Dancing” paid a moving tribute to the late Patrick Swayze, who was a supporter of the program and previously visited the show during its first season.

Several of the “DWTS” pros – including Tony Dovolani and Cheryl Burke – recreated some of the late actor’s most memorable numbers.

Tony and Cheryl performed the Johnny and Baby dance from “Dirty Dancing,” including the famous lift, leaving some audience members teary-eyed.

“Dancing With the Stars” will return next week with a twist – “Moulin Rouge” director Baz Luhrman will sit in as a guest judge.

Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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