Dancing with the Stars aired dramatic footage of contestant Elaine Hendrix getting carried off the ballroom floor on a stretcher Tuesday morning following an injury that hospitalized the actress and prevented her from performing in Tuesday night's Halloween episode. While Elaine, 54, remained at the hospital, DWTS aired video from Tuesday morning's rehearsal, during which Elaine is seen visibly in pain, stopping mid-dance.
"Elaine and I were dancing and all of a sudden, Elaine kind of froze and said she can't move and she can't breathe and something happened with her rib," said Elaine's pro dance partner, Alan Bersten. "She's in so much pain that I don't know if we're going to dance tonight. It's just a lot of unknowns. I just hope this isn't the end of Elaine's dream to dance again."
© DisneyDWTS co-host Alfonso Ribiero noted that the rules of the show dictate that if a star is unable to perform, they should be "judged by you at home and scored by the judges on the basis of her last rehearsal." Elaine was still at the hospital as the show aired the couple's rehearsal on the DWTS ballroom floor in athletic clothing, a complicated Argentine Tango to "Bad to the Bone" by 2WEI and Bri Bryant. Earlier in the week, rehearsal footage showed her acknowledging but pushing through the rib pain.
"I'm still injured, so I'm making sure I'm not doing anything really damaging to myself," Elaine said during the opening package. Alan replied: "Does that hurt your rib? We can change it." But Elaine was determined to get the original choreography right: "No let me try again," she said.
© Disney/Andrew Eccles"First and foremost, we love you Elaine," DWTS judge Derek Hough said after watching the rehearsal footage. "We're sending you our best, speedy recovery. It's really hard that we have to judge that. I know Elaine tonight, she would have gone up ten gears," hinting at the lower scores than the judges had been expecting following her breakout performance last week. All four judges, including guest judge Cheryl Burke, awarded Elaine 8s, adding up to a 32/40.
Alan added after the performance: "I spoke to Elaine and she is determined to come back and perform next week if we are fortunate enough to make it. Elaine, I love you, I'm so proud of you and I will see you soon." The couple did survive Tuesday night's elimination, meaning fans theoretically will get to see Elaine return to the dance floor next week for Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Night.
© DisneyElaine offered an update for fans on social media following Alfonso's announcement at the top of Tuesday's show. While she has previously dealt with pain from an old foot injury, this injury was new from performing on the show, she revealed in a video posted to social media from her hospital bed.
"Obviously I'm not in the ballroom," Elaine began. "I injured my ribs during 'Defying Gravity' [last week during Wicked Night] and today they just seized up and I couldn't move. They brought me to the hospital, but the doctor has said with a day or two of rest I should be able to continue and that's exactly what I want to do. I want to dance. I want to keep doing this. Alan is holding down the fort, he's amazing, he's awesome. I was so excited for this routine, you'll be able to see it in its rehearsal form. I love you all. Thank you for the support and please vote because I want to see you next week."
Alfonso's initial announcement on the show came after he introduced the other eight remaining dance couples, Elaine and Alan noticeably absent. "She suffered an injury in rehearsal this morning and is not here. Right now, she's at the hospital being assessed. [Elaine and Alan] are still in the competition and still need your votes. We'll explain more later on."
Elaine has been open previously about struggling with the aftermath of a foot injury that often makes rehearsals difficult. She originally began her performing career as a dancer, but everything changed after a car accident injury rendered those dancing dreams impossible. She pivoted to acting, but was thrilled to be able to return to her dancing roots this season. "I have a titanium joint in my right foot, so that renders half my foot unusable," Elaine explained in the opening package before her Wicked Night performance last week. "Every week, my body shifts into a new pain spot, but I just don't want to let it stop me."
Following a performance last week that left her tied for second place, Elaine said she was "so grateful," adding: I'm so grateful for this moment. I am 54, I am injured and I just did that!"
