Reginald VelJohnson burst into tears on Dancing With the Stars

Reginald VelJohnson may not receive the highest score Dancing with the stars Judge, but he generates a lot of love.

The Family matters The star deeply touched the judges at Soul Train Night on Monday, even bringing Carrie Ann Inaba to tears as judge Derek Hough marveled at VelJohnson's energy on the dance floor.

“I don’t know why this makes me so emotional,” Inaba said through tears. “There's something so sweet and innocent about dancing. I wish I could give you tens and tens for bringing us so much joy.”

Guest judge Rosie Perez rounded out the praise, adding, “I just love you.”

The Die Hard The actor is relatively stiff on the dance floor and, at 72, speaks openly about his challenges when changing. But he always brings a bright energy and enthusiasm to the ballroom, which has won the hearts of the judges (and apparently the audience, too, as co-host Julianne Hough mentioned how his results were boosted by audience votes). “They’re thrilled for you,” Hough said.

It all made VelJohnson cry, too, the tear stains still visible on his cheeks, as he and his pro partner Emma Slater headed to the sky box to listen to the sheet music for their foxtrot to Johnny Nash's “I Can See Clearly Now.” “to wait.

The actor will need all the love from the audience to stay in the competition. Despite the judges' goodwill, he and Slater only managed a total of 21 points, which was the lowest score of the evening. All judges gave either a five or a six, which is consistent with what Slater and VelJohnson received in the previous two shows (although at least there was no four this time).

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The duo gets a second chance on Tuesday night's Hair Metal episode, which ends in at least one elimination after the judges' scores from Monday and Tuesday nights are combined with those of the audience.

Slater and VelJohnson are expected to deliver a cha-cha to Twisted Sister's “I Wanna Rock.”

Dancing with the stars airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT on ABC and Disney+.