As we are now within days of the Dancing with the Stars season 12 premiere, it’s time for the news barrage to get going. ABC does not disappoint, posting five new rehearsal videos. The interview circuit does not disappoint either, bringing us news and views from former and present Mirror Ball contenders.
Kelly Osbourne Picks Her Favorite
It’s not the most obvious choice, but Kelly Osbourne told People that reality star Kendra Wilkinson was her favorite to win season 12 of Dancing with the Stars. Since Kelly danced with Kendra’s current partner, Louis Van Amstel, back in season 9, she does have some insight into a good partner for the pro.
It doesn’t sound like Kelly is a close friend of Kendra’s, but they have met. “The few times I’ve hung out with [Kendra] we’ve always had a really good time,” she said. Kelly does think that good-time Kendra is an excellent match for Louis as well, adding: “They are going to have fun together because, a lot of people don’t know this, but Louis has a bit of a dirty mouth and is quite dirty minded as well, so I think they are going to be perfect together.”
Does Kendra want to be perfect with a dirty-minded partner? Hard to say, but I’m sure any endorsement is welcome. Kelly Osbourne’s vocal support of Bristol Palin in season 11 seems to have matched the results pretty well — despite dance struggles, Bristol made it to the finals. Will Kendra be as lucky?
More Rehearsals to Watch!
Thanks to new videos released by ABC, we can now watch the preparations of all 11 celebrity contestants dancing this season. Ralph Macchio, Mike Catherwood, Romeo, Petra Nemcova and Hines Ward appear in the new videos, joining Kirstie Alley, Kendra Wilkinson, Wendy Williams, Sugar Ray Leonard, Chris Jericho and Chelsea Kane.
Watch the earlier videos here!
Like all such videos, these new entries give us a glimpse into the practice studios. Serious dancing, training struggles and a fair amount of goofiness are all in evidence.
Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff
Karate Kid references! How very unexpected! Or not. Ralph and Karina seem to be enjoying themselves, but there’s not much actual dancing going on.
Mike Catherwood and Lacey Schwimmer
Mike may be over-thinking this. But I did enjoy his mini-lecture on highlighting the sexy parts. Also his possibly sad final line: “My mom always says, ‘Just smile. That’s the only thing you’ve got.'”
Romeo and Chelsie Hightower
Romeo certainly loves the camera, doesn’t he? Not sure Chelsie will continue to love him if he doesn’t get serious soon. After all, she needs some success this season to soften the memory of Michael Bolton.
Petra Nemcova and Dmitry Chaplin
Hopefully she’ll look better than a glamorous zombie. It’s also slightly scary (and extremely annoying) that Petra may look even prettier without lots of makeup than with it.
Hines Ward and Kym Johnson
Wow. The football player can dance. Who knew?
Which star seems the most promising from the videos? Do you have a favorite yet? Who seems in danger of early elimination? Leave your opinions and comments below!
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(Image and videos courtesy of ABC)
Senior Writer, BuddyTV
Laurel grew up in Mamaroneck, NY, Grosse Pointe, MI and Bellevue WA. She then went on to live in places like Boston, Tucson, Houston, Wales, Tanzania, Prince Edward Island and New York City before heading back to Seattle. Ever since early childhood, when she became addicted to The Muppet Show, Laurel has watched far too much TV. Current favorites include Chuck, Modern Family, Supernatural, Mad Men and Community. Laurel received a BA in Astrophysics (yes, that is possible) from Colgate University and a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies and History of Science from Columbia University before she realized that television is much better than studying.
