Semifinals Are Set on Dancing With the Stars

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Semifinals Are Set on Dancing With the Stars

Tue., Nov. 10, 2009 10:02 PM PST by Natalie Finn

ABC/ADAM LARKEY

Perfection paid off for Mya.

As expected, the R&B songstress was voted into next week's semifinals on Dancing With the Stars.

But which three of her fellow celebs were given passage to join her?

As musical guest Susan Boyle knows, being the favorite doesn't necessarily mean you're going to go all the way.

For instance, the fans have been loving Donny Osmond all season, but their last glimpse of him had him looking like a Rocky Horror Picture Show reject.

Aaron Carter has smoothed over most of his initial kinks but had to dance for his life last week. Kelly Osbourne has regained her confidence, but do the voters still have faith in her moves?

Meanwhile, though Joanna Krupa galloped through her quickstep, Derek Hough's impressive choreography made their futuristic paso doble encore worthy in the judges' eyes.

But was it semifinal material?

The hoi polloi apparently thought so, because Joanna and Derek were the first to be ushered into the next round.

Meaning, in our humble opinion, that it would come down to between Kelly and Aaron for the final spot, considering how good Mya is and how beloved Donny seems to be.

Sure enough, that's what it came down to, and it's Kelly who gets to dance another day.

So Aaron is out.

"One thing I will always remember and take from this competition is definitely the lessons that I've learned," Aaron said. "I've grown so much with your compliments and your criticisms, so thank you. Thank you for helping me to be able to grow on this show."

Len Goodman continued to show unprecedented support for the 21-year-old former tween star.

"I think the dedication that you have shown week after week is absolutely fantastic," the Brit said after the elimination. "I think you're an inspiration to all young people that anything is possible, and if you were my son, I would be so proud of you. But more important, you be proud of yourself, because you've been great."

Then the snotty popster turned gracious young gentleman went and shook Len's hand.

It was the stuff video clips are made of.

Next week, Joanna, Kelly, Mya and Donny will perform three dances apiece, including a freestyle number in which anything goes. We recommend that Donny leave the frilly lace cravat at home, though.

(Originally published Nov. 10, 2009, at 7:15 p.m. PT)

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As Dancing With the Stars speeds toward its conclusion, see who's just getting started on So You Think You Can Dance!