Episode 9 - 5/13 - DWTS 16 - Discussion - Spoilers

Mark Ballas' 'DWTS' blog: On to the semifinals

Well this came around fast. It feels just it was like yesterday that we began this journey.

I was so proud of Aly last week. I thought her Argentine tango was excellent! She captured the difficult act of playing the seductive harlot extremely well, considering she's the most innocent girl I've ever met. I was shocked at how much she improved her artistry and timing.

The jive trio was a blast, too, and, even though I agree with the judges' comments, I felt we were scored a bit low. This week, we have two extremely different dances, the passionate and sensual rumba, and the wild and untamed Afro jazz.

Aly is showing constant improvement to me every week and it's been amazing coaching her through this. Her sense of timing is so much better this week. She's really learning to sustain music and embody the musicality of both dances. It's especially amazing considering that on the first day, she couldn't even hear the first beat of the bar. For me, that kind of growth is what this competition is all about — showing constant improvement, coming out of your shell and accomplishing things you never thought you could — and Aly is doing all of those things.

Choreographing the Afro jazz number has really been a blast. It's got an amazing sense of freedom and wild abandon and it's so much fun to just let your body go. I love the tribal feel of the music and Aly is taking it on beautifully and is really enjoying the rhythmic feel of the music.

This week promises to be extremely entertaining for Aly, demonstrating two different temperaments of dance: extreme, tribal and powerful and soft, sensitive and sensual.

After the show, I'll be heading straight to the Sayers Club at Hollywood and Wilcox to play with my 8-piece band. If you're in the L.A. area, come on down at 11 PT.

And last but not least, I've released a new teaser video for my new music. Check it out let me know what you think! Also, don't forget to check out the new MarkBallas.com.




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Karina Smirnoff Sent to Hospital for Neck Injury at Dancing with the Stars Rehearsals

Jacoby Jones and Karina Smirnoff were practicing a flip when something went wrong.

Smirnoff landed on the NFL pro Sunday, twisting her neck and banging her face, and she had to be taken to Cedars Sinai Medical Center for possible whiplash and a dislocated jaw, a source tells PEOPLE.

The ballroom pro is now a question mark for Monday's semi-finals on Dancing with the Stars..

Jones faces teen actress Zendaya, singer Kellie Pickler, soap star Ingo Rademacher and Olympic gymnast Alexandra Raisman in the competition for the mirror ball trophy.



Jones and Smirnoff were set to perform the Lindy hop. If Smirnoff can't compete, the show can provide a last-minute substitute pro, putting Jones – already behind frontrunners Zendaya and Pickler – at a disadvantage at this late date.

One couple will be eliminated Tuesday, with the remaining four competing in next week's finals.

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