Lauren Alaina Dances Through the Pain of Injured Ribs On ‘DWTS’
It was Halloween night on episode seven of Dancing With the Stars, and all of the contestants got in the…
Lauren Alaina, Gleb Savchenko; ABC/Eric McCandless
It was Halloween night on episode seven of Dancing With the Stars, and all of the contestants got in the spooky spirit, donning costumes ranging from zombies and goblins to ghosts and skeletons. But, Lauren Alaina went out armed with perhaps the scariest attire of all: a real set of broken bones.
During the show, which aired live on Monday (Oct. 28), the country star confessed that she has been dancing with a fractured rib since week one and that she’s injured a few more ribs along the way. Regardless of her injuries, the Georgia native continued to take to the floor alongside her pro partner, Gleb Savchenko.
Performing an Argentine Tango set to Sarah Vaughan’s timeless hit “Whatever Lola Wants,” Alaina and Savchenko stunned onlookers, while decked out in Vampire garb. They were also surrounded by a handful of props like candles and vintage portraits to set the mood for their routine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFJR2PAKrco
After their dance, judges shared their comments, giving Alaina and Savchenko a collective score of 27/30, and putting them at the top of the leaderboard.
“You were so in character. You were so trusting of Gleb, and you just went with it. You made a moment!” Carrie Ann Inaba told Alaina. “Your core is getting so strong, and what I see with you is true transformation. You are evolving as a dancer, every minute of every day.”
Both Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli echoed Inaba’s comments, applauding Alaina for her growth, not knowing that the Georgian was struggling with some serious pain. It wasn’t until Alaina joined co-host Erin Andrews that she revealed she had been dealing with a few broken ribs.
“Yeah, I have three,” Alaina confirmed before adding that a fourth rib was beginning to hurt as well, “All I’ve been trying to do is pretend like my ribs aren’t broken. I fractured the one on the left the first week of the show, and I haven’t had these [ones] X-rayed, but they don’t feel great.”
Alaina will now have to rest up quickly because she and Savchenko were marked safe from elimination and will need to prepare for next week.
Karamo Brown and his partner Jenna Johnson weren’t so lucky. They got sent home and will not be able to compete next week.
Alaina isn’t the only star to face injuries on DWTS. Earlier this season, Christie Brinkley was forced to exit the show due to a broken wrist. Weeks later, Ray Lewis bowed out of the competition due to a foot injury.
Dancing With the Stars airs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Written by
Melinda Lorge
Melinda Lorge is a Nashville-based freelance writer who specializes in covering country music. Along with Country Now, her work has appeared in publications, including Rare Country, Rolling Stone Country, Nashville Lifestyles Magazine, Wide Open Country and more. After joining Rare Country in early 2016, Lorge was presented with the opportunity to lead coverage on late-night television programs, including “The Voice” and “American Idol,” which helped her to sharpen her writing skills even more. Lorge earned her degree at Middle Tennessee State University, following the completion of five internships within the country music industry. She has an undeniable love for music and entertainment. When she isn’t living and breathing country music, she can be found enjoying time outdoors with family and friends.