International Gymnast Magazine Online- John Crumlish

Performing the foxtrot, Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson and partner Mark Ballas tied two other couples for the judges’ top scores Monday on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars.”

Johnson and Ballas perform on week three of “Dancing with the Stars”

Johnson and Ballas, who earned the third-highest judges’ combined total in the first and second week of competition, earned strong reviews from all three judges for their foxtrot Monday. Prior to their performance, Johnson said she wanted to show that a 17-year-old gymnast could dance like a lady.

“You weren’t just a lady, you were like a beautiful, elegant princess,” said judge Carrie Ann Inaba, who gave the couple a score of 9 points out of 10. “I have not seen people glide on the floor like you did tonight. You were like dancing on ice. It was so smooth. You guys were in perfect synch.”

Judge Len Goodman said that [Johnson’s] performance was her best thus far in the competition. Goodman also gave Johnson and Ballas a score of 9 points.

“It was like watching a beautiful, bejeweled hummingbird,” said the third judge, Bruno Tonioli, who awarded Johnson and Ballas 9 points.

(The phone line for Johnson and Ballas is 1-800-868-3409.) Based on audience votes and the judges’ scores, the lowest scoring couple will be eliminated on Tuesday’s results show.

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