'Dancing with the Stars' Season 11 - Week 10: Finals Recap with Bristol Palin

November 22, 2010, brought part one of the Season 11 finals of "Dancing with the Stars" to Week 10. Following Brandy's departure in Week 9, the popular reality TV show was down to the final three competitors with a little controversy over the fact Bristol Palin was still in the competition for the trophy.

Dancing with the Stars Season 11 - Week 9 Performers

The three "Dancing with the Stars" contestants remaining for the Season 11 Week 10 finals were as follows:

Actress - Jennifer Grey
Actor - Kyle Massey
Teen activist - Bristol Palin

Bristol Palin on the "Dancing with the Stars" Controversy

Before taking the dance floor, Bristol Palin commented that she never thought she would make it this far, stating she has never felt so determined. The teen from Alaska later stated that it the media attention was more difficult to deal with than dancing against Jennifer Grey or Kyle Massey. Palin said it was disappointing that there were still people who didn't think she deserved to be in the competition, saying, "There's lots of haters out there that are waiting to see me fail. That just gives me more motivation."

Palin noted that "A lot of people freaked out last week" when it was announced Brandy was going home, pointing out, "We got the same Paso score that Brandy did."

Bruno Tonioli Coaches Bristol Palin

The judges coached each of the three remaining finalists, and Bruno Tonioli coached Bristol Palin in one rehearsal, inviting the young woman "Go wild with me!" and having her yell "Get out of my life!" in an attempt to help Palin loosen up. After his session, Tonioli joked, "Either she got the message or I scared her to death."

"Dancing with the Stars" - Bristol Palin's Redemption Dance - Jive

Bristol Palin was given the opportunity to perform her Week 6 jive again to the song "Get Out of My Life." Last time Palin and Mark Ballas danced the theme to "The Monkees" in gorilla suits, but Week 10 gave her the chance to get it right in a sweet and flirty blue sequined dance dress while mother Sarah Palin cheered her on from the audience.

Bruno Tonioli took credit for Palin's successful dance saying, "You learned something from me, didn't you?" Tonioli went on to say, "You don't need the gorilla suit. You revealed yourself, you had a good time and didn't worry about anyone else. That's what it's all about."

Carrie Ann Inaba commented, "You never cease to amaze me. That was greater and more vibrant than ever!"

Len Goodman quipped, "Last time a gorilla -- this time a thrillah!"

After a commercial for "Country Strong," Bristol Palin received her scores -- straight 9s from the judges for a total of 27.

"Dancing with the Stars" - Bristol Palin's Freestyle Dance

Palin's partner Mark Ballas picked an ambitious dance from "Fosse Fosse Fosse," and it was clear Palin felt out of her element during rehearsals. She explained she had never heard of "Fosse Fosse Fosse" or been to a Broadway show and wasn't sure how to get into character. "I don't want this to blow up and be a disaster," Palin said. "Now that the mirror ball trophy is in reach, it makes me want to put my all into the dance floor."

For her freestyle, Bristol Palin came out in a cage dressed in a moderately revealing sequined leotard and top hat. From the cage to a chair Palin danced the number well, prompting all the judges to applaud her effort. However, both Tonioli and Inaba felt like the performance did not live "iconic" nature of the routine.

Bruno Tonioli stated, "That's a very iconic number and you did it very, very well but not quite at the level this dance requires."

Carrie Ann Inaba exclaimed, "You got your sexy on!"

Len Goodman pointed out, "When you copy a dance that you've seen so many times, it's hard to get the past performances out of your head, but because I'm a professional, I can do that. I judged it just as a performance. I know you were afraid this would be a disaster, but it was not a disaster; it was very good."

Carrie Ann Ianaba and Bruno Tonioli awarded Bristol Palin 8s for her efforts while Len Goodman felt the dance deserved a 9, giving Palin a 25 for the Freestyle and a 52 for the night.

At the end of part one of the Dancing with the Stars Season 11 finals, the leader board looked lie this:

Jennifer Grey -- 60

Kyle Massey --- 56

Bristol Palin -- 52

Previous: Brandy Leaves 'Dancing With the Stars' Semi-Finals Week 9 Results Show; Bristol Palin Heads to Finals
Next: Jennifer Grey Captures Season 11 of 'Dancing with the Stars' - Takes Home the Mirror Ball Trophy

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