Another elimination from 'Dancing With the Stars'

[May 14, 2008]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur won't be adding a mirrorball trophy to her collection of prizes -- the actress was eliminated Tuesday from "Dancing With the Stars."

She and her professional partner, Tony Dovolani, came into the semifinal results show in last place, with 52 points out of 60. The couple divided the judges Monday with their quickstep and rumba, earning 26 points for each performance.

Judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which couple is eliminated each week.

Winokur, who has worn a glowing smile throughout the competition, kept grinning even after she learned her fate.

"I've never felt sexier in my life. Just going through this ride, I feel like I can pretty much do anything," said the full-figured Winokur, adding that she "wanted to prove to people that you don't have to be a size zero to dance."

"I want everyone to go out and do something fun," she said as the credits rolled on the ABC dance-off. "Do something that makes you feel sexy and shake what your mama gave you."

Tuesday's show also featured a tribute to Michael Jackson's "Thriller," with Omarion singing a medley of hits from the 1980s album as dozens of dancers performed some of Jackson's signature moves.

The show's tiniest competitors, the ballroom kids, also returned to dance floor. One of three preteen couples will be crowned junior champions during next week's season finale.

Usher is set to perform on the final show, as are the celebrity dancers who've been eliminated during this season's competition: Mario, Marlee Matlin, Priscilla Presley, Adam Carolla, Steve Guttenberg, Monica Seles and Penn Jillette.

Finalists Jason Taylor, Kristi Yamaguchi and Cristian de la Fuente will do their last dances Monday, and one will be named season champ on Tuesday.

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ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Co.

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On the Net:

ABC: http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancingwiththestars/

[Associated Press; By SANDY COHEN]

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