"Dancing With The Stars" 2017 continued Nov. 20 on ABC as the last four hopefuls alive in the competition hit the ballroom to take part in the season 25 finals. Although the evening was filled with quality dancing and high scores all around, a moment of controversy arose when, during a segment featuring former "Dancing with the Stars" winners talking about what it takes to score the Mirrorball Trophy, season 19 winner Alfonso Ribeiro asserted that "Hamilton" star Jordan Fisher could benefit from a slice of "humble pie."
Ribeiro backtracks on 'humble pie' remark
Shortly after the broadcast aired on the west coast, Ribeiro hit Instagram to issue a formal apology for his comment, which he claimed was taken out of context by "DWTS" production.
In a video message to Fisher and angry fans, he explained that he'd actually said that Fisher is "the best dancer that this show has ever seen."
He then apologized directly to Fisher, who he called "fantastic" and "wonderful" before reiterating that the 23-year old actor is the best contestant to ever grace the "Dancing with the Stars" ballroom. Ribeiro did not offer an additional explanation of the original remark that sparked fan ire, which included a wide array of colorful responses from fans around the nation.
'Dancing with the Stars' 2017 finals filled with tricks, Mirrorball-worthy magic
Alfonso Ribeiro's comments aside, the "Dancing with the Stars" finals were filled with glittery, eye-popping action in the form of redemption dances and freestyle routines from all four finalists: violinist Lindsey Stirling and Mark Ballas, "Property Brothers" star Drew Scott and Emma Slater, racecar driver and actor Frankie Muniz, and Fisher and Lindsay Arnold.
Although all four fared well with judges Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and visiting panelist Julianne Hough, Stirling and Fisher finished the evening knotted atop the leaderboard with perfect marks of 60. Scott and Slater were sent packing, while Muniz and Carson trail the top two by four points.
During the Nov.
21 holiday-themed grand finale, the final three will once again hit the "DWTS" ballroom to dance for judges' scores and last-chance votes from live viewers. Each couple will be charged with delivering two more routines: their favorite dance from the season, and a 24-hour fusion number, which will combine two different styles into one cohesive routine. When the show concludes at 11 PM Eastern, the "Dancing with the Stars" season 25 champion will be crowned.
