Latter-day Saint Life

Latter-day Saint Dancers Win on "World of Dance" + Why That Almost Didn't Happen

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Latter-day Saint dancers Charity Anderson and Andres Peñate have made history yet again. Not only have they become the first dancers to earn a perfect score on World of Dance, they are also the first Latter-day Saints to win the junior division. But that almost didn't happen. 

Four days before their performance, Anderson fell during practice and broke her left toe, jeopardizing their chances of winning the competition. 

"We were really nervous,” Anderson shared on the show. “This is my dominant foot, which I land on and jump off of, so we had to switch my dominant side to my right side.”

With little time to recover, the dancers had a choice: drop out of the competition or make quick adjustments to their routine and hope for the best. 

Choosing the latter, the two took the stage for what would be their final performance and, despite all odds, wowed the judges, earning a score of 93. 

"As dancers, so much of our balance and groundedness comes from our feet, so the fact you could do that with a broken toe, just demonstrates what a powerful dancer you are,” judge Misty Copeland said.

"Andres, for you this was a stellar routine. You got to shine in this one,” judge Jennifer Lopez added. "I think you guys were amazing tonight.”

But Anderson and Peñate weren't the only Latter-day Saints to come away with a top spot in the competition. Jaxon Willard also shone during the show's finale, earning third place with his dance to Johnny Manuel’s “Blind Faith" and a score of 87.8. 

“Beyond this show, beyond dance and everything, you are enough — you always have been,” judge Derek Hough told Willard on the show. 

Watch these Latter-day Saints' incredible performances below.

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Lead image screenshot from YouTube
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