Stars pay tribute to hometown memories in 'Dancing With the Stars'

LOS ANGELES -- One "Dancing with the Stars" couple barely had time to meet, lace up their shoes and get to know one another before they were booted from the ballroom. The cruel realities of reality television! All 13 couples did get another chance to perform for dancing fans, though, on a night that celebrated the hometowns of the stars.

Here's a rundown of the judges scores, from highest to lowest:

BINDI IRWIN - 25 out of 30

What? A heavy metal Tango? That's got to be a first for this show, but if anyone can choreograph it, it's Derek Hough. It doesn't feel forced because Bindi tells us she's a rocker chick and has been since she was a kid. This little piece of information makes Derek happier than we've seen in a long time. Bindi says she has memories of her parents playing rock music and they all danced around the zoo in Australia (like we all have done, right?). The AC/DC music begins and the couple attacks it with technique, style and plenty of smiles. Bruno Tonioli asked where this surprising side of Bindi had come from. Julianne Hough said she loved the fiery element, and Carrie Ann Inaba told Bindi she totally rocked her world!

TAMAR BRAXTON - 24 out of 30

The talk show host got "real" with her partner Val Chmerkovskiy on his Cha Cha choreography. No thrusting! No booty popping! No body rolls! She wants to keep the dance a little bit classy since she is paying tribute to her sisters with the Sister Sledge song "We are Family." It seems they were able to compromise on the steps and they both give 100% in the ballroom, Cha Cha-ing to second-week greatness. Bruno called Tamar luminous and luscious. Carrie Ann told her she is in a class all her own, however both she and Julianne felt she does a little better solo and loses some energy when she's in hold with Val. How can that be?? Host Tom Bergeron joked that Val's not used to having someone play hard to get!

ALEXA PENAVEGA - 24 out of 30

Half of season 21's married couple competitors realized she hadn't quite committed to her dance partner, Mark Ballas. The two-time mirror ball champ challenged his newest partner not to let her hubby, and his progress, get into her head and just dance her own game. So this week Alexa was all in! She paid tribute to her Colombian roots, via her hometown Ocala, Florida, and rocked a Salsa like we've never seen in week two. Bruno called it wild and wonderful. Julianne said there was no denying the connection and told Alexa she brought sexy, strong and sassy to the ballroom.

CARLOS PENAVEGA - 24 out of 30

Carlos and Witney Carson figured out this partnering-thing right away. That means they can get right down to work, which means a lot in a week when you need to learn two dances. Carlos is from Columbia, Missouri, and called himself the only Latin boy in the Midwest. But Missouri is the "show me" state and that's how he plans to pay tribute to his hometown. Their Foxtrot goes over great with the judges, with Carrie Ann calling him a contender. Julianne praised his natural ability and connection, and Bruno felt they looked and moved like a couple in a classic movie.

ALEK SKARLATOS - 23 out of 30

Alek has already proven himself to be a hometown hero, but he wanted to give a salute to Sacramento, California, saying it's the city and people there who shaped him into the man he is today. He also gave a shout out to his friends Spencer and Anthony, the two pals who were with him when the trio stopped the terrorist threat in France. Lindsay Arnold choreographs a Jazz dance to Journey's "Don't Stop Believin!" and the routine allows Alek to literally show off his strength with a lot of lifts. Julianne said he's not just a strong base, but also good with turns and moves. Bruno told them they proved last week was not a fluke and applauded the way Alek can combine grace, power and honesty. Carrie Ann simply said she found watching him intoxicating.

HAYES GRIER - 22 out of 30

Week two showed young Hayes has plenty of potential. He honored his hometown in North Carolina, but really, he was honoring his mom. Hayes is very close to his family and talking about them brought everyone, including Hayes, to tears. He and Emma Slater did a Foxtrot to country song "This is How We Roll," and he looked like a diamond in the rough. Bruno called him a young Tom Cruise and told him he has the arms of a classically trained ballet dancer. Carrie Ann praised his lines and the way he could interpret the dance, saying "when you tell a story, we listen."

NICK CARTER - 21 out of 30

Whether it was nerves, a fast dance with the Jive, or a tough week of having to learn two dances... something got in Nick's head this week. His routine with Sharna Burgess was fine, but last week they were a lot better than fine! Carter paid tribute to his hometown of Tampa, Florida, particularly to a teacher who got him on the straight and narrow. The judges couldn't hide their disappointment, with Carrie Ann calling the dance "rough" and telling Nick she didn't think nerves would get to him. The judges encouraged him to get out of his head and just dance.

ANDY GRAMMER - 21 out of 30

Andy first garnered attention as a musician on the streets of New York City, so of course he wants to give a tip of the hat to the Big Apple. He attempts a fast Jive to Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young." I say attempt because it started strong and then he went off time and couldn't recover. But he did smile through the whole thing and that goes a long way! Bruno said he loved the attack and the energy. Carrie Ann sees potential, but also a bit of a mess. She asked the musician how he could not really be hearing the music. He answered beautifully: "Dancing is hard!"

PAULA DEEN - 19 out of 30

Louis van Amstel cooked up a lovely Rumba this week that helped Paula get a little of her confidence back. She honored her hometown of Savannah, Georgia, calling it a magical place that has her heart. Paula brought that heart to her routine, and while not perfect, it was leaps and bounds better than week one. Carrie Ann felt she was seeing a different person, and both Carrie Ann and Julianne encouraged Paula to work on her turns. Paula let us in on a little secret, saying "I just started walking in heels last week, ya'll!"

KIM ZOLCIAK BIERMANN - 19 out of 30

The "Real Housewife" said she knew she had nowhere to go but up after landing in last place after week one. The Quickstep fit her much better than the Salsa, and Kim said she had a lot more fun learning this one. Tony Dovolani had to teach the steps in between a lot of texts from her six kids, but he did his job. Bruno said he feels she is back in the competition, and Julianne challenged Tony to keep pushing Kim during rehearsals.

GARY BUSEY - 18 out of 30

Gary takes us back to his youth in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and remembers his glory days on the football field. He said he was actually feeling some of the physical-sense memory kicking in and it was helping him on the dance floor. Anna Trebunskya choreographed a sweet Foxtrot to the Beach Boys "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and the Letterman-jacket clad Gary seemed to be thoroughly enjoying himself. The couple got a huge cheer from the studio audience, causing Gary to yell out "I love this place! I'm here to stay!"

VICTOR ESPINOZA - 17 out of 30

Karina Smirnoff goes campy and over the top with Victor's Jive...mariachi's and sombreros included! Victor pays tribute to his Mexican heritage and is nothing but an energetic crowd pleaser. Is he a dancer? Well, not so much. But as Carrie Ann said, he gets a "10" on the cuteness and enthusiasm scale.

CHAKA KHAN - 15 out of 30

The good news: the queen of funk improved her score by two points. The not so good news: she again forgot her choreography. Chaka's got a great attitude, though, and that goes a long way. Keo Motsepe did about twice as many steps as Chaka in the Foxtrot routine, but it was definitely better than week one. Julianne said, yes, she's on an upward tick, and Carrie Ann praised the warmth she emits when she's in the ballroom.

It's time for someone else to join the "first-to-be-eliminated" club.

SPOILER ALERT

For season 21, it's Chaka Khan who has the honor.

The 12 remaining couples return Tuesday for another round of dancing and another elimination.