ABC/ADAM TAYLORIt was an exceptionally sad elimination night on Dancing With the Stars. Although Gladys Knight's departure as shocking as Sherri Shepard's exit, it was nonetheless disappointing and a reminder that star power doesn't equal automatic safety.
So what did Knight have to say about leaving the show and her 60-pound weight loss? Plus, DWTS alum Jennie Garth stops by and talked candidly about her recent separation from Twilight star Peter Facinelli...
She hung on as long as she could, but Motown legend Knight to say goodbye to the dance floor Tuesday night after losing out to Roshon Fegan in the dreaded dance duel. While her elimination wasn't totally unexpected, there were no hard feelings when we caught up with Gladys backstage. She was still in high spirits and shared her thanks for the opportunity.
"I'm feeling great, I really am," she told us. "I live my life that way. So whatever will be, will be. If it was my path to still be here, I would be here. This was a great time to come over here and do this for a month and a half."
That great time also equalled a staggering 60-pound weight loss, which has left Gladys over the moon and feeling better than ever.
"I feel amazing and I really think when you lose that much weight, if you're not active, it can take a different toll on you," she said with a smile. "This particular activity of coming to DWTS kept me where I should be, so I can be a healthy weight-loss person. You need to move it! My doctor said to get back to tennis because I stopped. I was so busy and he said, 'Get back to moving.' and when he saw me on DWTS he said, 'I said get moving, not jump in with both feet!' "
Of course now that she's out of the competition she spilled on who she'll be rooting for to take home the mirror-ball trophy!
"There's so much talent on this show. I love Donald Driver. I would love to see him come through," she told us. "Those who have not had training, so to speak, I really respect and admire to come over here. I have a lot of respect for that, and Donald stands out in my mind, being a football player. I don't know if he's had any dance training, but I don't think so and he's holding it down."
Although Gladys isn't heartbroken having to say goodbye, DWTS alum Jennie Garth stopped to share her reaction, and she felt differently.
"Who can send Gladys Knight home?" she asked us incredulously. "I haven't been watching this season, but I can't feel good about that decision." She hasn't been watching, but did being back in the ballroom bring about feeling of nostalgia for the former 90210 star?
"I don't miss it at all," she laughed. "I love it, but I do not miss it. I bow down to them for doing it."
It was great to see Garth smiling after the recent announcement that Facinelli, her husband of 11 years, was filing for divorce. When we asked how she was doing, she was nothing but positive about the future.
"I'm holding up well," she shared. "I have the love and support of my girls and close friends. I have definitely been through it, but I'm on the other side now and I feel great. I'm excited about what's ahead. That and so much more."
Are you sad to see Gladys go? Who do you want to see in the finals? Sound off in the comments!