2024 Olympic double bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik continued to impress as he and partner Rylee Arnold’s paso doble earned high marks from all three judges on the second episode of ‘Dancing with the Stars’ on Tuesday.
“That was golden,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba of the pair’s performance to the theme from the 1978 film ‘Superman.’ “The likability factor in your routine is so amazing, and it’s because you do everything full out. Your lines, your extensions were really nice.”
Judge Derek Hough referred to Nedoroscik as “so charming” and likened his energy to a speeding bullet, while judge Bruno Tonioli also praised his vitality but advised him to continue honing his skills.
“You have so much energy, but now you have to learn to control it,” Tonioli said. “You cannot attack endlessly. You have to add finesse, refinement. Extend those lines. Don’t anticipate. Punch, punch, punch, but then we need a caress.”
Nedoroscik and Arnold’s performance on Tuesday earned them 22 points, including an 8 from Inaba and 7s from Hough and Tonioli. Their combined score of 43 points for their performances in the first two episodes put them in a tie for third place with “The Bachelor” contestant Joey Graziadei and partner Jenna Johnson.
Actress Chandler Kinney and partner Brandon Armstrong danced to the top of the leader board with a two-episode total of 47 points, one spot above NBA star Dwight Howard and partner Daniella Karagach, who had 44 points. Based on judges’ scores and audience votes after the first two episodes, two pairs (Tori Spelling and partner Pasha Pashkov, and Anna Delvey and partner Ezra Sosa) were eliminated.
Nedoroscik said he enjoyed performing Tuesday as Clark Kent-turned-Superman, especially after fans likened him to the dual character during this summer’s Paris Olympic Games.
“At the Olympics everyone said I was Clark Kent,” said Nedoroscik, who won bronze on pommel horse and in the team final at this summer’s Paris Games. “I was sitting there meditating, I took my glasses off, killed it and came home with bronze. People started calling me Superman. I would never have been here if it weren’t for that meme.”
The paso doble also gave him the chance to expand his dance talent following his and Arnold’s well-received jive on his “Dancing with the Stars” debut last week.
“This dance was so different,” Nedoroscik said. “I had to be serious, I had to be stiff. I had to put my hips out. It was really fun learning it because of how different it was, so I really enjoyed this journey and I’m proud of what I just did.”
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