On Dancing With the Stars, Selma Blair is taking her last bow.
The Cruel Intentions actress confessed on Monday’s program that she could no longer compete in the dance competition owing to her continuing struggle with multiple sclerosis.
“So, I’ve been monitored… I had MRIs and the results came back, and it all adds up to, I can’t go on with the competition,” Blair revealed to her dance partner, Sasha Farber. “I’ve pushed as far as I could. With a chronic illness, you do have special considerations, and my body has taken a hit. It’s way too much for the safety of my bones. I could do extensive damage that I, of course, do not want.”
Blair was nevertheless determined to do one more dance with Farber, a Waltz set to Andra Day’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love.”
“I really want to have one last beautiful dance with you, and bow out,” she continued. “So, this is a dance for everyone that has tried and hoped they could do more, but also, the power in realizing it’s time to walk away. I am so, so grateful to be able to do one last gentle dance.”
Everyone in the ballroom was in tears following the presentation, and the duo mounted the stage once more to sing.
After their emotional final dance, the judges praised Blair and thanked her for sharing her story with the DWTS and the rest of the globe.
“This competition is tough for everyone, but if the others have climbed hills, you have climbed mountains,” Len Goodman shared, with Derek Hough adding, “You’ve brought nothing but joy to everyone, always with a smile… thank you for sharing this journey with us all.”
Meanwhile, judge Bruno Tonioli hailed Blair an inspiration to “millions,” while Carrie Ann Inaba described witnessing Blair dance as a “live breathing, beautifully moving wonder.”
“You are a gift and a blessing,” Inaba continued.
The 50-year-old actress addressed the crowd one more time, telling presenter Alfonso Ribeiro that seeing the audience react to her and Farber’s efforts on the dance floor has been amazing.”I don’t think people understand what this show means to us here, especially this season… and to see the audience react to each and every one of us and our efforts, it’s so heartening. I wish I could stay and learn… I am so proud of everyone and I am so proud of this audience for seeing us,” Blair said.
In terms of her decision to pull back, she explained that she didn’t want to physically push herself to a point from which she couldn’t recover.
“I came into the competition late, and I had really been on almost bed rest… for 10 years. So, I definitely was so excited to get into being so active and learning something… But it is a lot on your body, and it’s so hard for me to take care, because I don’t want to,” she insisted. “I so want to be here. I am a mom, and I don’t want to be laid up again because I’m afraid I won’t get back.”
Farber also said farewell to the audience, but not before complimenting his partner and how she’s inspired him again after a difficult year, which included his breakup with fellow dancing star Emma Slater.