Dancing with the Stars Episode 17: Solid Semi-Finals Performances

Dancing with the Stars, episode 17 brings us to the semi-finals. The four couples left are Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer, Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas and Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough. Each couple performed two dances for their final scores.

Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Still dealing with the fall-out of his argument with Carrie Ann Inaba, Maks said to Brandy, "I don't want you to be at fault for something I did." It's clear that Brandy and Maks are friends and Brandy responded by letting Maks know that if she ever finds herself in trouble, she's calling Maks to defend her.

Their first dance was the Paso Doble. In this dance, Brandy greatly improved her upper body shape.

Brandy started singing at 2, and she received a lot of her early experience in church where her father was a minister of music. At 15, she cut her first album. But she hit hard times with two albums that flopped and involvement in a fatal car accident. Although she was found not to be at fault for the accident, it was a depressing time for her. She was so low, she spent three months in her home and never left it.

Brandy and Maks' second dance was the Argentine Tango, and it was executed perfectly. "You moved in and out of those lifts with effortless ease," said Len Goodman. "You created an atmosphere."

For the Argentine Tango, Brandy and Maks received three perfect 10's for a total score of 57 out of 60.

Jennifer Grey and Derek Hough

Jennifer has topped the leaderboard more than any other celebrity this season. "One of the things I love about Jennifer is her love of dancing," said Derek. Jennifer's love of dance, despite all of the physical problems she's had this season, really shines through.

After her perfect Cha Cha Cha, Len Goodman said, "You combined good technique with a really high performance level and you introduced fun and entertainment." Jennifer and Derek received a perfect score of all 10's.

Jennifer grew up in New York with her famous dancer father Joel Grey. She appeared in Ferris Bueller's Day Off with Matthew Broderick and became a major celebrity with Dirty Dancing. But Jennifer and Matthew got into a serious car accident, back in the late 80's, where a mother and daughter were killed. Jennifer's neck was badly hurt in the accident and it has bothered her ever since. She knew that before she danced for Dancing with the Stars she'd have to get an operation to stabilize her neck.

Her second dance with Derek, the Waltz, was another perfect routine.

"The body never lies," said Carrie Ann. "Through dancing we can actually see people's soul."

"Sometimes a whisper can speak louder than a shout," said Len. "If I'm dreaming, don't wake me up, because that was fabulous."

Two perfect routines left Jennifer and Derek with a 60 out of 60 - top of the leaderboard again.

Bristol Palin and Mark Ballas

Bristol Palin wants you to know, "I'm not fake." "I'm not typical Hollywood." She is aware of all the comments and says that people are voting to keep her in because she's real and people can relate to her. She rejects that it's Sarah Palin lovers or the Tea Party.

Dancing the Paso Doble, Bristol and Mark danced one of their best dances. "This is what we've been asking for all season long," said Carrie Ann.

The pair received all 9's for their first dance.

Born in Wasilla, Alaska, Sarah and Todd Palin said Bristol was an independent little girl who wanted to play football. Bristol said she never had any problems or challenges until she started dating Levi, and she wants the world to know that Levi is the only guy she slept with. When she was asked to be on Dancing with the Stars, she drove her truck from Alaska to Hollywood. It took five days.

Dressed in black again, which is a good color for Bristol, Bristol and Derek danced the Waltz. "You were like a woman of mystery," said Bruno.

Bristol and Mark received a total score of 53 out of 60.

Kyle Massey and Lacey Schwimmer

Kyle is a dancer who has never taken the top or the bottom of the leaderboard. "You're the last man-child standing," Lacey said to Kyle.

Says Kyle, "I may joke around and laugh a lot, but this competition is no joke to me."

Kyle and Lacey's first dance was the Samba.

It's always a joy to watch Kyle perform," said Len. "There's no backstage drama. You come out and you just get on with it."

Young Kyle was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, which Kyle calls a big city with a small town feel. His first job was on Grandpa's Garage. Then his mother took out $10,000 and moved to L.A. to see if Kyle could become a star, and he did, getting the That's so Raven gig and Cory in the House.

Kyle and Lacey's last dance was the Argentine Tango.

Carrie Ann told Kyle that he reminded her of Emmitt Smith.

Their final score was 58 out of 60

Dancing with the Stars Week 9 Results on November 16, 2010 on ABC 9/8c

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Dancing with the Stars on ABC