Joanna's last dance on DWTS

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Anyone could have gone home on Dancing With the Stars last night, but sadly, after the votes were counted, it was model Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough who said goodbye. But Joanna is just happy she made it to this season's semifinals. "From the beginning, I came in as the underdog. I was against people with bigger fan bases," she tells In Touch. "I was just honored to be in the final four. I exceeded my expectations." During what would be her last show, Joanna proved just how far she's come when she received 27 points for each of her three dances. "We leave on a high, with great scores and a beautiful dance. I'm not even sad," says her professional dancing partner, Derek.

For more with this week's eliminated couple click here.


Did you think this was your last night?
Joanna: It was a really tough competition. I was competing against some amazing professionals. I am just blessed and really happy to have gotten to this level.

What will you miss about this?
Joanna: Everything. That first week I was asking myself if I could really do this — and every week was hard. It's a live show, and you really don't get used to it. The whole experience made me stronger and more confident. I had a blast working with Derek and looked forward to rehearsals every week. I learned to dance. I would go to clubs on the weekends, but never considered myself a dancer. And at our first rehearsals, Derek didn't think I could dance — and I made the semifinals!
Derek: I am so proud of her, and it's been a joy working with her. I would look forward to seeing this pretty face every day. A lot of people go on the show and make the finals, but have flat seasons. I think ours has been very colorful and dynamic.

But are back next week for the finale?
Joanna: Yes, we have a fun dance planned, something we have done before and was a highlight of our season.
Derek: Yeah, with a twist.

So no pressure next week?
Joanna: Well, we are not off easy, as we have to go to New York for work, but...
Derek: And that's what makes the semifinals great. You still go all the way, and to be honest with you, I'd much rather be in the semifinals than third or second. I am not kidding — to do all that work and not win would kill me.

Are you going to take some time off?
Joanna: Definitely not! I have some things lined up for work and lot of meetings I couldn't do because my priority was this show. Maybe just for one day I will be able to sleep in and catch up on the past 13 weeks of no sleep.

How are you going to maintain your new body?
Joanna: Good question.
Derek: Oh, she's going to be eating a lot of hamburgers to get her butt back.
Joanna: Yes I definitely worked my butt off and my cleavage, so those two can come back. I am leaner and stronger. I need to figure out how to get those back and keep everything else in check.

What has the response to your new Playboy issue been like? Joanna: It's been great — especially from women.
Derek: Tom Bergeron bought it to rehearsals yesterday and was looking at it. I said I wasn't going to look at it until after we had finished the show, so tonight, it's a glass of red wine and some reading.
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