Anyone who has ever met me or seen my Facebook or blog knows that I love music and dancing. So it’s not surprising that I would love dance shows. I have two favorites: So You Think You Can Dance? and Dancing with the Stars. They are great shows for different reasons, but both provide hours of enjoyment for a dancing enthusiast like me.
As of this season, 261 celebrities will have competed on Dancing with the Stars, and out of that, only seven have withdrawn for various reasons. There have also been forty-three professionals who have signed on to teach these celebs the ins and outs of the ballroom. Season twenty-three is airing now, and I think it’s a perfect time to take a look back at my favorite and not-so-favorite celebrities who have graced the dance floor since 2006. I hope you’ll chime in with your own picks and pans!
I especially give kudos to the female celebrities that stepped outside their comfort zones and into feathers and tight costumes.
My Top 6 Female Celebs
Jennifer Grey
Grey was a contestant on season eleven in 2010 and partnered with Derek Hough. I must say that at first I liked her because she was the co-star of one of my favorite movies, Dirty Dancing. She played opposite Patrick Swayze in the movie and I was so excited to see how well she did. She came out very strong at first, frequently topping the leaderboard. However, injuries, stress, and exhaustion took their toll, and for a couple of weeks she fell behind. In week seven, however, she improved and she won the competition. One of my favorite dances was her freestyle during the finale, where she used music and dance moves from the movie.
As of this season, 261 celebrities will have competed on Dancing with the Stars, and out of that, only seven have withdrawn for various reasons. There have also been forty-three professionals who have signed on to teach these celebs the ins and outs of the ballroom. Season twenty-three is airing now, and I think it’s a perfect time to take a look back at my favorite and not-so-favorite celebrities who have graced the dance floor since 2006. I hope you’ll chime in with your own picks and pans!
I especially give kudos to the female celebrities that stepped outside their comfort zones and into feathers and tight costumes.
My Top 6 Female Celebs
Jennifer Grey
Grey was a contestant on season eleven in 2010 and partnered with Derek Hough. I must say that at first I liked her because she was the co-star of one of my favorite movies, Dirty Dancing. She played opposite Patrick Swayze in the movie and I was so excited to see how well she did. She came out very strong at first, frequently topping the leaderboard. However, injuries, stress, and exhaustion took their toll, and for a couple of weeks she fell behind. In week seven, however, she improved and she won the competition. One of my favorite dances was her freestyle during the finale, where she used music and dance moves from the movie.
Shawn Johnson
In February 2009, Johnson competed in season eight, partnered with season six winner, professional dancer Mark Ballas. In the finale Johnson beat Gilles Marini by less than 1%. She is the youngest champion in show's history, at age 17 years and 120 days, beating out Bindi Irwin (season twenty-one) for the title by three days. On September 24, 2012, Johnson again became a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, on the all-star edition (season fifteen). She was partnered this time with three-time champion Derek Hough. The team of Johnson and Hough came in second to Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani. In week three, judge Bruno Tonioli called Johnson and Derek Hough "The Incredibles" after their performance on stage, stating that it was, "The best routine I have seen in fifteen seasons in America [of Dancing with the Stars] and nine in the UK [with Strictly Come Dancing].” I loved Shawn Johnson’s personality and athleticism, and the way her gymnastics training allowed her to do things that most constants could not do.
In February 2009, Johnson competed in season eight, partnered with season six winner, professional dancer Mark Ballas. In the finale Johnson beat Gilles Marini by less than 1%. She is the youngest champion in show's history, at age 17 years and 120 days, beating out Bindi Irwin (season twenty-one) for the title by three days. On September 24, 2012, Johnson again became a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, on the all-star edition (season fifteen). She was partnered this time with three-time champion Derek Hough. The team of Johnson and Hough came in second to Melissa Rycroft and Tony Dovolani. In week three, judge Bruno Tonioli called Johnson and Derek Hough "The Incredibles" after their performance on stage, stating that it was, "The best routine I have seen in fifteen seasons in America [of Dancing with the Stars] and nine in the UK [with Strictly Come Dancing].” I loved Shawn Johnson’s personality and athleticism, and the way her gymnastics training allowed her to do things that most constants could not do.
Bindi Irwin
Irwin was a competitor in season twenty-one, paired with five-time champion Derek Hough. She was the second youngest to win the show, missing the title by 3 days. I was not sure what to expect with Bindi since my only knowledge of her was as a little girl on TV shows with her dad, Steve Irwin. I remember watching her dad all the time and was sad when he died, leaving Bindi and her brother at very young ages. What I saw when she performed was a lightness and joy that almost seemed fake at first, but as the weeks passed I saw how real she was. The tribute to her father brought me to tears.
Irwin was a competitor in season twenty-one, paired with five-time champion Derek Hough. She was the second youngest to win the show, missing the title by 3 days. I was not sure what to expect with Bindi since my only knowledge of her was as a little girl on TV shows with her dad, Steve Irwin. I remember watching her dad all the time and was sad when he died, leaving Bindi and her brother at very young ages. What I saw when she performed was a lightness and joy that almost seemed fake at first, but as the weeks passed I saw how real she was. The tribute to her father brought me to tears.
Willow Shields
Shields was announced as one of the celebrities to compete on season twenty in 2015 along with professional partner Mark Ballas. At age 14, she is the youngest competitor to ever appear on the show. Many of you know her as Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games. She was full of energy, and teaming her up with a professional like Mark who likes to push the envelope with crazy creative choreography was a perfect pairing. What shocked me and the world was that the couple was eliminated in the seventh week of competition, even though her scores from the judges were consistently high. She did a cool Argentine Tango, and her tribute to The Hunger Games was amazing. For the youngest dancer, she certainly held her own and showed maturity and grace.
Shields was announced as one of the celebrities to compete on season twenty in 2015 along with professional partner Mark Ballas. At age 14, she is the youngest competitor to ever appear on the show. Many of you know her as Primrose Everdeen from The Hunger Games. She was full of energy, and teaming her up with a professional like Mark who likes to push the envelope with crazy creative choreography was a perfect pairing. What shocked me and the world was that the couple was eliminated in the seventh week of competition, even though her scores from the judges were consistently high. She did a cool Argentine Tango, and her tribute to The Hunger Games was amazing. For the youngest dancer, she certainly held her own and showed maturity and grace.
Sadie RobertsonRobertson was on season nineteen in 2014. She paired with professional dancer Mark Ballas and finished the competition in second place behind Alfonso Ribeiro. Sadie brought innocence and fun to the show. Her beliefs shined through in her dance moves along with her respect for her family and faith in her costume selections. Yes, I appreciated her faith, but her dancing was divine as well. She proved that you do not have to take it all off to ballroom!
Candace Cameron BureIn 2014, Bure was selected to compete on season eighteen with Mark Ballas. The couple made it to the finals and ultimately ended in third place behind Amy Purdy and Meryl Davis who took second and first place, respectively. I have loved her since Full House and loved watching her on the show. She, like Sadie, made a point of sharing her faith and not letting the sexiness of the show negatively affect her or her performance.
Special Mention
Most Power and Most Beautiful Award
My award for the woman with the most power and beauty goes to Mel B., who was a participant in season five, which aired in September 2007. She was partnered with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and both were widely praised by the judges. They came in second place in the competition after being beaten out by Helio Castroneves. I loved the way Mel B. mixed power and beauty in her dance. The Paso Doble she performed is a prime example. I was glad to see her go all the way to the finale. I don't think we could go wrong with either of them winning. Way to go Mel! From Scary Spice to powerful, beautiful, and graceful dancer!
Most Power and Most Beautiful Award
My award for the woman with the most power and beauty goes to Mel B., who was a participant in season five, which aired in September 2007. She was partnered with Maksim Chmerkovskiy, and both were widely praised by the judges. They came in second place in the competition after being beaten out by Helio Castroneves. I loved the way Mel B. mixed power and beauty in her dance. The Paso Doble she performed is a prime example. I was glad to see her go all the way to the finale. I don't think we could go wrong with either of them winning. Way to go Mel! From Scary Spice to powerful, beautiful, and graceful dancer!
Hottest Dance Ever Award
Jana Kramer is competing in the current season with partner Gleb Savchenko. Their Tango to "Hands to Myself" by Selena Gomez gets my award for the hottest dance ever on the show! I mean, they start in bed and end in the shower! I give her mega props for dancing in water in heels!
Jana Kramer is competing in the current season with partner Gleb Savchenko. Their Tango to "Hands to Myself" by Selena Gomez gets my award for the hottest dance ever on the show! I mean, they start in bed and end in the shower! I give her mega props for dancing in water in heels!
Luckiest Contestant
My award for the luckiest contestant goes to Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie. Well, Laura is all grown up! She may not have won the show, but she did get to do something many women dream of, but few will see realized. She danced with the Chmerkovskiy brothers, Maks and Val in a trio samba!
My award for the luckiest contestant goes to Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on Little House on the Prairie. Well, Laura is all grown up! She may not have won the show, but she did get to do something many women dream of, but few will see realized. She danced with the Chmerkovskiy brothers, Maks and Val in a trio samba!
Honorable Mentions
Jane Seymour
Marlee Matlin
Melissa Rycroft
Bethany Mota
Terra Jolé
Leah Thompson
Rumor Willis
Missed the Mark
A few ladies who, while I appreciate that they took the leap into the dancing world, missed the mark!
Kate Gosselin
I am not one to speak poorly of people or put them down, but based on dancing talent alone, Kate takes the prize for the least successful female dancer of all time. I praise her for trying, and I know that editing can make things appear misleading, but she came off as whiny and uncooperative during the show. I hope life has gotten better for her, and that she continues to try new things.
Jane Seymour
Marlee Matlin
Melissa Rycroft
Bethany Mota
Terra Jolé
Leah Thompson
Rumor Willis
Missed the Mark
A few ladies who, while I appreciate that they took the leap into the dancing world, missed the mark!
Kate Gosselin
I am not one to speak poorly of people or put them down, but based on dancing talent alone, Kate takes the prize for the least successful female dancer of all time. I praise her for trying, and I know that editing can make things appear misleading, but she came off as whiny and uncooperative during the show. I hope life has gotten better for her, and that she continues to try new things.
Kimberly "Kim" Kardashian West
Most people would think that since she appeared in Playboy Kim Kardashian West would be sexy and able to show-off sensual dance moves. I was surprised to see that she seemed stiff and uncomfortable in her own skin. I guess it just goes to show that no matter how you look on the outside, everyone has their own insecurities on the inside.
Most people would think that since she appeared in Playboy Kim Kardashian West would be sexy and able to show-off sensual dance moves. I was surprised to see that she seemed stiff and uncomfortable in her own skin. I guess it just goes to show that no matter how you look on the outside, everyone has their own insecurities on the inside.
Cloris Leachman
One of the oldest contestants to ever compete, it was impressive that Cloris Leachman kept up, though she came up short on technique.
One of the oldest contestants to ever compete, it was impressive that Cloris Leachman kept up, though she came up short on technique.
Don't worry ladies, the men are next!