DWTS 14 Semi-Finals Saying Good-bye To The Greek Warrior Princess Maria Menounos (Videos)
This post is a collaboration effort between Heidi and I (Vogue). As predicted, it was a painful elimination last night for many of us losing Derek and Maria. Though I have to say I feel so blessed at the same time for witnessing such a pair. One thing this show continues to show every season is the “fight” in people no matter what their challenges and struggles they’ve had and/or what they face. Whatever hits them or how scared they are that they will fail, some people just get back up, start over, and fight that much harder and even in an unselfconscious manner. THAT’S what I’ll remember the most about Maria Menounos with her time on Dancing With The Stars. She proved to people you can do anything you want and there are no excuses or “crying in baseball”. What’s more, Maria did it with so much heart and soul…and with a quirky, fun spirit, and laugh as well. She and Derek really did win a Mirror Ball in a way by not only by giving us some dances we will soon never forget on Dancing With The Stars, but, by finding the close “bond” that they did. So, for those who have come to the site to gloat, laugh, and tee hee at their elimination, go ahead and do so because Derek, Maria, and their fans know what they have truly found and won in a bigger and more important way. 
Ok, below is Miss Heidi with a wrap up of all the elimination interviews with Derek and Maria. Be sure to visit Pure Derek Hough for lots more now and in the coming days.
Blurbs from E! News:
Maria Menounos and Derek Hough were the couple to say goodbye to the ballroom tonight, but don’t expect any regrets from the TV host!
“I feel like I accomplished everything I set out to accomplish,” she tells us. “I danced every single dance there was.”
Many people were surprised by Maria and Derek’s elimination considering they were at the top of the leaderboard after last night’s performance show, earning a near-perfect score of 59. However, Maria reveals her partner knew their journey was coming to an end. “Derek did prepare me earlier today,” she says. “I’m not gonna lie. He said, ‘I have a feeling we’re going home tonight.’”
Derek isn’t too bummed about coming in fourth. In fact, he actually prefers it! “I always say this: There’s two places to come, first or fourth, because second and third really suck. Coming thisclose and not getting it? That bites. Everybody comes back in the finals anyway, so semifinals is a really place to come besides winning.”
All season long there’s been speculation about Maria and Derek’s sizzling chemistry extending beyond the dance floor. So what did the duo, who shared a steamy kiss during a past performance, have to say for themselves? “We’re going to keep kissing!” Maria tells us, before planting a smooch on Derek’s lips before our very eyes!
Derek knows the ins and outs of this show better than any other pro on this show – and better than me and Courtney, I wager. 
From Daily News:
Even though partner Derek Hough dubbed her a “champion of life,” Maria Menounos lost her shot at being the Mirror Ball champ for this season of “Dancing With the Stars” Tuesday night.
The “Extra” TV correspondent was misty-eyed as host Tom Bergeron revealed that the vibrant couple would be the ones to leave, but she didn’t miss a beat thanking Hough for his continued support.
“I want to obviously thank Derek because I wouldn’t have gotten this far without his awesome choreography,” she said. “I love him and I can’t thank him enough for making this experience what it’s been for me.”
Video from Derek that I had trouble seeing for some reason – you should be able to see it now. And they remain as cute as ever!
Here’s eTalk edited
Access Hollywood
And lastly, here they are in New York City this morning after pulling a red eye to do Good Morning America.
I’m so glad I discovered you few...
I’m sad to see these two go. Because she was so strong and fit, and because she *completely* trusted him, they were able to produce some of the most, for me, memorable performances ever. Their chemistry made me nostalgic for younger days.
That sense of if I fall, I KNOW you will catch me, that was way sexy, completely more sexy to me than more overt displays of sexuality.
Team Menough will be my ultimate favorite dance couple on the show ever. Their chemistry was just out of this world amazing! Love the two and to us fans they are the winners!
Is there a video of them kissing in front of E!?
Wow, what wonderful comments at the beginning if this post! I still just can’t get enough of this beautiful couple. Thanks for all of
the hard work ladies!!
Yeah, Jess, you pretty much summed it up. That level of trust and friendship is VERY sexy.
So sorry to see Maria & Derek leave. I miss them already. It’s bittersweet because I’m sad they’re no longer in the competition but at the same time I’m so proud of what they accomplished and under some very challenging circumstances! Their partnership to me was the perfect match and they complimented each other so well. As far as dancing is concerned, there chemistry IS second to none. They always left me saying, dang that was hot!-lol Did they or didn’t they, will they or won’t they-lol So very passionate and fun!
I have so much respect for Maria! Truly a champion in my eyes. No matter what her challenges were, she “never” complained and “always” rose to the occasion. She also kept Derek balanced!-very nice to see! Way to go “GG” AKA Greek Goddess!
I also have to credit Derek too because he had to be very creative in choreographing around her injuries! He’s the best as he still managed to create some of the most memorable, breathtaking performances of the season with Maria! Who can forget their fierce Paso Doble or their passionate Rumba! Such an amazing choreographer!
Team Menough were my favorites this season and I will miss not seeing them in the finals. It won’t be the same without them. Hopefully they’ll perform something magical for the FINALE…
Thanks for the beautiful comments Heidi & Vogue!
Vogue/Heidi, I love that intro comment to this post. So true … I am truly amazed at what this woman has accomplished this season and no one was giving her much of a chance in week 1. Truly a testament to her strength, perseverance, will, and drive to achieve the level of dancing she did every week while working full time and dealing with all her injuries. Not to mention a testament to Derek’s teaching, patience, genius choreography, and his innate talent in making his partners always look good. But they really put the hard work into this season, by working 23 more hours per week than any other couple. They really wanted to give themselves and their fans a fighting chance to win that MBT. I am so proud to be a Menough fan and so proud of Derek and Maria. Maria is thisclose to being my fave partner of Derek’s. She might as well be a tie with Jennifer Grey for me at this point. =)
I am sad today also. Loved watching Maria & Derek. They were my favorites. Am glad to see that they went out their heads held high and such class.
I’m hoping for the something magical for the FINALE also.
that would be the treat of the season.
I hope we now hear more from Derek on COBU 3D. Just can’t get enough of this young man. So talented.
Beautiful comments Guys! <3 <3
Of many things I have seen today regarding DWTS last night, 2 of them struck me as having some very accurate observations. One is on the PureDerekHough site, under Maria and Derek Just Wanna Dance posted by “Larry”. The other, a CBS news site-Celebrity Circuit article called Painful Exit of a Champion.
If Maria was going to blindly trust, she probably chose one of the last reliable places she could do that, in the hands of DH. Almost everyone knows now, there is very little that you see, feel or hear, that you can REALLY trust, especially at first glance. So really trusting someone, a pretty big risk and he did a great job for her every minute she performed on DWTS. Not much has to be based in accuracy or truth anymore Yup, “cynical, table for one”. Comes from one of my 2 jobs…the grittier one. One of my only havens from that daily dose of reality, watching a truly, gifted artist, Derek Hough, do beautiful work. One of my fears, that he may have to give up on a unique gift(somewhat like his sis), so he can compete and earn a living where great talent, dedication and flawless work is apparently not that important to consumers anymore. Big, splashy, loud is all that’s needed, don’t dwell on any subtle details or minor “flaws”.
Older people around me have said that if DH had been around with Gene Kelly or Astaire, he would have been a legend. With the lack of appreciation for really skilled dancers and intricate and emotive choreography, in the mainstream mediums like TV (note what the viewers apparently want, IF we believe the numbers on DWTS) he will be truly lucky if he can continue to do it, maybe combined with something else, without loss of quality. Selfishly, for myself and a lot of people around me, I certainly hope he will find a way.
Mimi – Thank you for what you’ve said – so well put and right on point.
I too feel, that especially this year, some of the pros just didn’t get the skill etc of the actual dances – of course the music they were given didn’t help at times.
I so appreciate what Derek brings to the table he’s always got his mind in the dance not always for the splash etc.
I think TPTB are more into the splashy etc.
Such a shame. I love the comparison with GK or Astaire, so true-I still love to watch the Singing in the Rain w/Maria.
Will be interesting to see what Derek chooses to do. I’m hoping his COBU3D movie goes over well.
The two things I will always remeber about her on the show are 1) her killer body (she really had a dancer’s body) and 2) her persistance. She really tried and gave 110%. Now, I think season 15 and every future season should have her dad in the audiencce but with her. He was always fun to watch becuase of his reactions after the dances.
On a side note, I think we have maybe one or two more season with derek but i really hope his movie areer takes off. I hope he does braodway too! Tony winner Derek Hough has a nice ring to it.
I just listened to the entire Afterbuzz podcast from Monday. If you haven’t listened to it, get it off iTunes. It is fantastic. It just made me so sad that these two are not around next week. I think we may have missed out on one of the best freestyles ever. I hope when Derek refers to possibly doing some of it in the finale comes true.
Anyway, in the podcast they interview Derek’s dad. The ladies ask him to say something about Derek that nobody knows and he says Derek has a very tender heart.
Derek has taken attacks and jealousy from some of the other pros and obviously several people who watch the show and he has never once attacked any of them in return. Maks last season, Cheryl this season, and not to mention pretty much everyone Nicole’s season, except Anna. He is just a classy, talented, humble young man with a very bright future ahead of him. Maria is easily my favorite partner of his from all seasons. She was so much fun and so supportive of everyone else on the show, and never complained. These two will be greatly missed on Monday, but I will watch Tuesday to watch Donald win and see their return performance.
He was actually supposed to do something on Broadway, Vin, but reshoots for his movie took precedence. He never said what exactly he had planned…and I tried to get it out of him, but he’s crafty and tightlipped.
Easy when you do a email interview.
Thank you for the truly beautiful comments at the beginning of the post. I almost started crying. I too will miss Derek and Maria. I wish someone else had left (starts with a W), but Derek and Maria left me with really great memories of some wonderful dances they did this season and they should be proud.
Thank you for all the work you do on this site. It is so enjoyable to read. My DWTS evening isn’t over until I’ve read all your comments!
I’m really going to miss Maria & Derek, a fantastic couple. They did an amazing job throughout the season and should be proud.
Seeing someone persevere week after week despite difficulties really goes a long way in my eyes. I just loved how even though Maria got battered with injuries, she kept working hard and gave it her all and produced some fantastic, memorable dances.
It’s not just that: Maria is, in my opinion of course, one of the most improved contestants ever. To be totally honest, while she was not bad in her cha cha, I just didn’t see her getting too far. I was worried she would be a totally awkward mover and very stiff. She went from that, to producing STUNNING dances like the Rumba, Paso, and V.Waltz. The transformation was just incredible.
Maria just made me so proud and was so inspiring. Same for Derek.
They really remind me of this quote that I heard that I will never forget:
“We are not judged by the number of times we fail, but by the number of times we succeed: Success is not when you win, it’s when you got knocked down and got back up on your feet.”
I was so sad to see Derek and Maria leave last night but the only consolation is they can rest and heal their bodies. They were great together and will be missed.
To me the only good thing about them being eliminated now is that the media has had to acknowledge them. If they had gone early in the season, they might well have been ignored by a lot of media (as they were throughout the season) and next week the winners would have had all the headlines (I love them but don’t think that their fanbase could beat Donald’s). So after being sidelined throughout – they are now being mentioned and cheered and so they should be! And extra kudos to them for being so gracious and charming in these interviews after being ignored and then having no sleep!
Thanks to PureDWTS for providing us with a space to say hooray for Menough! Well done to Derek for taking such a novice and despite her injuries raising her to be such a competitor that people are saying she should have been in the final. Maria is a warrior and Derek knows how to do his job!
Hope that he finds an outlet for the choreography outside of the show which is getting further and further from its routes. Really keep my fingers crossed for Broadway or films – anything to allow those amazing and creative routines to keep coming. In the UK, some of the dancers from the show do their own dance tours in theatres around the country – would think that enough people would come to see Derek (and he knows enough other people who could join him I’m sure) and boy would they put on a show!!!
I’m so unhappy on many levels that D&M had to leave. It is a travesty. I agree that Maria didn’t seem to have much promise in the beginning but then look what Derek accomplished with her. Their obvious chemistry had me hooked, as well as Derek’s always exquisite, inventive choreography and mind-blowing dancing skills. Their performances were fabulous, and even more so because they elicited an emotional reaction from the viewer, something I didn’t experience with any of the other couples’ dances. Derek is such a unique, incomparable artist that I feel so lucky to watch his performances and so sad now that it is over. I am a fan forever and can’t wait for what he does next to showcase his extraordinary talent. I hope Cobu 3D will be amazing and bring him even more well-deserved success.
What a journey, what a testament to willpower and determination, and what miracles can be achieved when your partner is a genius! As we approached the 11th hour it sure looked like an upset as one seemed to be closing up the gap and overtaking several coming into the home stretch. At the end of Monday night it was a nail biter and anyone’s guess considering no one knows who is and isn’t getting the viewer votes. It’s sad that anyone has to leave now, but there can only be one winner and now there are three. I’m anxious to study the upcoming dances and then speculate on who I thought did the best.