• Choreographer Justin Peck worked with A-list actors like Julia Roberts to create a series of short dance films that turn everyday experience into moments of musical magic.
Believe it or not, we have just one week left in this “Athletes-only” edition of Dancing with the Stars, and Olympic bronze medalist (and self-proclaimed “America’s sweetheart”) Adam Rippon is crushing it.
I’ve been pulling for Adam from day one and he hasn’t disappointed.
Charming, self-deprecating and hard-working as hell, Rippon has been everything the TV show’s producers could have wanted.
Performing a contemporary dance last night to “O” by Coldplay (which Adam knows uber-well since he skated to it at the Winter Olympics), Team Rippon came to slay, and slay they did.
Gorgeous choreography (I’m glad Carrie Ann pointed out later how deceptively challenging the steps were), complete commitment and detailed execution made the bird-inspired dance take flight.
And the judges agreed.
DWTS season 24 runner-up David Ross: “By far my favorite dance of the night.”
Judge Len Goodman: “It had great control mixed with flair. It’s the best dance I’ve seen tonight. Well done.”
Judge Bruno Tonioli: “You were like two birds of paradise - mesmerizing and enchanting. It’s impossible to tell who is the professional. This is a masterpiece of a dance.”
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba: “I love that you push yourself that hard. I just wanted to thank you. This is why artists create - to have moments like this. Where it’s just pure perfection.”
Team Adam received the evening’s high-score 39-of-40, which he dedicated to his mom, saying afterward: “The only thing that I’m thankful for is that I’m a beautiful crier.”
From where I stand, the mirror-ball trophy is Adam’s to lose. He’ll face off in the finals next week against fellow-figure skater Tonya Harding, and Washington Redskins defensive back Josh Norman.
Watch Adam and Jenna’s contemporary dance below:
Last night also featured a salsa “ballroom battle” between woofy Olympic luger Chris Mazdzer and the NFL’s Josh Norman.
Both did great - you can watch below to see who won to compete next week - but how could I pass up a chance to gaze again upon Mazdzer’s furry goodness?
ABC revealed the full cast of the upcoming "all-athletes" edition of Dancing with the Stars this morning on Good Morning America.
We knew Olympic bronze medalist Adam Rippon was going to be part of the season (looking forward to his antics), but the surprise this morning is that woofy Chris Mazdzer of the U.S. Olympic luge team will be cha-cha-ing his way into living rooms in the next few weeks.
Here's the full cast list for DWTS "All-Athletes" edition:
• Adam Rippon (Olympic figure skater) with Jenna Johnson
• Arike Ogunbowale (Women’s basketball player) with Gleb Savchenko
• Chris Mazdzer (Olympic luger) with Witney Carson
• Jamie Anderson (professional snowboarder) with Artem Chigvintsev
• Jennie Finch Daigle (Olympic softball player) with Keo Motsepe
• Johnny Damon (Former MLB star) with Emma Slater
• Josh Norman (NFL star) with Sharna Burgess
• Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Former NBA star) with Lindsay Arnold
• Mirai Nagasu (Olympic figure skater) with Alan Bersten
• Tonya Harding (Former Olympic figure skater) with Sasha Farber
In case you needed reminding why I'm excited about Chris Mazdzer's participation... :)
After woofy US Olympian Chris Mazdzer won a silver medal this weekend making him the first American luger to win a medal in any winter games, it seems like a good time to make the 29-year-old our Monday Mancrush.
