Gilles Marini Heats Up ‘Dancing’ Competition Without His Shirt

Gilles Marini made a major splash on “Dancing With the Stars” on Monday night, proving once again, he is the celebrity dancer to beat.

Gilles, the “Sex and The City” heartthrob, who last week netted the first perfect score of the season, once again tackled the ballroom with professional partner Cheryl Burke to great acclaim. The dance floor couple’s paso doble was filled with dramatic lines and perfect footwork, and it featured – for at least part of the number – a shirtless Gilles.

It was the couple’s dancing though, which brought them a standing ovation from not only judges Carrie Ann Inaba — who said it almost brought her to “tears it was so passionate,” and Bruno Tonioli, but from the entire audience.

Gilles and Cheryl, who took home 29 out of 30 points (only Brit judge Len Goodman gave them a less than perfect score), had a lengthy round of applause from the crowd, which included Gilles’ wife Carole and his former “SATC” boss, Executive Producer Michael Patrick King.

While Gilles once again ran away with the show, Olympian Shawn Johnson proved her determination to remain a contender alongside her partner, Mark Ballas.

The duo’s elegant Viennese waltz was full of ruffles and soft footwork and it had Carrie Ann raving.

“You guys just proved that sometimes, simplicity is the route to success,” she said as the two took home 26 out of 30.

But Lil Kim and Derek Hough, stood their dance floor ground, also achieving 26 out of 30. They too danced the Viennese waltz leaving Carrie Ann to suggest they were “perfectly matched.”

“You finish each other’s movements,” she noted. “You compliment each other so well.”

Falling into fourth was Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani. The two tackled the paso doble, but Melissa’s shaky feet left the judges split.

“There [were] blunders going on,” Len said as they took home just 25 out of 30.