The student has become the master…

In Tuesday night’s 500th episode Dancing with the stars, the contestants were given a unique challenge: to recreate some of the show’s most memorable dances from the past twenty years. But only Chandler Kinney and professional partner Brandon Armstrong had to mimic a dance originally performed by one of the judges.

The duo recreated the Argentine tango that Derek Hough choreographed for himself and partner Kellie Pickler in season 16. And Hough called their version of the routine better than his.

“Comparison is inevitable,” Hough told the couple. “But I liked this one better. I really do. That’s a big compliment. Your approach was sharp and a little different. You did it silky smooth – the accuracy, the intensity, it was just so smooth.”

That’s high praise considering Hough and Pickler won their seasons. But Hough was on to something with his comments, as the routine earned Kinney and Armstrong their first perfect score of season 33.

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They scored all of the panel’s A’s and caused chaos at the judges’ table when Bruno Tonioli swooned on Hough’s lap (and the pair appeared to kiss until Carrie Ann Inaba joked that it was a “family show”).

With the 30 points, Kinney and Armstrong were at the top of the leader board going into the Instant Dance Challenge. Throughout this season, fans have complained that Kinney was judged more harshly due to her dance background and high level of performance. But she and Armstrong finally earned the praise many felt they deserved all season.

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