Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Miami Olympic gymnast places third in dance show
Miami Olympic gymnast Danell Leyva came in third place Sunday night on the fifth season of “Mira Quien Baila,” Univision’s celebrity dance reality show.
Leyva, 26, was considered a fan favorite on the dance show. Fans of the bronze and silver Olympic medalist took to social media to express their surprise and disappointment at his third-place finish.
Levya won 23 percent of votes and $5,000 to benefit his charity, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
“Thank you so much to @miraquienbaila and @univision for giving me this amazing opportunity and platform to grow as an artist. And most importantly for supporting @aspca,” Leyva posted on Instagram.
Dayanara Torres, the1993 Miss Universe and ex-wife of singer Marc Anthony, won first place, having captured 51 percent of votes, according to Univision.
Ana Patricia Gámez, a former “Nuestra Belleza Latina” (Our Latin Beauty) pageant winner and entertainment co-host of Univision’s morning show “Despierta America,” came in second on the show, with 26 percent of the votes.
The show, which was shot at the network’s Doral studios, has featured 10 Spanish-language celebrities performing dance rou- tines each week since September.
Torres, 43, won $50,000 for her charity, the San Jorge Children’s Foundation in Puerto Rico. She also received “Premio a la Mas Vista” (Most Viewed Award) because three of her dance videos were the most-watched online during the show.