Kristi Yamaguchi pulled out all stops on the dance floor last night -- and nailed a perfect score of 60 in the first night of the finals! Now, the question looms -- will the Olympic skater be the second woman ever to be named the winner of "Dancing with the Stars" and score the coveted mirrored ball trophy?

"You obviously have to get the technique, but also complete with the personalities that all the boys have," Yamaguchi told AP after the Monday's show, "I think their smiles and personalities melt hearts across the country." Perhaps they'll also melt the thin ice she's left them on.

Although Kristi has been a consistent winner with the judges, a large part of what determines the outcome is how well the dancers woo the viewers -- and men typically fare better than the female dancers.

"The men are Keep Reading...

In a shocking "Dancing with the Stars" elimination last night, 21-year-old R&B sensation Mario got the boot. Although he's the youngest celebrity to star on "Dancing," he took the news of his elimination with maturity -- even thanking judge Len Goodman, his toughest critic since day one!

After thanking the audience, Mario said, "Len, thank you for all the comments you made -- ultimately, you helped me become a better ballroom dancer. The comment about me being an inspiration to young people, I want to say that the real great ones are the young men and women fighting for our country... thank you guys."

Even though the lowest scores of the week belonged to Tony-winning Marissa Jaret Winokur, Mario found himself in the bottom two with NFL player Jason Taylor -- both former viewer favorites.

Four couples remain -- tune in to ABC next week for the semifinal.

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After bursting into tears at the judges' harsh critiques last week, Shannon Elizabeth has been eliminated from "Dancing with the Stars." The "American Pie" actress, who earned a total of 51 points this week with partner Derek Hough, failed to win over the judges, who slammed her Mambo as "gawky," "gangly" and "awkward."

After her elimination, Shannon stood by partner and rumored fling Derek, saying, "The show has been amazing, I've learned a lot. I've made a friend for life, and hopefully a bunch of friends for life, and I'll be here to support everyone as much as I can."

Shannon was sent packing, but the lowest scores of the week belonged to Cristián de la Fuente -- who suffered a ruptured tendon in his bicep during his Samba performance with partner Cheryl Burke. Although the soap star explained he would need surgery, he decided to delay it so he could continue performing on the show. "If people voted for us and they would like us to be on the show, I would like to continue and not give up," he said.

Five celebrity contestants remain in the dancing competition.

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"Extra" sources say that Cristián de la Fuente will most likely drop out of "Dancing with the Stars" after suffering an arm injury last night. De la Fuente will appear on tonight's results show during which his fate on "DWTS" will be announced.

"Extra" has footage of the Chilean soap star as he was carried away on a stretcher after last night's show. Accompanied by his wife, Cristián was taken in an ambulance to the ER after sustaining a severe muscle cramp during his routine.

De la Fuente's dance partner, Cheryl Burke, told "Extra," "I heard a pop -- I thought it was my dress but afterward he told me 'My arm popped.'" Tune in to "Dancing" tonight to see if Cristián will be forced to drop out of the competition!

Marlee Matlin and partner Fabian Sanchez came up short in the ballroom week
of "Dancing with the Stars" -- and danced their final dance this week. The blonde beauty got a low score of 21 and was sent home by voters, but her appearance on the program was a triumph and inspiration for millions.

Marlee lost her timing during the Mambo, and the rhythmic dance suffered as a result. "You guys looked like you were forcing and struggling," said judge Carrie Ann Inaba.

The audience and judges gave Matlin a rousing standing ovation, and she offered a touching farewell speech, saying, "All I can say is thank you to the judges... I want to thank the magnificent Fabian for giving me the most beautiful art of dance in my life."

The Oscar-winning actress received a hug from longtime friend and "Dancing" host Tom Bergeron, who said, "I'm going to step out of the role and say, as a friend, I am so proud of you."

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Is Paula Abdula jumping reality show ships? After she was spotted with "Extra" correspondent Terri Seymour in the "Dancing with the Stars" audience last night -- a red hot rumor has been rhumba-ling through Hollywood.

The kindhearted "Idol" judge would be willing to shake her money-maker for the competition -- but reveals to OK! magazine that her desire to hit the dance floor is just that for now -- a wish. "I'm just hypothetically thinking about it," she dished, adding, "I'm a huge fan... it would be a phenomenal experience for me to be a student and to learn a form of dance that I've never been introduced to."

The "Straight Up" singer insists that she won't ever leave "American Idol" for the Foxtrot -- if she ever joined the cast of "Dancing," it would have to be during "Idol's" off-season.

Sexual tension is brewing in the ballroom! While Kristi Yamaguchi iced the competition with the first perfect score of the season -- which Carrie Ann called her "favorite dance performed this season so far," -- the other couples sizzled on and off the floor.

Shannon and Derek may have stiffened up on the floor, but they seem to have worked on their chemistry off camera! The pair gave "Extra" a song-and-dance routine by staying mum on their rumored showmance, after the two were caught kissing at the beach. It was Mario and Karina's wildly sensual Rhumba that was too hot for Judge Len Goodman, who decried, "It was too much for me!" Carrie Ann had a different take, saying, "That was better than good sex!"

Cheryl and Cristián also stepped it up last night, with a near-perfect Foxtrot that had Len making a bold promise...Keep Reading...

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"Dancing with the Stars" is heating up -- and power couple Marlee Matlin and partner Fabian Sanchez are dancing their way into the "Extra" studio. The Oscar-winning actress reveals how at week seven of the competition, all the moving and shaking have helped her drop some serious weight.

"I've lost three sizes in my pants," signed Marlee, "but what's really important is my energy has gone way up because I have a good diet... I'm working out every day." Matlin's rhythm has astounded viewers as the first deaf contestant -- but her secret to keeping on beat is no mystery; "I lead, she follows," says Fabian.

Matlin's weight loss reflects in the progressively more risqué outfits she's rocked on the dance floor. How far will "The L Word" actress go with her skimpy threads? "I'll go as far as I can," says Matlin, "as long as they cover up the most important parts that no one should ever see on television."

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The "Dancing" phenomenon is back!

An Oscar-winner, a magician, the King's former queen and a handful of athletes are just a few of the celebrities who have signed on for "Dancing with the Stars."

The sixth season lineup includes Elvis Presley's ex Priscilla, deaf actress Marlee Matlin and Penn Jillette.

The full list:

Female Contestants
Kristi Yamaguchi: Olympic skater
Marlee Matlin: Actress
Marissa Jaret Winokur: Actress
Monica Seles: Tennis pro
Shannon Elizabeth: Actress
Priscilla Presley: Actress

Male Contestants
Christian De La Fuente: Telenovela star
Penn Jillette: magician
Adam Corolla: radio personality
Steve Guttenberg: actor
Mario: R&B singer
Jason Taylor: NFL player

"Extra" special correspondent Karina Smirnoff was with Cameron Mathison as he gave his parting words after being cast off "Dancing with the Stars."

Jane Seymour defied age last night on the season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars," and she's telling us about her dancing passion!

Melanie Brown and dancing partner Maksim Chmerkovskiy tore up the dance floor last night on "Dancing with the Stars," but according to Maksim, there's one thing Mel needs to work on: sharing the attention!

Marie Osmond, Mel B, Jayne Seymour and the rest of dancing divas will cha cha onto the dance floor tonight for the season five premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” and only “Extra” got Judges Bruno and Carrie Ann in our studio, weighing in just moments before the big show.

“We have 12 couples this year as opposed to 10,” Carrie Ann said. “And six men and six women, they're so diverse. We have Marie Osmond, and we’ve got Wayne Newton. I mean that’s royalty.”

So do these two judges have any early predictions?

“Maks has a good partner,” Carrie Ann said. “He’s with Mel B, who has a bit of experience with dance and performing, so she’s probably going to do pretty well.”

Mario Lopez and Karina Smirnoff are getting in the dancing spirit for tonight's season premiere of "Dancing with the Stars"!

This week, Karina and Mario will show you how to do the Cha Cha. Check back every week for a new dance, and be sure to watch "Dancing with the Stars'" 3-night premiere event, starting tonight on ABC.