Love & War

week 2: elvis night

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Week 2 of Dancing with the Stars kicked off with plenty of anticipation surrounding Frankie Gomez, the fierce Love Island star turned ballroom rookie, and her pro partner, Val Chmerkovskiy. Frankie had made an impressive debut, scoring a 23 for their Cha Cha, which placed them at the top of the leaderboard—a major accomplishment for someone with minimal dance experience. Now, with Elvis Night on the horizon, it was time to tackle the Quickstep—a dance known for its speed and precision. Although Frankie's background as a gymnast had given her a solid foundation, she still felt the pressure of having to master a new skillset under the scrutiny of millions.

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Back in the Studio:

Val was already thinking ahead, eager to keep the momentum going from their impressive debut. "Okay, Frankie. The Quickstep is a whole different beast. It's fast, it's light, and it's got that bounce. But I know you've got it in you. You've got the energy, and that's half the battle."

Frankie nodded, trying to take it all in. While her performance the week before had shown promise, Val wasn't about to let her rest on her laurels. "This week, I need you to trust your instincts. Don't hold back. Just like in gymnastics, you've got to give it your all."

Frankie's confessional:
"The Quickstep sounds terrifying, to be honest. But I really want to keep proving myself—not just to the judges, but to Val too. He's been so patient with me, and I don't want to let him down."

Val noticed her nerves but was determined to push her. "We'll break it down in segments, but remember—this dance needs to feel effortless. Even when it's fast, you need to keep that lightness and grace in your steps."

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Over the next few days, Frankie threw herself into rehearsals. Despite her nerves, she focused on the technical aspects Val emphasized. The key to the Quickstep was maintaining balance while moving quickly, and Frankie struggled a bit with the quick footwork. As a gymnast, she was used to precision and control, but this dance required a different kind of finesse.

"Your arms are great—keep them strong and sharp. But your legs need to feel lighter, like you're gliding, not stomping," Val instructed, demonstrating the flow of the steps again.

Frankie wiped the sweat off her brow, determination in her eyes. "I've got this," she muttered, reminding herself that hard work was her strength.

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Elvis Night:

The energy in the ballroom was electric. The crowd had been hyped all night, and now it was Frankie and Val's turn to keep the momentum going from Week 1.

Julianne Hough's voice boomed as she introduced them: "From Love Island to the ballroom, can Frankie Gomez keep the heat going? She and Val are about to show us their Quickstep!" As their intro package played, Frankie and Val took their positions on the floor.

As the music started, Frankie's face was set in concentration. The remix of a popular Elvis track blared through the speakers, and they launched into the Quickstep. At first, Frankie was a little stiff—her movements sharp, but hesitant. However, as the routine progressed, she found her rhythm and began to shine.

Once their routine concluded, Frankie and Val shared a celebratory hug. As they made their way over to the judges, catching their breath, the camera panned to Frankie's friends and family in the audience: Rob, Xolo, Leah, Serena, Liv, and Kaylor.

Bruno was the first to speak after their performance. "That was fantastic! You started a little shaky, but then you found your flow. Your timing was much better than last week. That lightness is starting to come through."

Carrie Ann nodded. "It's clear you've worked hard this week. There were a few moments where you lost a bit of your bounce, but the energy was there. The Quickstep is tough, and you held your own. Very impressive."

Derek grinned. "You're a work in progress, but I see a lot of potential. You have the musicality, and the more you let go and enjoy it, the better you'll get."

The couple took a moment to catch their breath before heading up to Julianne Hough for their scores.

Julianne smiled at them. "Another great effort tonight. What do you think, Val?"

Val looked down at Frankie with a proud expression. "She's killing it. She just needs to relax and enjoy herself a little more. The technical side is coming together."

Julianne turned to the judges. "Let's see what the judges think."

"8!" Carrie Ann shouted.

"8!" Derek called out.

"8!" Bruno said with a grin.

"That's a 24 for Frankie and Val!" Julianne announced. "Another solid score for them."

With their consistent scores, Frankie and Val remained at the top of the leaderboard, tied with Chandler and Brandon. The top two couples were declared safe in this double elimination, with Tori Spelling and Anna Delvey being the first eliminated. The pressure was on to keep the momentum going, but Frankie was ready for the challenge. Week 3 would bring a new dance, but for now, she had proven that her determination and athletic background could carry her far in the competition.

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Vote in the comments for the next double elimination. Who do you want to see gone next episode?

Jenn and Sasha

Dwight and Daniela

Frankie and Val

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Ilona and Alan

Chandler and Brandon

Danny and Whitney

Stephen and Riley

Eric and Britt

Reggie and Emma

Brooks and Gleb