Dancing's final four contestants will hit the floor Monday night and, according to host Samantha Harris, viewers are in for a no-holds-barred semi-final week unlike any they have seen before.
"It's anyone's game," Harris told PEOPLE Saturday at the Hallmark Celbri-Tree Holiday Open House benefiting Feeding America. "The competition has picked up so much momentum in the past two weeks and now it's come down to the final four and the right final four."
Season 9's cream of the crop includes Donny Osmond, the last man standing, along with reality star Kelly Osbourne, singer Mya and model Joanna Krupa. The group arguably makes for the most even playing field in a semi-final round in the show's history. And for the first time since season 1, there's not an athlete left in the competition.
On Monday night's performance show, each couple will dance an unprecedented three dances. The mere thought of that makes last season's second runner-up, Melissa Rycroft, weak in the knees.
"I do not envy them at all," says Rycroft, who's been invited back to perform on Tuesday night's live results show. "I'm so excited but I'm not nervous. I'm not being judged so it's all for fun. But I remember that feeling last season when I made it to the semifinals. I was so happy I made it, but I also knew how much hard work was ahead."
With time running out, the stars tweeted how they were preparing for their big showdown. Osmond happily indulged in carbs while Osbourne had to get a shot in her toes.
Season 7 champ Brooke Burke visited with her former pro partner Derek Hough and his current partner Joanna Krupa to lend some support at rehearsals, and Mya was hoping for a power nap after Sunday's camera blocking.
Once Monday night comes, it's all in the hands of the judges and the voting public. "Every year the finalists are amazing and this year is no different," Rycroft says. Except that this time around she has no reason to be nervous. "I can sit and enjoy the show from my seat in the audience."
The Dancing With the Stars semi-final performance show airs tonight (8 p.m. EST) on ABC. --Monica Rizzo
Tell us: Who will make the finals? Who will go all the way?Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin
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