Why Skai Jackson's DWTS Comeback Is Making Fans Emotional
Actress-turned-dancer Skai Jackson and her professional dance partner, Alan Bersten, brought their A-game to the Oct. 5, 2020 episode of Dancing with The Stars — but they probably should've brought the Kleenex, too.
During the performance, Jackson managed to snag her very first "10" and an overall score of 28 — the highest in the entire season thus far, per the Daily Mail. But more than that, she left the judges stunned and mesmerized. "Skai Jackson, last week I said it wasn't my favorite. This was my absolute favorite dance of the night. I mean, it was just exquisite," judge Derek Hough gushed (via People).
Fellow judge Bruno Tonioli echoed the sentiment, referring to the dance number as "stunning" and "the embodiment of grace and elegance." While the performance was spot-on, it also contained a rather emotional element. Keep reading after the jump to find out why there wasn't a dry eye left in the room.
Skai Jackson dedicated her performance to her late co-star Cameron Boyce
During a rehearsal clip, Skai Jackson revealed that the Foxtrot number that she was set to perform on Dancing with the Stars on Oct. 5, 2020, was dedicated to her late co-star and friend, Cameron Boyce. "I want this dance to be dedicated to Cameron, who was a really close friend of mine and co-star," Jackson explained (via Entertainment Tonight). "He was in my life for half of my life, which was crazy. We built up this bond for years and years and years."
Per the Daily Mail, Jackson and Boyce both starred in the Disney hit series, Jessie, from 2011 until 2015. Jackson went on to acknowledge Boyce for his mentorship. "He molded me into the person I am now. Of course I miss him every day, but I have him on my phone case so I get to see him," Jackson said as her eyes filled with tears. She then whipped out her phone to show off the photo of him that she carries around. We're not crying. You're crying.
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba seemed particularly touched by the performance. "First of all, for me, dance is always about the emotion, and I'm sure that Cameron is watching you right now and he is so proud of you. What you did, you were like an angel dancing the most beautiful dance. ... It was just sheer perfection," Inaba gushed (via People).
According to ABC News, Boyce passed away in July 2019 from complications due to an "ongoing medical condition." The young actor was only 20 years old.