For the second time in a row Dancing with the stars Producers surprised the show’s audience by announcing that all five semi-finalists would advance to the finals next week.

While some of the pros confided to TV Insider that the news wasn’t a complete shock (certainly not once as host Alfonso Ribeiro announced a three-hour finale during the show), one celeb certainly thought he was quitting dancing shoes – and his glasses – for the season given his slightly lower results and the fact that three pairs ahead of him were considered safe.

“I thought it was between Rylee (Arnold) and me and Ilona (Maher) and Alan (Bersten),” Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik told TV Insider on the press line after the show. “She did better. She has a larger fan base. That’s it. I thought my dance journey was probably over. When I heard them say we (all) made it to the final, I fell to the floor with excitement.”

The evening started off challenging for Nedoroscik. He and Arnold received 25 points for their cha-cha-cha to the song “Bailar.” While this is a great result for the first half of the season, couples in the semi-finals traditionally rank higher.

A snafu occurred during the couple’s second dance, a tango, when Nedoroscik’s glasses came off slightly, affecting his vision. “I tried to fix it,” he says. “They didn’t really get along, so Rylee dumped her.”

Disney/Eric McCandless

“I saw that they were crooked,” says Arnold. “I just did it.”

“It was absolutely “That’s the right thing to do,” Nedoroscik quickly adds, pointing out that it’s better to finish a dance without glasses than to put them on incorrectly.

Judge Carrie Ann Inaba said in her criticism that she could understand Nedoroscik’s glasses mishap. “I have really bad eyesight – not now,” she clarified. “I wear my contact lenses.” Inaba added that what likely happened to Nedoroscki’s depth perception after he removed his glasses halfway from his face was no joke. “I was so impressed. You didn’t stop. You kept going and kept (Rylee) dancing like a pro!”

Inaba made it clear how impressed she was with Nedoroscik by giving him a grade of “10.” “Sometimes it’s just magical and that’s all – that was a 10 for me!” she was thrilled.

Even before the semifinals, Arnold praised Nedoroscik’s work ethic. “I really saw him become a dancer,” she told TV Insider. “He makes sure he does every single step right. It was fun watching his learning process. I’m so proud of him. I just love Stephen. He was the best partner.”

Now the pair, along with the other four finalists, are preparing for their respective freestyle dance, which could decide who wins the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball trophy.

Nedoroscik’s freestyle, says Arnold, will “have a big impact on Stephen’s world.” It’s something that Dancing with the stars never seen before. We are very excited.”

Dancing with the stars3-hour season 33 finale, Tuesday, November 26, 7/8, ABC