Las Vegas Weekly

May 4, 2010 · 7:36 AM

Photos: Evan Lysacek lands first 30; Julianne Hough to return to DWTS?

By Robin Leach

Niecy Nash, Louis Van Amstel, Anna Trebunskaya, Evan Lysacek, Erin Andrews and Maksim Chmerkovskiy, aka Team Madonna, on Week 7 of ABC's Dancing With the Stars on May 3, 2010.

Photo: Adam Larkey/ABC TV

This morning’s big Dancing With the Stars news is not the perfect 30 score that Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek received with partner Anna Trebunskaya for their sexy Argentine tango last night.

Nor is it the fact that Evan redeemed himself and catapulted from last week’s near dangerous elimination back up to the very top, albeit tied with strong favorite singer Nicole Scherzinger and partner Derek Hough.

Nor is the big news about the ever-building gossip that Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and his dance partner Cheryl Burke are enjoying a true romance. In fact, as it was Cheryl’s birthday on the show last night, Chad gave her a beautiful diamond necklace, and she referred to him as “babe.”

Nor is it about the 18 acrobats and dancers from our Cirque du Soleil show Viva Elvis at Aria in MGM’s CityCenter who will be strutting their “Blue Suede Shoes” routine on tonight’s results show.

Nor is it about the “fight” between ESPN host Erin Andrews and pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy over his insistence of dancing the past few weeks semi-nude -- bare-chested at best! Last night, he threatened to take off his pants -- he did, but only to reveal another pair underneath his salmon-colored suit.

The big news is that country singer Julianne Hough has reportedly signed on for Season 11 this fall on ABC after a two-season absence. Julianne, who graduated from our Las Vegas Academy, also will be simultaneously launching her second country album and promoting the release of her debut film Burlesque starring Caesars Palace headliner Cher and Christina Aguilera. Julianne has won DWTS with Olympic gold medalist Apolo Anton Ohno and racecar driver Helio Castroneves.

Meantime, it’s comedienne and actress Niecy Nash and Louis Van Amstel who face elimination tonight as they wound up bottom of the board with just 49 judges’ points. But also expect to see our former Planet Hollywood headliner Pamela Anderson and partner Damian Whitewood in the bottom three tied at 51 votes each with, surprisingly, Erin and Maks, our Le Reve choreographer.

Safe at the top are the two couples who now look set to really fight it out for the prized mirrored disco ball trophy at the end of the month. Both Nicole with Derek and Evan with Anna are tied with 54 points apiece. Judge Carrie Ann Inaba praised Nicole for being “the best ever celebrity dancer in the 10 seasons,” and Evan received the perfect 30 score -- the first one this Season 10. It all comes down to the two of them, but Chad and Cheryl are still contenders with 52 points.

Nicole’s family was in the audience last night as she waltzed with Derek and said that they chose Debbie Boone’s “You Light Up My Life” because it is the favorite song of her aunt, who has Down syndrome. Nicole and Derek were given leis by her family after their waltz.

Scoring last night was based on a double dance: After completing their individual routines, the remaining six celebrities were put into two teams. Nicole, Pamela and Chad -- Team Gaga -- danced the cha-cha to Lady Gaga and Beyonce’s “Telephone” and outscored Erin, Niecy and Evan -- Team Madonna -- who danced to the Material Girl’s “Holiday.” Team Gaga received 27 points, and Team Madonna garnered 24.

Check back tonight for our spoiler-alert story after the East Coast live satellite broadcast for who gets sent packing. Our bet is we’ll say a fond farewell to Reno 911 star Niecy and that Pamela’s fans will keep her safe for another week, and then she’ll face off with Erin and Maks or Chad and Cheryl.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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