After a dramatic semifinals round, “Dancing with the Stars” has named its final three.
Sadly, for early Season 12 frontrunners Ralph Macchio and professional partner Karina Smirnoff, they will not be part of that group.
After spending Monday night at the bottom of the leaderboard, Ralph and Karina were eliminated on Tuesday night, leaving Hines Ward and Kym Johnson; Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas; and Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy to carry on into next week’s finals.
While he didn’t make it through, Ralph left the show with much more than he came with to the ballroom.
“The memories I take with me are — day 1, when we came out here with the foxtrot and this place erupted here in this theater and out on the streets and I will never forget how the fans have driven us through every week,” he told show co-hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke.
“It inspired me,” Ralph continued. “I would run here every Monday for us to present what we worked on and I love that and my gratitude is overwhelmed.”
Beyond thanking his friends and family for pressuring him into doing the show, Ralph had one of the most sincere thanks in “Dancing” history for his partner, Karina, who has yet to claim mirrorball glory.
“Karina, you have inspired me in so many ways with your heart, your talent, your class, your integrity as an artist and even more so as a human being,” he said to the clearly touched pro. “I am proud to have been your dance partner and more proud to be your friend.”
“Dancing with the Stars” returns with the finals on Monday at 8 PM ET/PT on ABC.
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