Marini and Johnson tie at `Dancing' final
LOS ANGELES: Shawn Johnson and Gilles Marini head into Tuesday's "Dancing With the Stars" finale tied with 58 points. Melissa Rycroft is two points behind with 56.
Johnson earned a perfect score Monday for her spirited freestyle dance, plus 28 points for her paso doble. Marini performed a perfect paso and scored 28 points for his freestyle dance. Rycroft collected 29 points for her paso doble and 27 for her freestyle performance. All three said Monday they want to win.
Rycroft said her 11 weeks on the hit ABC show have been such a whirlwind that it took her some time to realize that she wanted to take home the trophy. "I really do want it," she said. Johnson, the show's youngest competitor ever at 17, said, "Win, lose or draw, I gave my best." Marini said being on the show has been "a blessing," and his professional partner, Cheryl Burke, noted the show's outcome is in fans' hands now. "We've done all we can do," she said.
A new "Dancing" champ will be crowned Tuesday.