Erin Andrews eliminated; Scherzinger and Lysacek compete for ‘Dancing’ crown

Scherzinger and Lysacek vie for ‘Dancing’ crown

LOS ANGELES — Erin Andrews lasted 10 weeks on “Dancing With the Stars,” only to be dismissed during the show’s season finale.

The ESPN sportscaster and her professional partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, were eliminated from the ABC dance-off halfway through the two-hour season closer, leaving Olympic figure skater Evan Lysacek and singer Nicole Scherzinger in contention for the coveted mirrorball trophy.

Each has one more dance to perform. Earlier in the episode, they each danced an Argentine tango and earned glowing remarks from the judges.

Carrie Ann Inaba called Lysacek’s performance “perfect,” and Scherzinger’s “like a beautiful masterpiece come to life.”

Though being on the show “has meant everything” to Andrews, she said she knew the fight for the title would be between Lysacek and Scherzinger.

“I came here under really crummy circumstances,” Andrews said. “I just wanted to be myself again.” Andrews was the victim of a stalker, who was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for following the reporter to at least three cities and shooting videos of her through hotel peepholes.

Gesturing toward Chmerkovskiy, she said, “This one has just put my life back together, so I’m so thankful.”

Chmerkovskiy called the season “a rollercoaster” and “an amazing journey.”

“I feel like we’ve won,” he said, “and I certainly have my own prize.”

Tuesday’s action-packed final episode featured back-to-back performances by the season’s finalists and past contestants.

Astronaut Buzz Aldrin danced in a bedazzled space suit that host Tom Bergeron joked was from “the NASA Liberace collection.”

“The Bachelor” Jake Pavelka danced with his betrothed, Vienna Girardi. Actors Shannen Doherty and Aiden Turner also returned to the dance floor.

The show’s first college dance competition came to a close Tuesday, with the team from Utah Valley University taking home their own mirrorball trophy.

Online:

abc.go.com/shows/dancing-with-the-stars