This is why Simon Biles is grateful for her 'Dancing With the Stars' elimination

It was another heart-stopping Dancing With the Stars episode on Monday — and believe it or not, it wasn't just because of Simone Biles' shocking elimination, which set off some angry Twitter venting. 

This week, contestants had to learn two dances: a judge's challenge focused on each dancer's particular weakness, and an unlearned dance, aka a dance style the contestant had never performed. Everyone stepped up in a real way, and the resulting dances showed just how much their efforts paid off.  

David Ross, who somehow managed to score a spot in the semifinals despite sitting squarely in leaderboard's bottom spot, showed vast improvement in both of his dances. 

Meanwhile, Normani Kordei, the standout performer of DWTS' 24th season, floored the judges and scored a perfect 40/40 with her jazz number to What a Wonderful World.

But let's get back to the sensational elimination making headlines everywhere. The show was already running over by the time that fateful end-of-night moment came around, so audience members, judges and contestants had less time to react than usual. It only added to the unfairness of the reveal, when we learned Biles — the most decorated American gymnast of all time who had just nabbed her first perfect scores of the season — was kicked off before the finals. 

Absolutely no one saw it coming. Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough and Bruno Tonioli all stood up in amazement, and Len Goodman actually covered his face with his hands. Though there'd been a similar elimination a few weeks earlier — when Heather Morris was booted after receiving the season's first perfect score — this one seemed to hit everyone harder, especially since Biles' dancing had been nearly flawless all season long. 

Despite the shocking and unceremonious ending to her DWTS run, Biles remain poised and expressed gratitude for her time on the show.

"I'm just thankful to be at this competition," Biles said after her name was announced, according to People. "I feel like I've learned a lot about myself. I've matured. And I can't wait to go home and I'll be back next week at the finale." 

Her reaction and level-headed behavior was typical of the composed Olympic athlete. Biles made similar comments to the press following the show's conclusion, People reported. "I think today I experienced what [the judges] wanted," Biles said. "It felt refreshing. I did feel free, so I can't ask any more. We went out with a bang."

Biles also said she looked forward to taking a break after next week's DWTS finale. After all, she's "been going nonstop since the Olympics," so it's understandable she'd want to take time off and enjoy being a 20-year-old.

As far as who's left competing in the finals, it's tempting to say Kordei has got the edge, but after Monday night's eliminations, it's clear absolutely anything could happen. 

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