'This was a magical experience': Vanilla Ice and pro partner Witney Carson get the boot on Dancing With The Stars
Vanilla Ice had never even seen Dancing With The Stars before he went on the show and became a fan favorite.
The 48-year-old rapper saw his run come to an end however on Tuesday as he was sent home along with legendary producer Kenny 'Babyface' Edmonds in a double elimination.
The star, real name Robert Van Winkle, initially struggled on the dancefloor, but was praised for bringing his 'A game' by the judges on Monday as he got 23 out of 30 for his Viennese Waltz, easily his highest score.
Fan favourite: Vanilla Ice thanked his fans on Tuesday after being eliminated on Dancing With The Stars
But it was his constant smile and positive attitude that made him a favorite, seen until the very end as he proudly smiled and waved to the cheering fans as he was told he was going home.
'This is a magical experience, I love it, it's great,' the rapper said before his exit on a night that saw Sasha Farber get engaged to fellow pro dancer Emma Slater live on air.
'Dancing makes you happy and this is just a happy experience, I'm honored to be here.
'And I appreciate all the fans and the people. It's magical,' the singer said.
Happy experience: The rapper said the experience was 'magical' after being eliminated with pro partner Witney Carson
Marriage proposal: Sasha Farber also proposed to Emma Slater live on the show
Hugging his dance pro Witney Carson, 22, he added affectionately: 'But I appreciate her more than anything.'
Witney had high praise for her student, too, saying of the rapper: 'This guy is the most hardworking man I've ever met in my entire life.
'With all of his busy schedules, he managed to make me a priority and the show a priority,' said the past champion with celebrity partner Alfonso Ribeiro.
Top priority: Witney praised the rapper as 'the most hardworking man' she's ever met
She then left him rolling his head back with laughter as she insisted: 'He's taught me so many things about life, about positivity - and about raps.'
While Vanilla Ice's exit came as a shock, Babyface, 57, seemed resigned to his elimination - the first to be announced on Tuesday night - after a disastrous week on the dance floor.
He had repeatedly missed steps during his tango to the Beatles' Come Together, admitting afterward that the dance 'went completely away' from him.
First to go: Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds was the first contestant to be eliminated
He was heard telling his pro partner Allison Holker, 28, after the performance: 'The nerves have been taking over me so much. Hopefully it won't be the death of us.'
Babyface seemed resigned to being sent home when the announcement was made, but co-host Erin Andrews insisted: 'I'm shocked, I have to say I am.'
'I look at it this way, I got a chance to come out and dance for my mom - my mom is proud today that I even came here,' he stated.
Nervous performance: The legendary music producer said his mother was proud of him
'I did the foxtrot, I did the jive, I did the Argentine Tango. I don't know what that was that I did last night but I had an amazing time.
'Allison has been amazing, she's taught me so many things.
'And I have to say this experience is an amazing experience, learning to dance with everyone, the family here is amazing,' Babyface added.
Shock exit: Show host Tom Bergeron conducted an exit interview after co-host Erin Andrews said she was shocked that Babyface was leaving
Taxi star Marilu Henner, who got a middle-of-the-leaderboard score of 21, was stunned to be the first told she was safe.
She was quickly followed by former NFL great Calvin Johnson, who took the news in stride with a smile.
Amber Rose - still in her risqué costume with stockings and suspenders - was next told she was safe, with pro partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy punching the air and Amber giggling with her hands over her mouth, before mouthing 'thank you' with a prayer sign for the cheers.
Moving forward: Amber Rose smiled as she and partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy learned they were advancing
Olympic gold medal gymnast Laurie Hernandez - who got the season's first and only perfect score - was next to be told she was safe, followed by Terra Jolé, the first little person to appear on DWTS, and her pro parter, the newly engaged Sasha.
Ryan Lochte's eyes popped wide open in shock as he screamed 'What?!' at being told he was safe, hugging his pro Cheryl Burke and saying with a giant smile: 'Oh my God!'
Indycar champ James Hinchcliffe - the second highest scorer from Monday - had been told he was in jeopardy despite getting the season's only other 10 beside the three given to Laurie.
Big surprise: Ryan Lochte screamed when he learned he was moving forward
Taxi star: Marilu Henner and pro partner Derek Hough also advanced
Happy dance: Terra Jolé and Sasha Farber danced after learning they were still in the competition
But he had been heard complaining how he 'f***ed it up' and 'screwed up' as he left the dance floor, even after getting the high scores.
James was quickly told he was safe from elimination from the final three, with country singer Jana Kramer, 32, also getting through at the very end as Vanilla Ice instead went home.
The show opened with Joe Jonas and his band DNCE performing Body Moves from an upcoming self-titled debut album, and later Swedish singer Zara Larsson, 18, sang Ain't My Fault.
Musical guest: Joe Jonas and his band DNCE performed
Swedish singer: Zara Larsoon performed her song Ain't My Fault
Long-term pro Derek Hough, meanwhile, had a slip-up - but behind the drums, not on the dance floor.
He had started pretending to play drums live to a song he co-wrote, but accidentally dropped one of the sticks forcing him to nervously smile as he carried on pretending to bang them with one of his bare hands.
Dancing With The Stars continues next week on ABC.
Multiple talents: Derek played drums to a song he co-wrote and also danced
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