WE’RE GOING TO THE FINALS!!

Summary

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Hot Mess with Alix Earle

Episode: WE’RE GOING TO THE FINALS!!
Date: November 21, 2025
Host: Alix Earle
Guest(s): Val Chmerkovskiy, Val’s Dance Coach, Tom

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Episode Overview

This episode is a behind-the-scenes journey as Alix Earle and her dance partner, Val Chmerkovskiy, prepare for the semi-finals and learn they’re going to the finals of their dance competition. It’s a candid glimpse into the practice room, filled with the pressures, rituals, and celebrations that come with high-stakes live performance. Alix shares her nervous excitement, costume dilemmas, and the emotional highs of growth and teamwork – blending her signature humor, vulnerability, and unfiltered honesty.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Intensity of Semi-Finals Week

• Non-stop Practice:
  Alix emphasizes how her life lately has revolved entirely around dancing, reflecting on the dedication and sacrifices required (10:34).

  “You guys know that my life for the past three months has been dance, dance and more dance. And it has been so, so much fun.” (10:34, Alix)

• Learning New Routines Under Pressure:
  The team discusses the challenge of preparing multiple dances for the semi-finals and potentially six routines for the finale, including a “mystery” instant dance they won’t know until right before performing (04:17).

  “We have a new style, your freestyle. And then there’s an instant dance challenge...we won’t know the style or the song until a minute before we dance.” (04:26, Alix)

Costume Debates & Rehearsal Humor

• Wardrobe Decisions and Mishaps:
  The group laughs about shoe choices and hair dilemmas, with Alix admitting to wardrobe malfunctions and sharing intimate, funny moments about nerves and vitamin regimens (01:35, 12:49).

  “I guess I can’t wear underwear. That’s a little scary.” (12:46, Alix)

• Hair & Look Anxiety:
  The entire look, from buns to messy styles, becomes an ongoing, comical debate as everyone has opinions but little decisiveness.

  “What happens when two indecisive people come together?” (13:29, Val’s Coach)
  “Nothing gets done.” (13:33, Alix)

Inside the Rehearsal Room

• Choreographic Details and Growth:
  Val’s Dance Coach provides real-time feedback, emphasizing connection, movement quality, and process improvements.

  “I just want to make sure you’re not just going through the steps. You're going through the steps with what those steps should feel like.” (08:56, Coach)

• Celebrating Improvement:
  Discussion of how Alix has blossomed throughout the process and being lauded as “the most improved” by judges.

  “You really are by far the most improved. That meant the most to me out of any comment ever.” (27:26, Alix)

Pre-Show Nerves and Rituals

• Dealing with Nerves:
  Alix admits to being nervous before performances but tries not to dwell, choosing instead to savor each moment, even when fog machines create hazards on stage.

  “I’m so nervous ‘cause there’s fog and you can’t see the stairs. If you fall, just look hot.” (15:01, Alix)

• Celebratory Moments:
  Laughter, inside jokes, and dance challenges keep the mood light, even in stressful moments.

The Finale Reveal & Emotional Reflections

• Making it to the Finals:
  The turning point comes when the team learns they’ve advanced, followed by group hugs and excited plans for the final routines (24:07–24:35, 29:22–29:30).

  "We made it to the finale. So excited. Now we have a promo shoot." (24:22, Alix) "You freaking worked your ass off. Congrats, bro. You earned that. It’s a lot of pressure, too." (29:33, Coach)

• Reflections on Hard Work & Team Bonding:
  Both Alix and Val reflect on how far they’ve come, the effort invested, and the camaraderie developed over weeks of rehearsal.

  “The fact that my partner is so talented and so focused…my confidence came from the fact that Alex showed up every day on time and broke her ribs in the process and broke her nose…That’s where my confidence comes from.” (25:52, Coach) “It’s been so fun to watch you grow.” (27:26, Coach)

• Looking Ahead:
  Plans for the final dances, debating style choices (samba vs. waltz), and a vow to “give two of our best dances this season” regardless of the outcome (30:34).

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Stage Mishaps:
  “If you fall, just look hot.” (15:15, Alix)

• About Perseverance:
  “I want to go out and do my best. It would mean everything in the world to me to win...I want to do the best I can. I don’t want to look back and have any regrets.” (25:18, Alix)

• On Team Spirit:
  “How do you spend 10, 11, 12 weeks with somebody and not build some kind of bond?” (29:11, Tom)

• Coach on Confidence:
  “It’s not just arrogance and delusion. It’s earned confidence. I think that’s very different, and I think we’re the best.” (25:52, Coach)

• Celebration:
  “You freaking worked your ass off. Congrats bro. You earned that.” (29:33, Coach)

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Important Timestamps

• 01:35: Alix’s vitamin routine and dance sacrifices
• 04:17: The stress of multiple finale dances and the instant dance challenge
• 10:34: Alix reflects on months of intense rehearsals
• 12:49: Semi-finals day: costume and hair talk, pre-show nerves
• 15:01–15:15: Getting ready for the big dance with humor about the fog and falls
• 24:07–24:35: The moment they realize they've made it to the finale
• 25:18: Alix’s emotional reflection on what winning would mean
• 27:26–27:43: On being named “most improved” and mutual respect among cast/crew
• 29:33: Coaches, dancers, and family celebrate as a team
• 30:34: Strategies and hopes for the finale

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Episode Tone & Dynamics

The episode is lively, raw, and humorous—with plenty of behind-the-scenes banter, dancing jargon, and supportive encouragement. There are moments of vulnerability as Alix expresses her anxiety, gratitude, and hopes, but also plenty of comic relief. The episode captures a spirit of hustle, friendship, and achievement, inviting listeners to root for Alix and Val as they head for the final showdown.

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Transcript

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[Alex]

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[Val Chmerkovskiy]

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[Alex]

Jack Jack and Coke.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Shot of Jack.

[Alex]

Jack Daniels please.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

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[Alex]

I just peed. Peed a little.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

What? That something that happens the girls?

[Alex]

Yeah, I think so.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I hope other girls in their 20s or 80s like I have.

[Alex]

It wasn't like I peed my pants just like a little sprinkle.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

But it's a double porn question because then secondly, why would you say that out loud?

[Alex]

It just cuz it happened. Sorry. You should see. I've been taking so many vitamins. I've never taken a vitamin in my life. It's like there's no time to be sick.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Saw a comment you made about Val's Fitz.

[Alex]

Oh, did you see that? I was so embarrassed. At gq they were like who's the best dressed man of the year? And I was like, I would say we're gonna go with my dance partner Val. He has been bringing the looks to rehearsal every day.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I did see that. And then their B roll of me. My fits were just some trash ass fits.

[Alex]

Yeah, no loafer outf.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

There's a few comments. We're like I love the camera guy asking questions.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, I see. I've seen. I'VE seen all those comments. I kind of love it.

[Alex]

That's a big hit. Who's the man behind the camera? I think we should start a reality show, sort of like the Simple Life, you know, like, we'll go, like, do different crazy things.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I'm sold out.

[Alex]

I think it would be good, Val. Now take Tokyo. We could swim with sharks.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

That's cool. That is very scary.

[Alex]

It's really scary. Sharks come up to you like this, and you have to put your hand on their face and, like, pat them away. And there's like 40 of them. Have ever shown you these photos?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

No. This is the first time I hear about this.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What's the dance to Purple Rain?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

So Vinnie's waltz is the only dance that we could really, first of all, go back enough into the season because, like I said, he lives in the paso world and in the tango world. And we just did a paso and just did a tango. You know, we can do like a jazz, because we've done it. You could do maybe a jazz, which is a little more interpretive. Can do contemporary. Also. We couldn't get the jives because other couples already had that. Couldn't get kiss as a cha cha.

[Alex]

Because someone else had that I really wanted.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

And it really is kind of like first come, first serve, you know?

[Alex]

Well, we were last.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

We were.

[Alex]

I don't know where we were, but we ended up with great song for last.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

But production was like, yo, there's still Purple Rain if you want to switch it up. I was like, okay, Vinnies walls. It's far back enough, and it's. We could. We could reinvent it. And it's not a pure Viennese walls, but we're making it work because it does have a swing. I think we did a pretty good job honoring both Princess Purple Rain and the Ven walls.

[Alex]

I love our dances this week. I think they're my favorite dances so far. We just have to get them down. Okay, you want to see the shark or not?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah, I want to see the shark.

[Alex]

So it's a bunch of sharks like this.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yo, I'm not. I can't do that. I'm sorry. Let's put on our shoes.

[Alex]

If we make it to the finale, we have to prepare six stances.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Wait, what?

[Alex]

You have 1st a new style, your freestyle.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Wait.

[Alex]

And then there's an instant dance challenge that. I don't know. We don't know what style it is until, like, a minute before we dance. And it can be one of four styles, and we won't know the song either. So, like. Yeah, that's gonna be so great. I'm not gonna be stressed out at all.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

That's sick, though.

[Alex]

Tyler. No, it's. This one's a little thicker heel, but this one's a little bit shorter.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What are you looking for with the heel?

[Alex]

Something I can dance in.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

The one on the left is cute, but the one on the right feels like it's the one that you're most solid. Looks like you're wobbling. Okay, so that one's out next.

[Alex]

Yep. So this one. I tried this one.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah.

[Alex]

This one is so pretty, though.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

You could wear it to the after point.

[Alex]

These feel good.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Jump. Cool. Yeah, they're beautiful, I think.

[Alex]

Yeah. They kind of look like Aliyah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I don't know what that is. Is that a brand?

[Alex]

Yeah. I just got these heels from there, and they kind of have the same top.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

3 and 4, 5, 6. I love the hand, but I'm in charge of the hand. You're in charge of selling on that. You're going. I don't want to talk to. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. And 1, 2, 8, 1. 3, 2, 2, 5, 6, 7, eight. One. So beautiful.

[Alex]

I just have to pee.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Damn.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Damn. Cool. Let's go count. Nice.

[Alex]

Can you.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Can you just keep walking?

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Indefinitely. Like, literally walk forever. The only way to tal. Just poke around me. Keep going forever and ever. Okay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Forever.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Can you look at me when you do that? Nice. Immediately, your body's positioned differently. Keep going, keep going, keep going, keep going.

[Alex]

Cool.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Nice.

[Alex]

We getting busy.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

So that's what you're doing. Tt. Is that okay for you? Now let's find the balance. Right now, I don't walk, but you see how moving into that turn, instead of stopping, will be picking you up, just flowing into it. You step around, you're going to turn on 7 and 8. 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, turn. 7, 8. Cool.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Yeah.

[Alex]

It's always the walking that trips me out.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

What's your energy as you come around, as you walk it around? Because right now you're anticipating turn, and I need you to sell that. Walk around with the right arm. Yeah. It's either here on your hip as you walk, or it's living out here. Yeah, I swing. You sh.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

That's it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

No, I swing and you straight, basically. Okay. Boom. Nice. Nice, nice, nice. Now we're going to swing. No. Going to swing. Yes. Once you swing straight, it starts to swing. Then you shrink as soon as your hip comes around. Yes, yes. So even though I'm marking it or we're not doing it to music. Going over the feeling as well.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Right.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I just want to make sure so that you're not like, oh, I'm just going through the steps. I'm not just going through the steps. Going through the steps with what those steps should feel like as well. So we're not doing double the work. We're not learning choreography, then we're learning how to do it.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Okay, so I'm stopping or I'm. That's why I want all of those connections to be full out.

[Alex]

Just let me try again.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Either here or there. I don't want to live in that world, you know, not so extreme here. Cool. And we use that boom nice and small. We use it to pull, we use it to push, and we use it quickly. And yeah, we're communicating because we're good. Now it's two and a half months.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Here we go. Nice. Number eight.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Good.

[Alex]

Can we try the trick? I feel better.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Thing needs to be a little taller now and it's a little bit back and the arm is back, so no, that doesn't look good. Keep the arm on the side and sit up a little taller anytime.

[Alex]

You guys know that my life for the past three months has been dance, dance and more dance. And it has been so, so much fun. And I'm so happy that I got to just bring you guys along this journey because it's been such a special one and now it's coming to an end and normal life is resuming. And I'm just thinking about being in LA and all the fun, different events I want to attend, which is why I want to give the sponsor of today's video, Seat Geek, a huge shout out. So whether you're grabbing tickets for Broadway, a musical, maybe you want to see your favorite musical artist or a comedian. See, seatgeek has you covered. They make it super easy. Sabrina Carpenter's coming into town. I would love to see her. And my favorite thing about SeatGeek is they will tell you and be honest about how good each deal is. So green means it's good. Red is probably bad. So you can scroll. There's different dots that kind of rate each deal. So we appreciate the honesty. Hold on one second. My girl, my girl, one second. And with the holidays right around the corner, you can give the gift of tickets this year. And you could use code ALEX10 for 10 off your skill. SeatGeek tickets. That's 10 off tickets with promo code ALEX10. So make sure you click the link in the description to have the code Automatically added to your account so you can use it later. Thank you. Seatgeek. Is it going?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yep. Oh.

[Alex]

Semi finals day. Feeling good? Feeling great. Okay, it's about to be dress rehearsal and we have two dances. We have a Argentine tango, Viennese waltz, and a hair check change in the mix as well. So that'll be fun. But we did a little, like, swoop de loo. I actually haven't worn my hair up all season. I don't think I keep finding a way to have it down. But we're doing it up today because the Argentine tango, we need to be, like, sharp and spicy. It's going to be a really good day. Of course I'm nervous. Like, this could be my last day here, my last week. So I'm just not even letting the nerves get to me. Thanks, Tyler. So I'm just taking it all in. And I love my costume. So two costumes. This first one is for a little red Corvette, so it's prince night. And there's like this slit on the side. I guess I can't wear underwear. That's a little scary. We're gonna get ready. Me and the costume team are besties. Oh, I like this hair, actually, with this, like, cut.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Love it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

That's cool.

[Alex]

All right. Yep. See, I already feel like I'm a better dancer. Every time they make these magnificent and costumes. Then I'm like, oh, okay, I can dance now. Hey, we're ready to tango. Get up in here. No. Every week it, like, it's better somehow. Then there's a whole costume.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

You sure?

[Alex]

No, actually, what do you want? I feel like it's a half commit. If you're gonna do a bun, like slick it. And if you want the messy, then do the half up, half down messy. But you might look kind of cool if I'm slip.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I was going for, like, casual bum look, not like super slick, but that's contrasting you actually.

[Alex]

I like it. I like it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

All right. What happens when two indecisive people come together? Three months.

[Alex]

Nothing gets done.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Nothing gets done.

[Alex]

I'm, like, very easily swayed.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

My priority is this. You look amazing. You happy? Your hair looks amazing.

[Alex]

Yeah, no, it's cool. All right, get dressed. Hurry up, cuz we got to go.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Why?

[Alex]

We have to walk at 110 and you to teach me the opening number that I don't know.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You don't know the opening and we.

[Alex]

Have to make Tik Toks.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Jesus Christ. Okay, I was going to take five minutes to take five minutes.

[Alex]

Okay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

And then I'll come Back.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Cool.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Three. Three and a half.

[Alex]

Three and a half settled you. Hey.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Hey. Oh, wow.

[Alex]

Oh, wow.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

See?

[Alex]

I love it. I'm obsessed. You look so hot.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Thanks.

[Alex]

I love the Bob. I kind of like this texture. I think it feels more like dancing.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah. Must be my favorite dance I've ever seen Val do in all of my years.

[Alex]

What?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

It's him.

[Alex]

Dusty. Wait, just.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

I literally.

[Alex]

That was only half baked. Purple Rain.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

It was half baked. Then full baked is going to be. Why are you performing for camera right now? I'm not performing anything. Why are you performing for camera?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Val, did you hear what he said?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah, I did. Very impactful words. You can't win with him. What's up? How we doing?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Howdy.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

With the body. How do you feel? Good. Good.

[Alex]

Good, Good.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

How did you respond? Good. Great. I didn't see your Tango by Sarvin's Walls.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

It's stunning.

[Alex]

Stunning. I like. I'm so nervous cuz there's fog and you can't see the stairs. Oh.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Because it comes off the fog. Comes off the.

[Alex]

The fog's like up there and run down. And I was like. So just hold on to Val.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

And if you.

[Alex]

If you fall, just look hot.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

That's all that matters.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

And you already got that prick down, so.

[Alex]

Oh, we're gonna crush it tonight.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Let's go.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Let's go.

[Alex]

Oh, yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

These are the jive pants.

[Alex]

These are the jive pants. I can feel the jive.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

The jive energy is here. Let's go.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Dancing the Argentine tango with her partner, Val Ch. Mayakovsky.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

It's Alex Earl. Yeah. Maybe just slide down.

[Alex]

Yeah. Okay, so we'll practice those things. We should get changed.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yes. Can I make an adjustment, please? I started to, and then you talked me out of it. This. We don't need that position. Let me put you down. And can you open just like you open here? From here, you would just step out. That'll clean up that. To me. There's just two moments that I want to make better. Moment number one is this transition. Just cleaning up our feet and our connection in the process. Because maybe we don't have to whack that eight so much from eight. That inside foot is a big step.

[Alex]

Okay, that's what I'm not doing.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah, because you're anticipating this too. You're like, I gotta twist. Moment number two is this by far. This is excellent. This looks so good. And then from here. I don't want this. I want you to come out with your chest open, ready to spin. Really, really strong. This was really good.

[Alex]

This was.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah. You coming out. It was fire two. No, this was excellent. I think there.

[Alex]

Didn't. Look at me again there.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

It didn't.

[Alex]

You did for the first one and then you left.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Gotta have it. I'll fix that. I feel like. Don't lead with your head.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Lead with the chest and the jump.

[Alex]

Do too much.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

We try to do too much. Think height and just chest.

[Alex]

Not my special.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Your head is a cherry on top of that. That's all. That's why I felt force instead of.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Otherwise I had a freaking good time. Little red Corvette.

[Alex]

Do you guys have a minute for social?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

There they are. There they are.

[Alex]

No.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

No.

[Alex]

All right.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yes, yes, yes, yes. Yeah. Thank God.

[Alex]

I saw it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Stupid ass face.

[Alex]

All right, let's go.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Stop looking like it.

[Alex]

Just smile. Just be yourself.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Okay. That looks good. That looks good. Thanks. Thanks for carrying that. My hair looks amazing.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

It looks so much better than in the bun.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Does it?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah, it looks way better without really, like now.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Ty, I'm. Are you flirting with me, bro?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Okay, so then should I do this for the tango?

[Alex]

No, it's going to be too.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Too much. That's good, though.

[Alex]

Okay, then do it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Then. I could go distract them with the.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

No.

[Alex]

Yeah, do it.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Let's see what it looks like in the world. Okay.

[Alex]

That was actually my best one. How did you feel? Good. Yeah, Good. Yeah. I think I was gonna take. Yeah, we already. Great. Same page. Just because it takes away from the gym. Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah.

[Alex]

And it's like hotter. Your legs looking at it. Yeah, it was so good.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Because after that.

[Alex]

Yes. This one. Yep. So good.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

And we just said after. Well, we're going to clean up the eight. The eight.

[Alex]

We were. But this was nice.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

This was very nice. From here. We said just to open.

[Alex]

Totally, totally wind up. Get it. So you can throw into that. It's not about your number. It's not about your legs. It's about float. I'm pressing down with this left arm rather than thinking about cooking leg. Float. Float. See how high I get by pushing down? So it's less about your legs and more about your arm pushing down.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

One minute.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah. This is actually for my rumba.

[Alex]

I wouldn't know. I would know. I'm new here.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Can I give feedback real quick? Just because you're smashing that. Get lower. You're doing. Look, you're doing everything you could. Just getting a little lower will give you more thrash.

[Alex]

Guys. So good. Like chills during the dance. This one's special. Yes. So good.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Beautiful.

[Alex]

Think of my Hair like this.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I love it.

[Alex]

You don't think do it the half up, half down.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

No, I'll have my hair out there. Enough hair for both of us.

[Alex]

Have a bite of food. It's like, oh, we have so much time. We have so much time. Not all times. Like we have no time.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I mean you could just stand here and it could be like, you know, and you could just slide out.

[Alex]

Cool.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

You know, some. Yeah, let's think of something.

[Alex]

What is this?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I don't know. I'm just channeling my friends.

[Alex]

Okay, well that's something for sure. It's just like awkward central. Is that for real?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I just. No, I'm adding flavor. Jesus.

[Alex]

Did you trip?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

No, I tripped on purpose.

[Alex]

Did you really?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah.

[Alex]

Oh, okay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Well now I look stupid for that camera.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

That's the best.

[Alex]

Okay. Okay. Do it again.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Move out the way.

[Alex]

Three, two, one. Three two. Let's go. Come out.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Woo.

[Alex]

Spin.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Ribbon open.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Fuck. What's up, Tommy? Beautiful purple ray.

[Alex]

You guys look so good. We're all gonna be matching at the end. Thomas, are you going to your extra loud for us tonight? Are you gonna vote for me on that iPad? I can. You can. Yes you can. You better get some wi fi and vote for me on that thing. You carry it around 24 7. You could vote Alex 20 times.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Hi, Alex, nice to meet you.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Nice to meet you.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

You look stunning.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Very good. Very good.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

I love.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Very excited to be here.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yes.

[Alex]

It'll be a fun night.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Good luck.

[Alex]

Thank you. Getting changed into look two for dance two.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

How do you feel after the first one?

[Alex]

Good. Honestly, it's like I black out when I dance. I don't know. Like I have to watch it back to see. But it felt really good. Gotta work on my shoulders. That has been a season long thing for me. Gonna just channel that energy and do it better in this dance.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

And pins down, right? Look really, really good. Nice.

[Alex]

It's a little weak leg.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

That's O. And then. That was my bad. But that was really good for you. Awesome. Oh, check this out.

[Alex]

Sick.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

And then the camera did that.

[Alex]

What?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yes.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

All right.

[Alex]

Yo, why did the camera go in the chair?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Because he probably tripped over the fucking guy. The camera out of his hand. Yo.

[Alex]

I'm so happy.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

So happy.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Come on.

[Alex]

Incredible.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Hi.

[Alex]

Okay, dance two coming up.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Settle down. Let's still treat it with respect. Go over.

[Alex]

I'm settled. I was waiting for you.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You're feeling the hair.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Oh, Val's gals. When you get up like play it still. I know you're using it to get up and definitely do so. Yeah. But just make it look a little soft. And again. Again.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What do you think of Alex's perfect score tonight?

[Alex]

I'm very happy. That's all I have to say.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

That's all you have to say?

[Alex]

It's one word. Very winnow.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Two words.

[Alex]

Very happy.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

You hope she makes it next week, or is she going to make it next week no matter what? What do you think?

[Alex]

I have a feeling she's going to make it. We made it.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Perfect.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Be quiet in the ballroom. Congrats. Congratulations. Tom and Thomas want.

[Alex]

Oh, did you vote for us? That was. He can't vote. Come on, Thomas. Just give me a hug. We made it to the finale. So excited. Now we have a promo shoot.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Is this your guys's costume for next week?

[Alex]

No, this was maleficent. Don't you remember?

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, yeah.

[Alex]

Do I get rid of this roll in my head for this?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

This is b roll. That is at the top of the show. They've battled 11 winners of non stop dance. The hero shots of the five finalists. You gotta look presentable. You look good. I like. I like your hair.

[Alex]

It was my face that was.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

No, I'm startling.

[Alex]

It's okay. It's okay.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I do. What happened was just stop talking. Can I ask you a real question? Like, now that you're in the finale, I guess how excited are you to win or how disappointed are you to lose?

[Alex]

I want to go out and do my best. It would mean everything in the world to me to win. I'm excited that we got to dance the most amount of time that we could together and do as many dances as we could. And I want to do an amazing, fun, freestyle, fun samba. And I think just really enjoy the night and take it all in. I want to do the best that I can. I don't want to, like, look back and have any regrets.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Let's do it.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Good.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

That's the right attitude.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

What were your expectations coming in? Like, were you expecting to get this far or.

[Alex]

I don't think Val had very high expectations.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

That's not true. I don't have any expectations. Nobody owes me anything. But I have delusional optimism. I have a lot of pride in my work and in the work of anybody that I'm affiliated with and the fact that my partner is so talented and so focused. Yes, I had a lot of confidence. I still have a lot of goals. Again, whether that's tiptoes on delusion, I don't care. When we go to work, we do it very humbly how hard we work. But on the show day, it's hard for me to not be proud and not be confident because a lot of work has. Has been put in to earn that confidence. It's not just arrogance and delusion. It's earned confidence. I think that's very different, and I think we're the best. Alex has a big fan. You know, it's like, that's not where my confidence, my confidence came from. The fact that Alex showed up every day on time and broke her ribs in the process and broke her nose and literally I got elbowed in the throat, in the lip, and in my eye socket today, this week, all in one. I really beat Vala one day, you know, so that's where my confidence comes from.

[Alex]

Hey, my finalist, where's your Bob at? Had to take a Bob. The Bob was getting a lot of love.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

So today when you signed up, how far do you think you.

[Alex]

I don't know. I mean, I knew I was gonna work as hard as I could and wanted to give it my all and didn't just want to, like, do it for a moment or whatever. Like, I really wanted to go in and learn as much as I could, but I think it was scary in the beginning of this competition just seeing how, like, talented the whole cast is and how amazing everyone is. Yeah, you. Well, thank you. But, yeah, I just try to keep pushing myself every week. But I love what Carrie Ann said. Like, you really are by far the most improved. That, like, meant the most to me out of any comment ever. It's been so fun to watch you grow. Oh, Maleficent is back.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Yeah.

[Alex]

How did you say is back? Where is your sleeve? Where is your blonde wig? Okay, but what do I do looking like this? What do you mean? You look so cute. You cleaned up. She was go do some D shops when he was like, I'm worried about your face, guys.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

What do you want me to do? You want me to lie to you?

[Alex]

You want. We really appreciate.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yes, man. Why? Why I gotta be one of them? I just tell you how it is.

[Alex]

Yes. Oh, my gosh. My little munchkin. Have so much fun. We're going to have so much fun with the bust out. We're going to have so much fun. Okay, I have to go change. Okay. What are you wearing?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Black.

[Alex]

Oh, period.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

What do you think, pops?

[Alex]

Congratulations.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Congratulations.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, my God.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Congratulations again.

[Tom]

This beyond excited. This is, bro.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

So fun.

[Alex]

Come on, man. You made it to that.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Beautiful.

[eBay Advertiser]

I just want you to know, man.

[Tom]

They were right on. On the whole growth Actually watching somebody overall learn how to become that.

[Alex]

Thank you. That means a lot. Good job.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

And it's just been so fun to get to know your daughter and see her growth and her doing her thing and just been like, a friendships, all of that. It's been natural.

[Alex]

Yeah. No, it's so fun.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

Yeah.

[Alex]

That is your relationship. Yeah.

[Tom]

I've been telling you people, too.

[Marshall's Advertiser]

Like, how do you.

[Tom]

How do you spend 10, 11, 12 weeks with somebody.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Oh, yeah.

[Tom]

And not build some kind of bond?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Can you believe it?

[Alex]

We're finalists today.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Come on.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Get in here.

[Alex]

Yay.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

All right.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

All right.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Oh, let's go, you guys. You freaking worked your ass off. Congrats, bro. You earned that. It's a lot of pressure, too. Thanks. Yeah.

[Alex]

You did the best. So excited.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Oh, instant congrats.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Oh, you.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Oh, we got it.

[Alex]

Just let him. This is so fun. Wait, so that means we all get to go on a plane together?

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah.

[Alex]

That's a fun crew.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

This time next week, you know, we'll be going Tyler while I in the troll valley. Then we go straight to. This is where the hangar.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Good morning, man.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Private jet. Banging Disney plane. Big one. Nice. Boom. Te bur. New Jersey. We back, baby. We back.

[Alex]

Going back.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

We got to do GMA with our crusty makeup on.

[Alex]

I can't look like this at GMA We've got to figure that out.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

So we're gonna get bagels with cream cheese first.

[Alex]

Cream cheese and pork roll.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Okay.

[Alex]

And you're gonna try that, too.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Done.

[Alex]

I'm so excited. I'm ready to work six dances. No problem.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah. I also want to just for ourselves, you know, it's like that conversation with the samba. By the way, we're going with the samba. Samba for the final walls waltz. Waltz.

[Alex]

I said, hey, now. I don't think I'm gonna be showing enough versatility.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

No. She had a great gut feeling.

[Alex]

And after a week of me annoying. Val.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

I'm glad you did. Is the harder dance, but that's good.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

So I just want to, like, regardless of the result, let's give it two of our best dances this season, and then we'll be a lot happier going into the results.

[Alex]

Yeah.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Do you know the music and everything already?

[Alex]

Yeah, yeah. Secret.

[Val Chmerkovskiy]

Secret.

[Alex]

Can't tell ya.

[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Yeah.

[Alex]

You'll have to tune in next week. See you at the finale Limu game.

[Sponsor Voiceover]

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[Val Chmerkovskiy's Dance Coach]

Is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

[Sponsor Voiceover]

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[Alex]

Experian.