Valerie Harper inspires, exits 'Dancing with the Stars'
鈥淢ary Tyler Moore鈥� star Valerie Harper was the latest contestant to be eliminated from 鈥�Dancing with the Stars,鈥� leaving the show on Monday, Oct. 7.
Harper, who was recently diagnosed with terminal lung cancer, was paired with dancing pro Tristan MacManus for the competition and they performed a Viennese waltz for their last number, set to the song 鈥淐arry On鈥� by the band fun.
[Editor's note: The original story incorrectly stated the nature of Valerie Harper's illness.]
When she received the news that she was leaving the show, according to , Harper said, 鈥淚t has been absolutely wonderful. Completely unique. Like nothing else in the world that you would ever do. And it was an opportunity for me to carry a message to folks, not just with cancer, but with whatever challenge, like our song tonight 鈥� carry on, carry on.鈥�
鈥淚 think maybe life鈥檚 a little bit better since I met Valerie Harper,鈥� MacManus said of his partner.
Meanwhile, her fellow contestants praised Harper in interviews with .
鈥淚 hope to God I can be half the inspiration she is,鈥� Bill Engvall said. 鈥淚 kind of wish they鈥檇 have just given her the trophy.鈥�
Two contestants were eliminated before Harper, with NFL player Keyshawn Johnson leaving on Sept. 23 and TV science host Bill Nye departing on Sept. 30.
Before performing her routine, Harper said, 鈥淚 am not at all ready to quit,鈥� noting that she and MacManus had received low scores lately but saying she wanted to improve.
Former 鈥淒WTS鈥� participant Julianne Hough returned for the show on Monday as a judge, subbing in for Len Goodman.
After Harper and MacManus did their routine, Hough called it "beautiful," but judge Carrie Ann Inaba said the dance had 鈥渟ome beautiful moments鈥� but that the 鈥渕istakes stood out more鈥� in the waltz, according to USA Today. Harper received scores of 6 from each of the judges.
鈥淒ancing鈥� is currently airing its 17th season.
