Jordan Chiles stole the show in Week 2 of this season’s Dancing With the Stars. She performed for ‘Maniac’, Carrie Ann Inaba felt Chiles reminded her of Tina Turner. Heading into week 8 of the show, Chiles got the opportunity to bring the musical icon back to life with her Jazz performance for Ike and Tina Turner’s ‘River Deep – Mountain High.’ The Olympic Medalist was confused about how to bring the Queen of Rock and Roll back to the sets of Dancing with the Stars. 

The Olympic medalist didn’t just dance to Turner’s song. She embodied her, wearing a wig that made her look just like Turner, and danced to the Jazz that helped bring the legend back to life. Following the performance, Chiles opened up on her routine and said, “It was honestly really, really cool.” At the beginning of the week, the gymnast was absolutely confused about how to embody the legendary Tina Turner. She made sure to do a lot of homework and perfect her performance.

Jordan Chiles continued, “I gotta watch videos, I gotta do this. I gotta do that, because I really wanted people to feel what it was like in our generation now to have Tina Turner.” She had fun trying to bring the Queen of Rock and Roll to life, and she had fun with it.

The fire resonated with the judges as well. Carrie Ann Ibana called it a “ballsy” performance, adding that Jordan Chiles did not disappoint her. Derek Hough nicknamed her “Queen of the Ballroom”, claiming that the tricks and the flips were a perfect 10. And Bruno Tonioli absolutely loved to see Chiles’ “wild side”. However, not everyone was happy with the final result of the episode. 

Jordan Chiles had to face a setback despite her mesmerizing DWTS performance 

Each week on Dancing With the Stars, Jordan Chiles has proven that champions don’t just stick the landing; they evolve with every performance. Since receiving early critiques from the judges, the Olympic gymnast has taken every note to heart, refining her craft step by step.

After a tough previous week on the show, Chiles admitted that she felt “a bit defeated” by the judges’ criticism and low score. For an Olympic gymnast used to nailing perfection under pressure, the setback was hard to swallow. But instead of letting it define her, Chiles turned it into fuel. Meanwhile, Ezra Sosa carried a different kind of frustration into the week. The memory of the failed prop from their previous routine, a harness that didn’t quite work as planned, still lingered. Sosa even apologized publicly, admitting that the creative choice “didn’t pay off.” But he didn’t let that frustration hamper this week’s performance. 

Week 8 became her redemption arc. And yet, she failed to catch a perfect score. She received 38/40. Fans erupted online, insisting the pair deserved a perfect score. To many, it felt like the judges were holding back despite the obvious growth and power Chiles displayed. Her embodiment of the legendary Tina Turner etched a deep picture in the fans’ hearts. 

Yet, amid the controversy, one thing was crystal clear. Jordan Chiles had transformed from a promising contestant into a true DWTS contender. Considering her growth, can Chiles win this season’s Dancing With the Stars?