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the Week 1 routine. After week 1, you have 3 days to teach her the routine and she has to dance it for a “wide.” (Director needs for camera/lights choreography) Then you have two more days before showtime. In those two days you’re going through timely dress rehearsals (with/without the band) which are quite stressful on the celebrity, and therefore stressful on us. This then occurs weekly, until it gets even more stressful.
What are some of the highlights of dancing with a celebrity partner?
You build a relationship. I would get eliminated week 3 all over again for the friendship that I have with Sherri Shepherd. You grow so much as a teacher and as a person. These celebrities are grown people who are accomplished individuals and they are frightened to death. I’m not going to speak for every case, but in Sherri’s case I had a huge responsibility in front of me. She trusted me, she respected, and she fought for me. I’ve been a teammate my entire life, and I haven’t experienced that kind of camaraderie and that honesty from too many people. I’d fight for her in any alley, anytime. That relationship and the journey we shared, as it should be in every partnership, are the highlights.
What are some of the struggles?
Every partnership was different therefore had different struggles. I’ve only had two partners on DWTS and I’ve already described the latter.
What is the biggest thing you had to get used to in transitioning from DanceSport to DWTS?
Watching your weight. Watching what you eat and at what time. Taking care of your fitness. When you compete you’re dancing every day and therefore doing probably the best cardio on earth. Carbs ands sweets— most of the time I ate those when I was competing. Now,
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it’s a constant conscious struggle of resisting those two things that I love oh so dearly.
How different is it to dance with a celebrity as opposed to a DanceSport partner? (Laughing) It’s very different. So far I haven’t had anyone that was able to even remotely simulate the type of dancing I had with my DanceSport partner, Daria Chesnokovano, even other pros on the show. Granted, she is one of the best female dancers in the world, in ANY category, period. The dancing is different, but I’m not comparing. As mentioned earlier, every person I come in contact with, whether it’s in life or on the dance floor has a unique relationship which takes on a life of its own. I’m always 100% committed to what I’m doing and who I’m doing it with, so it’s always memorable.
What do you enjoy most about DWTS?
The stage. The act. The audience. A true performer yearns for a stage to showcase his craft, and an audience to share it with. The more people you can share your work with, the more inspired and fulfilled you become as an artist. Therefore, you enjoy the impact that you have on people. Tonja Garamella (one of my teachers and a close friend) always told me “Touch, Move, and Inspire.” Art is supposed to bring us closer to God. Well, God for me exists in every person that I touch, move, and inspire.
What advice would you give to someone who may end up as a celebrity contestant on the show? To trust me. I’ve been doing this for a while.
Any other thoughts, comments?
Thank you. Thank you to American Dancer Magazine for this interview. Thank you to everyone willing to read it. And most importantly thank you to all the people that helped me be in the position to be giving interviews.
2012 September - October 31