The cast of 'Dancing' (ABC)
One less contender remains in the battle for the "Dancing with the Stars" Season 20 crown.
(Spoiler Alert! This story contains the results of Monday's elimination on "DWTS.")
While football players have often done well on "Dancing," on Monday, athlete Michael Sam and his pro partner, Peta Murgatroyd, were cut from the competition.
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"It was an awesome experience," Michael told show hosts Tom Bergeron and Erin Andrews, following his elimination news.
Michael praised Peta, saying she was "amazing" to work with.
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"I had a great time, an awesome experience," he added.
Before he learned of his "DWTS" exit, Michael got to share the emotional story of his most memorable year, which was the theme of Monday night's show.
For Michael, that year was 2014, when he came out. In his taped intro package, he said coming out cost him his relationship with his father. He then hit the ballroom to turn his experience into a emotional rumba with Peta to "Not My Father's Son" – a routine that brought the house to their feet.
"You should be very proud of yourself," judge Bruno Tonioli told Michael, after the pair finished their performance. "It takes an enormous amount of guts to stand for what you believe in and making a stand in the world. Your voice is very important and I guarantee you it has helped a lot of people, so all that struggle is worth it and your dancing tonight, my darling, was the best you've ever done."
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The pair's final score of the season was 30 out of 40 points.
While it was goodbye to Michael, the evening's other news was the emergence of new frontrunners for the season – "Hunger Games" star Willow Shields and her pro-partner, Mark Ballas. The twosome earned an impressive, near-perfect 39 out of 40 after their contemporary routine.
Their number was inspired by Willow's most memorable year – 2011 – when she auditioned and landed the role of Primrose Everdeen, in the film franchise.
Len Goodman called their routine "fantastic," Bruno said Willow was "fierce and flawless," and Carrie Ann said she was "blown away" by the young star's dance talents.
"Dancing" continues Monday nights at 8 PM ET/PT on ABC.
-- Jolie Lash
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