Stars pay tribute to inspirational figures in Week 8 of 'Dancing with the Stars'

LOS ANGELES -- Week eight of "Dancing with the Stars" sounded pretty confusing. The seven remaining celebrities were asked to pay tribute, through dance, to an influential figure in each of their lives. Okay, that's easy enough.

Then host Tom Bergeron got into the rules of the "dance-off," and that's where your head starts spinning. Yes, the couple with the highest score of the night gets immunity. But it's after that that things get fuzzy. The other six couples are paired up in a head-to-head dance off. We vote. The judges vote. Someone else does the tallying, thank goodness, and three couples will get an extra two points. I think this is called "new math."

Here's a look at the evening's scores, from highest to lowest:

NICK CARTER - 30 out of 30; plus 3 extra points and immunity from dance-off - 33 total

Nick gets to celebrate both his first perfect score and his first baby-on-the-way! His wife Lauren's pregnancy motivated him to no end this week. He chose her as his influential figure because he says she's the woman he always dreamed of meeting. Awww! The couple recently found out they were expecting, after struggling with fertility issues. Sharna choreographs a lovely Contemporary to "Can't Help Falling in Love." Bruno Tonioli called the routine a love poem told through dance. Julianne Hough told Nick tonight he showed them he's officially a dancer, and Carrie Ann Inaba said it took her breath away and this was Nick's best dance to date. And then in what has to be a DWTS first, Nick and Lauren are surprised with a giant box of blue balloons...meaning, they are having a boy.

CARLOS PENAVEGA - 27 out of 30; plus 2 extra points - 29 total

Carlos seemed a bit embarrassed to admit that he's Latin and has never done the Salsa in his life. Luckily, the man he considers his influential figure is also a Salsa king. Carlos says Marc Anthony has inspired him in the past, so he asks for more guidance in the Salsa department. Marc encourages him to connect with his Latin roots. And boy does he! Carlos and Witney shake it all over the ballroom. And not to put too fine a point on it, but he does go shirtless halfway through the dance. Thank you, Carlos. Julianne told him he should acknowledge the Salsa in his blood and go with it. Carrie Ann thought it started rough but he kicked it up during the routine and liked their connection, and Bruno called him "Magic Carlos" (harkening back to his "Magic Mike" routine).

BINDI IRWIN - 28 out of 30

Bindi channeled Grace Kelly for her Foxtrot. She says she chose the former actress because she always showed herself to be a strong, fierce individual who stayed true to her beliefs. Bindi and her partner Derek talked about how it can be tough to be dubbed "frontrunner" but they don't let it go to her head. The real problem is actually her feet. Bruises and blisters galore, and sadly, they show us her missing toenails. Who knew dancing was so brutal? No feet problems showed up during the routine, and Carrie Ann praised her elegance and energy from start to finish. Since we are in week eight, both Julianne and Bruno said it's time to knit-pick. They both saw problems with Bindi's shoulders and told her to work on that tiny little posture issue.

TAMAR BRAXTON - 28 out of 30

Val was mad at the way Tamar was portrayed last week. He give her encouragement and wants her to keep believing she IS the best dancer in the competition. Tamar chose her big sister, Toni, as her inspiration. But she danced to a Lady Gaga song. It seems like the words to "Born this Way" pretty much fit Tamar. Val choreographs what Bruno called a "pure" Paso Doble. Julianne said the routine showcased what she can do, and Carrie Ann let Tamar know a lot of people in the ballroom think she's an incredible dancer.

ALEXA PENAVEGA- 25 out of 30; plus 2 extra points - 27 total

Alexa went to the Bible for her inspiration. The tiny dancer feels a connection to David from the David and Goliath story. She's going to battle to the end. She's bringing the intention and boldness she found in herself last week and trying to build on that. Mark Ballas does a larger-than-life staging for their Argentine Tango. The dance is great expect for two of the "teeniest, tiniest mistakes" (so said Carrie Ann). Bruno and Julianne noted that no matter how small the slip-ups, we're heading toward the end of the competition and every little boo-boo matters.

ALEK SKARLATOS - 25 out of 30

Alek was apologetic for the way he came off last week. He explained that he has hard days just like anyone else, and that it can be hard to live up to this "hero" image that some people put on him (and his buddies). Lindsay advised him to just embrace it, and American sniper Chris Kyle's widow, Taya, also chimed in with words of encouragement. During the week, Chris got to go to a World Series game where he was honored and humbled. They did a Contemporary routine to "Holding Out for a Hero" and Bruno felt it showed heroism and strength. Carrie Ann thought he rose to the occasion, and Julianne wants to see more.

ANDY GRAMMER - 22 out of 30; plus 2 extra points - 24 total

Andy gets to use his professional influence to honor his personal hero, his late mom. He says she grew up listening to Stevie Wonder and his music, especially songs like "Isn't She Lovely?" remind Andy of his mother. Andy told us he feels like this Viennese Waltz was a chance for one last dance with his mom. The judges heaped nothing but praise for the emotional side of the dance, but they all dinged him for technique and thought he'd taken a few steps backward.

After all that dancing, someone still had to be sent home. It's almost anti-climactic! The two couples in jeopardy (SPOILER ALERT): Andy Grammer and Allison Holker, and Carlos PenaVega and Witney Carson.

And leaving the competition... Andy Grammer. Maybe five-months pregnant Allison is ready for a break!