"Dancing With The Stars" Voters Boot Mario, Show's Youngest Competitor Goes Home, Leaving Four In Semi-Finals

May 6, 2008

R&B singer Mario and his professional partner, Karina Smirnoff, in a publicity photo for "Dancing With The Stars." (CBS)

(CBS) R&B singer Mario has been voted off "Dancing With The Stars," leaving four finalists to compete in the show's semi-finals next week.

Throughout the season, the judges complimented the 21-year-old on his youthful exuberance, but criticized what they called a lack of elegance in the more formal ballroom dances.

Mario showed improvement on Monday's show when he won raves for a Viennese waltz that judge Bruno Tonioli called "all polish and distinction, poise, restraint, elegance."

Photos: "Dancing With The Stars"

He ended the night in third place in the judges' scoring with 53 out of 60 points, but he didn't get enough votes from the viewers to keep him on the show.

After acknowledging his partner, Karina Smirnoff, he thanked Len Goodman, the judge who had given him the toughest critiques during the season.

"Len, thank you for all the comments you made. Ultimately you helped me become a better ballroom dancer," Mario said. "And the comment about me being an inspiration for young people, I want to say that the real brave ones are the young men and women fighting for our country. I want to really shed light on that."

Tuesday's show was the 100th episode of the ABC series, now in its 6th season.

Stars from past shows, including Kelly Monaco, Jane Seymour, Joey Fatone, Stacy Kiebler, Vivica A. Fox, Jerry Springer, Mark Cuban, Drew Lachey, Ian Ziering, Sabrina Ryan and Lisa Rhinna, were in the audience.

Season 4 winner Apolo Anton Ohno and former competitor Mel B each danced to songs performed by country stars Rascal Flatts. Season 3 runner-up Lopez, now starring on Broadway in "A Chorus Line," performed a number from the show with members of the cast.

The first hour of the show featured the judges' ten favorite dances from past seasons. A smoldering tango danced by Lopez and Smirnoff was voted the best dance of all five seasons.

The competition continues next week with Olympic skater Kristi Yamaguchi, football star Jason Taylor, Tony winner Marissa Jaret Winokur and actor Cristian de la Fuente all competing for a spot in the finals.

By Judy Rosen
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