Menounos gets the boot on 'Dancing'

LOS ANGELES, May 16 (UPI) -- Maria Menounos and Derek Hough were eliminated from Tuesday night's "Dancing with the Stars" semifinals in Los Angeles.

"Oh, my gosh. I learned so many things. I learned how strong I was. I learned to persevere," the host of TV's "Extra" program said upon learning her fate.

"It's been an amazing season," Hough said. "I've loved, loved, loved dancing with this woman. She's been an incredible person, not just on the dance floor, but just as a person. She's not just a champion of dancing, but a champion of life. Really, seriously."

Going into next week's finals with their professional dance partners are Donald Driver, an NFL wide receiver and author, Katherine Jenkins, a classical opera singer, and William Levy, a telenovela star.