Bristol 'the pistol' Palin comes out all guns blazing as earns her highest ever score on Dancing With The Stars

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqMQctE-Qbkendofvid

[starttext]
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Dancing up a storm: Bristol Palin donned a sexy black outfit as she danced the Paso Doble with partner Mark Ballas on tonight's Dancing With The Stars


She may have been at the bottom of the leader board six times, but that clearly hasn't put off Bristol Palin.

The 20-year-old wowed the Dancing With The Stars judges with her best performances yet in tonight's semi finals.

Vamping it up in a tight black outfit with a split skirt, she received 27 points - her highest ever score - for her Pasa Doble with partner Mark Ballas.


Black magic: Bristol looked sultry in a tight black studded outfit and split skirt


Head judge Len Goodman said: 'Bristol the pistol - you've fired a few blanks but tonight it's all guns blazing.'

While fellow judge Carrie Ann Inaba said: 'You're on fire. This is what we've been asking for all season long and you come out and you nail it.'

The youngster, who has defied critics by winning viewers votes, said she believed the public liked her because 'I'm real.'


High score: Bristol and her partner Mark Ballas scored a season high of 53 out of 60 points for their two dances


However, rehearsal footage showed her looking visibly nervous at the prospect of having to perform a short part of the dance on her own for Solo Night week.

It was also Back Story Week on the show, where footage was shown of the stars' backgrounds and careers.

There were interviews with Bristol's mother Sarah Palin and her father Todd who discussed their daughter's journey following her teen pregnancy - she gave birth to a son Tripp, aged 18.

'I am so proud of Bristol,' her mother told the cameras. 'I'm her biggest fan.
'She told me, "Mum, I'm going to get criticised anyway." They may say mean things, they may try to bring you down but you might as well dance.'

Her parents Sarah, Todd and younger sister Willow, were all in the audience to show their support.


Show of support: Sarah Palin (centre) her husband Todd, and Bristol's younger sister Willow were in the audience to watch Bristol's performance tonight


Bristol also impressed the judges with her waltz, which Bruno called 'haunting.'
But the night belonged to Dirty Dancing star Jennifer Grey, who scored three perfect tens for each of her dances.

The 50-year-old and her partner Derek Hough were overjoyed with their scores for the energetic cha cha cha and romantic waltz.

Carrie Ann said: 'I've been waiting all season to see Jennifer Grey do the cha cha cha on her own and I was not disappointed.'



Perfect ten: Jennifer Grey and her partner Derek Hough cha cha cha and waltz impressed the judges


Her waltz also caught the judges enthusiasm.

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

'You are a great dancer and don't forget it,' said Bruno.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis also voiced her admiration for her friend on recorded footage, saying Jennifer's first ever dance on the show 'took my breath away.'


Silky: The Dirty Dancing star and her partner showed off perfect timing with their romantic waltz


However, competition is clearly getting tougher in the show, with Brandy and Kyle Massey also putting in strong performances.

The 19-year-old Disney star won over the judges with his enthusiastic interpretation of the samba, with Bruno labelling him a 'bouncing bundle of joy.'

Carrie Ann said: 'I have never ever seen such pelvic action ever.'
Backstage, Kyle admitted he and his partner had put in a 'ton of work.'

'We just wanted to come out here and make the crowd enjoy it,' he said.


Blame it on the booty: Kyle Massey and his partner Lacey Schwimmer entertained the audience with their samba


Inventive: Lacey and Kyle scored 29 points out of 30 for their vigorous dance


And it clearly paid off with Len telling him: 'You are a star. In 11 seasons I don't think anyone has ever come out and performed with this much attack and enthusiasm as you have.'

Meanwhile Bruno labelled him 'Mr Charisma.'

Singer Brandy and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy also looked confident performing their Pasa Doble, with Brandy showing her flexibility on the floor.


Acrobatic: Brandy and Maksim Chmerkovskiy looked impressive on the dance floor for their Pasa Doble


The judges awarded them 27 points for their interpretation of the Spanish dance, but they pulled it back to full marks for their Argentine tango.

Bruno told them their dance was 'lush, languid, voluptuous, with great emotional depth.'

Viewers will have to wait until the votes are in on tomorrow night's show to see which three couples make it through to next weeks grand final.


Celebration: The singer and her partner were overjoyed to obtain perfect scores for their interpretation of the Spanish ballroom dance






source: dailymail [endtext]