Martinez Brings Tears, Joy To ‘Dancing With The Stars’

Last night on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” the celebrities’ dances evoked the most memorable year of their lives. Highlights included J.R. Martinez. Badly burned while fighting in Iraq, he said there was once a time that he wanted to die. The soldier-turned-actor and pro partner Karina Smirnoff did a rumba to Tim McGraw’s “If You’re Reading This,” about wives who receive letters saying that their husbands aren’t coming home from war. In the audience was his guest, teenager Jenna Bullen, who was burned over 95% of her body in a hot water heater accident when she was 3-years-old. When it was over, Martinez was shaking and crying. The audience was also in tears as it gave the pair a long standing ovation. The judges showered them with praise and a second-place finish with 26 points. A teary-eyed Carrie Ann Inaba called it “one of the most profound, honest dances I’ve ever seen.” Ricki Lake’s dance spoke of her difficult stretch last year when she got divorced and her house burned down. She had the night’s top score of 27. Chaz Bono paid tribute to this year, when he underwent a transgender procedure. He danced to “Laugh at Me,” a song by his father, the late Sonny Bono, and drew mixed reviews. He finished last with a disappointing 18.