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Dancing With The Stars Season 8
RealityFreakWill:
from etonline.com
Shawn Johnson is not just the youngest contestant to ever put on her dancing shoes for "Dancing with the Stars," she is also the shortest. She tells ET's Thea Andrews all about the complications that is causing!
At 4 feet, 10 inches, Shawn Johnson, who turned 17 in January, was sure that her height would keep her from competing on the hit ABC series, so she says she was honored and surprised when they came to her with an offer.
She has been paired with Mark Ballas, who won the competition with Kristi Yamaguchi -- also an Olympic gold medalist, but says that he had to ask her to wear three-inch heels in order for them to partner up.
"I am used to being barefoot [to perform gymnastics], so it is awkward," she admits.
Shawn, who won her gold medal in Beijing last summer, says that the advantage to her being a gymnast is that she is used to long hours of practice, but she says that is where the advantages stop. Especially since her first dance is the Viennese Waltz.
"Our first dance is so smooth and elegant, and I'm used to really sharp powerful moves so it's a little hard," she tells Thea. "Ballroom dancing and gymnastics are completely different sports."
Look for Shawn and Mark to make their debut when "Dancing with the Stars" premieres on Monday, March 9 at 8 p.m. on ABC, but don't expect to see quite as much of her as the other competitors.
"They've actually said that since I'm younger I have to be a little more covered up than usual, just to make sure it's age appropriate, which I don't have a problem with, I'm used to being in a leotard, that's pretty revealing," she says.
marigold:
An interesting article:
Julianne Hough Excited for 'Crazy' Dancing With Chuck Wicks
There's a new twist to ABC's 'Dancing with the Stars' this season. One of the couples really is a couple -- Julianne Hough and Chuck Wicks. In fact, fans of Hough should send Wicks a thank-you note, because it was after he came onboard as a contestant that she decided to do this season of the popular television show.
"I had already announced that I wasn't going to do this season, and then they asked Chuck to do the show," the two-time 'Dancing' winner explains. "A couple weeks later they called and asked me if I would be willing to dance with him."
Hough admits that at first she was hesitant to partner with her real-life partner, because she wasn't sure how it would work out. But then she realized all of the advantages to working with someone she knows so well.
"I can still write. I can still tour. I can still work on my next record if I dance with him, and I haven't been able to do that with my other partners," says the 20-year-old singer/dancer. "So I thought, 'Why don't we do this and I can take off next fall when my album comes out.' That way, I can promote it which is something I did not have a chance to do with my last record."
To the people who say she and Wicks may have an unfair advantage, Hough has three words: "Are you kidding?" She explains, "We don't have time to get in any extra practice -- we struggle to get in the normal amount of practice."
While she knows that some people will love the idea of boyfriend-girlfriend dance partners and others will hate it, Hough adds, "Chuck and I are gonna have a blast, and that is what the show is all about. Plus it gives us time to spend together. The season is going to fun and crazy and interesting and what everyone sees is what Chuck and I are finding out too."
Wicks and Hough are not the only couple dancing this season. Singer Jewel and husband and rodeo star Ty Murray will also compete; they just won't dance with each other. Jewel will dance with Dmitry Chaplin and Murray will partner with Chelsie Hightower. 'Dancing With the Stars' debuts its eighth season on March 9.
Link: http://www.theboot.com/2009/02/16/julianne-hough-excited-for-crazy-dancing-with-chuck-wicks
marigold:
Ty Murray's Blog:
Dancing king
There are more than 18 million people who watch "Dancing with the Stars," and in the past they've taken athletes from different sports — Jerry Rice, Emmitt Smith, Helio Castroneves, Apolo Anton Ohno — and this season, Lawrence Taylor and Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson are going to be there with me, so it's nice that they look at our sport the same as they would football, racing, gymnastics, skating or any other sport.
To me, the amount of recognition that it's going to bring cowboys and the sport of professional bull riding is going to be tremendous. I think the crew is going to be coming with me to Oklahoma City this weekend.
When you have that many people watching a TV show, they might ask, "Who is this guy? What does he do?" And then they might see a clip from Oklahoma City and say, "Wow, I have to check that out."
First of all, I think it's something that will be a fun challenge that Jewel and I can do together as husband and wife. Not a lot of people get this opportunity, let alone have the chance to go through it with their spouse.
And then on top of that, like I said, the amount of exposure for the cowboy and the PBR is tremendous.
I've talked with some of the other athletes and people that have done it, and I haven't heard anything but great things about the crew and the whole experience, but they claim it is very hard and very challenging, with very rigorous training.
I think that just by the nature of how competitive Jewel and I are that we'll probably have to bear down and take a go at it.
Being that it's a contest that America votes on, it'll also be interesting to see what the cowboy or bull riding fan power is like.
I couldn't be further out of my element. In fact, you couldn't dream up something that would put me further out of my element. But at the same time, it looks to me like it could be about being coached, and about being able to use the same things I did in riding — working at it and training.
I say that cold, because I've never watched the show. I've heard about it, because, I mean, you would have to live in a cave not to have heard about it.
It really does look like it could be the same thing — just in a different environment — and at the end of the day, it's about learning the correct timing, balance and posture from a coach.
Like I said, I heard that it's rigorous and challenging, but not many people get an opportunity like this, especially with their spouse, and, for me, it all begins today.
I have a crew coming to my house this afternoon to scout the ranch, and then I'm going to meet my partner, here at the ranch, tomorrow.
We'll start practicing right away, and then I fly to Los Angeles so we can film some things for the show. Then my partner is going to fly with me to Oklahoma City. I'll practice in the morning and then work the telecast at night.
After Oklahoma City, I'll fly back to the ranch. Both our partners will live in Stephenville, so we'll be able to practice whenever and as much as we need to. They'll have two studios, and Jewel and I will practice separately.
We both hope that if one of us gets voted off, we both get voted off, and if one of us stays, both of us are able to stay.
It's a long, rigorous deal.
If I get canned the first week, she'll be out there for however long she stays on the show; out there in L.A., while I'll be back home running the ranch (or vice versa).
Who knows what to expect. We're just going to go at it like we do everything else.
Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/rodeo/general/news/story?id=3899762
marigold:
An interesting article:
Nancy O’Dell’s First ‘Dancing’ Dance: The Waltz
She’s still a few weeks away from making her “Dancing With the Stars” debut, but Access Hollywood’s Nancy O’Dell has already got her first dance lined up.
Nancy and professional partner Tony Dovolani will take on the waltz for their first dance together – and Nancy is gearing up for the challenge.
“I think the waltz is the toughest one to start with because it is supposed to be very formal and proper and, therefore, feels rigid,” Nancy said. “Plus, there is so much to think about when you are doing it!”
And if enduring the grueling practice sessions each day, besides hosting Access, wasn’t enough – she’s trying to learn a dance she’s never tried before.
“I have never waltzed before because I have never danced before – period!” Nancy added.
Catch Nancy’s dancing debut when the new season of “Dancing With the Stars” bows on March 9 on ABC.
Link: http://www.accesshollywood.com/nancy-odells-first-dancing-dance-the-waltz_article_14484
RealityFreakWill:
ABC released the official promo pictures of the dancing teams for the upcoming season.....
credit with thanks to etonline.com
Denise & Maksim
Chuck & Julianne
Shawn & Mark
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