‘Dancing With the Stars’ Elimination: Wynonna Says Tearful Goodbye

Wynonna Judd promised the "Dancing with the Stars" judges she would unleash her "inner tigress," but apparently they didn't feel the roar as the low scores given to her performance Monday night (April 1) contributed to her elimination from the competition on Tuesday (April 2).

"I feel like I'm in a movie and it's over too soon," a teary-eyed Wynonna said backstage. "Gosh, what am I going to do now? Tomorrow, am I going to sleep in? I don't have to rehearse. I'm going to go home, I'm gonna work on my record, I'm gonna get back on that stage and sing, which is what God gave me the gift to do."

Wynonna admits she is taking home something far greater than the mirror ball trophy awarded to the winner of the competition.

"I've faced one of my biggest fears," she says. "I've said no to the last six seasons because of this very thing called competition. I'm not a competitive person by nature. Country music fans are so loyal. I've been doing this for 30 years, we're talking generations of Judd Heads. This was terrifying coming into it and the only reason I said yes was because Tony [Dovolani] is the greatest teacher. We'll be friends forever."

Tony, who appeared equally as distraught over the elimination, knows this is only the beginning of a lifelong friendship.

"I love every moment I've spent with Wynonna," he said. "We got along so great right from the word, 'Go.' This is a very, very sad moment but at the same time it's a blessing in disguise because that's how I look at every downfall I've ever had. Everything happens for a reason. The great thing about this is that I've met a person I absolutely adore. She's amazing. She's going to be in my life for the rest of my life and I'm going to be in hers. Her and Cactus [Moser] are probably one of the most inspiring stories I've ever come across. They're near and dear to my heart. There are more important things in life."

Wynonna says she'll continue to dance ... just not in front of 20 million people, although she is willing to return for the finale number in which all of the season's couples perform.

"I'll do it because of him," says the singer, gesturing to Tony.

About her dance partner she says, "He's tough and tender and the funniest person I know besides Cactus. We laugh so hard and he says the most inappropriate things and is so proud of it."

Tony also appears to be one of the few who has been able to break through Wynonna's stubbornness to try things differently, at least sometimes.

"I have some really interesting habits that I've developed along the way of being onstage and doing things my way," she admits. "What's harder in life than when you get stuck in your habits and someone steps into your life and says, 'No, don't do that anymore, do it this way.' You've just gotta let go sometimes in life and let somebody else lead. And that's just not the Judd way."

For future "Dancing with the Stars" contestants, Wynonna wants to impart these words shared by her own "Dancing" mentor Kirstie Alley: "She kept saying, 'Enjoy yourself and don't take it so seriously. Don't get into your head to the point where you can't get out there and enjoy yourself.' Don't overthink it."