And The Mirrorball Goes To...

With the most votes cast in the show's history and the first contestant to score a perfect 90 from judges, Kristi Yamaguchi became the first woman Tuesday to win "Dancing with the Stars" since the show's debut season.

NFL star Jason Taylor, who scored his first perfect 30 Tuesday night, came in second. And Cristian De La Fuente, the soap star whose scores rose after he injured his arm, was third.

The mirror ball trophy wasn't exactly an Olympic gold medal, which Yamaguchi won in 1992 in women's singles skating, but she called the win a "dream experience." The 36-year-old said winning was the "icing on the cake" of learning a new skill.

Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas, who turns 22 Saturday and is marking his second season as a professional dancer on the show, were called the most consistent competitors in the show's history. The pair failed to be top scorers at the judges table only twice in the 10 week season.

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Will DWTS' Crown A Woman Tonight?

Last night, Kristi, Cristián, and Jason (literally) kicked things off with a group cha-cha, an excellent new development that I hope will be repeated in future seasons with different dances. I loved that each couple had to cha-cha to the same music, and that for the final segment, when Jason, Kristi, and Cristián performed the same steps side by side, no one was trying to jut out in front of the others. That sequence (at first I typed ''sequins''!) put it all in perspective: Jason was a bit slow, Kristi appeared to be on a smaller geographic scale than everyone else on the floor (I forget that she's that tiny), and Cristián moved with pronounced rhythm and an expression as eager as DANCMSTR's when contemplating the prospect of lounging at South Beach in a thong with Jason. Despite the (fake) rivalry among the finalists, they obviously really get along — otherwise, Yama-hoochie might've ended up on the floor with a ruptured everything after the Jason-Cristián figure-skating lift at the very end of the dance.

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Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas Freestyle Dance

Kristi Yamaguchi Blog Update

Hey guys!

We’re in the finals! Thank you to everyone who’s been supporting and voting for us the past two months! I promise we won’t let you down next week!

I was so sad to see Marissa go. We’ve grown so close. We spent ten weeks together and getting to know each other, exchanging stories, girlfriend things and motherhood things with her upcoming new role as a mom. I think we were both so thankful to be here still and I’m definitely going to miss her. Watching the montage video of her and seeing everything week by week, what’s gone on, it just really hit home. I’m really glad we became such good friends here and I can’t wait for her to become a mom this summer! I’m so proud of her and it is the greatest thing in the world. She’s going to be a great mom! She’s so nurturing and loving.

I couldn’t believe we got another encore last night with our tango. It felt great going out there again. Mark said it felt smooth. It was one of our favorite ballroom dances and we felt honored to be able to do it again. I think the tension wasn’t the nervous tension like it was Monday night. It just flowed out there on the floor.

Being called safe first was awesome! I’ve been very spoiled and lucky so far to be declared safe early on, but this one doesn’t even compare to the others! I was just excited because it means we get to go to the finals and do the freestyle round, which I’m thrilled about.


We’ve got some new moves to work on for next week. In addition to the freestyle, we have the cha cha and then a repeat dance – which is going to be a surprise! I think some sore muscles are in the near future!

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Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas- Tango

Dancing With The Stars Week 9 Results

Since the bottom two couples weren't revealed last week, it was difficult to predict who would make it to the final round. I never would have imagined that Mario and Shannon would be absent from the final four. Nevertheless, it was time to send one last couple home.

We had to wait until the last minutes of the results show learn the celebrities' fates, but we had plenty of entertainment to hold us over. The Junior Champions finalists took over the dance floor, and Omarion performed in a high-energy tribute to the Thriller album.

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Dancing With The Stars: The Final Four

Monday night, "Dancing with the Stars" launched its semi-final night of competition with some strict rules: No lifts were allowed and the dancers chose their dances randomly, by drawing them out of a giant disco ball. The dances were dances that they had done before, but with new music and new choreography -- so there was a lot of work involved.

"We are expecting you to up your game," declared head judge LEN GOODMAN. "Good dancing is not enough. Tonight, we want to see great dancing."

JASON TAYLOR and EDYTA SLIWINSKA were up first with the foxtrot. Len praised the performance, saying, "I have got to say this to you, you are one of the Dolphins and, like a dolphin glides through the sea, that is how you glided around this ballroom. I loved every part of it. The whole thing was great."

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Dancing With The Stars Week 8 Results

It was the 100th episode of "Dancing with the Stars"—but the last for Mario.
The 21-year-old R&B singer and his professional partner, Karina Smirnoff, were eliminated during Tuesday's results show, which also served as a special celebration of the ABC dancing competition's 100th episode.

Mario and Smirnoff performed a Viennese waltz and a jive during Monday's performance show, earning 53 out of 60 points. The judges crowned Mario "a new prince" following his ballroom dance but called his feet "bloody ugly" after his Latin dance. Mario came in third place following the judges' scores Monday.

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Dancing With The Stars Week 7 Results

Shannon Elizabeth won't have to shed any more tears over "Dancing With the Stars."

The 34-year-old actress, who cried at the judges' harsh remarks last week, was eliminated Tuesday from the ABC dance-off.

"The show has been amazing. I've learned a lot," she said as her professional partner, Derek Hough, stood by her side. "I've made a friend for life, and hopefully a bunch of friends for life, and I'll be here to support everyone as much as I can."

Hough said he "couldn't have asked for more" from a partner.

"She really is a big dork," he said, "but I love that."

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Dancing With The Stars: Week 7

The guys and gals on Dancing With The Stars really had their work cut out for them this week. Each couple had not one, but two, dances to learn this week: a ballroom dance and a Latin dance. With only three weeks left before the mirror ball trophy is awarded, the pressure of perfection is intense.

Marissa & Tony kicked the show off with en pointe tango that was very classy and cute. It was easily their best dance of the season and the judges thought so as well. They received triple nines for their dramatic tango. Their Latin dance was a rumba and I found it to be very boring. Tony's '70s outfit and the music they danced to didn't help matters either. The judges thought it was a beautiful sweet dance though Len did tell her there was not enough hip action and told them their routine was a bit too careful. They only received a 25 on their rumba bringing their total score of the night to a 52 out of 60.

Cristian & Cheryl's dance for the ballroom round was a Viennese waltz. Dancing to "I'll Make Love To You", I thought their routine was very nice and I loved Cheryl's drop at the end. Bruno told them the dance was a pleasure to watch but Len and Carrie Ann found it lacking. They received a 25 for their Viennese Waltz. Their next dance was a samba and it began really well. However, halfway through Cristian grabbed his left forearm and began rubbing it while she kept on dancing. It only got worse from there. He tried to continue dancing but then missed her grab and then missed her hold at the end causing both of them to fall on the floor. When Tom asked him what was wrong, Cristian told him he believed he pulled a muscle in his arm. He looked to be in a lot of pain and Tom cut to commercial. After a long commercial break, Cristian was in front of the judges with an ice pack on his arm next to Cheryl. The judges thought he was brave for trying to continue on but had to score them based on what they saw. They received triple sevens and wound up with a 46 out of 60 on the night. Cristian then went to the hospital where we later learned from Tom he had a severe muscle cramp. Whew! So, hopefully Cristian will be back next week.

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Kristi Yamaguchi & Mark Ballas' Top Tango

Dancing With The Stars- Week 3 results

Tonight’s Dancing with the Stars may not have been fooling when they sent Steve “The Gutte” Guttenberg packing, but they did pull a fast one on viewers. Did they fool you?

As part of the results show hijinx, Dancing ran an April Fool’s segment highlighting the “stress-relieving activities” that the celebrity dancers supposedly like to enjoy on their down-time.

During this taped segment, Jason Taylor claimed to be an ardent ship-in-a-bottle builder. “It can be a little tricky at times, but when you finish one there’s a real sense of accomplishment,” he said. Marlee Matlin professed to work as a volunteer police officer for the narcotics squad. Shannon Elizabeth claimed to be the president of the MacGyver fan club. Kristi Yamaguchi supposedly competes not only on the ice, but in hot dog eating contests. “So far I’ve won the regional and sectional hot dog eating contests – now I’m preparing for the nationals,” she boasted. Priscilla Presley upheld that she works for a psychic hotline. For Marissa Jaret Winokur, apparently, life’s all about surfing. “For me, catching that big wave is what life is all about,” she said. Steve Guttenberg declared his hobby to be freestyle rapping, with a “street name” of The Guttemeister General. Cristian de la Fuente, the big softie, claimed to be totally devoted to his beloved pet otter.

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Dancing With The Stars- Week 3

Despite the departure of PENN JILLETTE and MONICA SELES last week, host TOM BERGERON never announced which of the other "Dancing with the Stars" couples had been low scorers and who might be in jeopardy. So the nervous energy was high when the competitors took to the ballroom floor for Monday night's competition, dancing either the jive or the tango, and the battle for the disco-ball trophy is on!

Getting the joint jumping with the jive were MARLEE MATLIN and FABIAN SANCHEZ. Head judge LEN GOODMAN praised, "You never cease to amaze me. The jive is a difficult dance. To dance it without hearing, I think [you] did a great job." BRUNO TONIOLI agreed, saying, "You are an incredible performer. You connect with the audience. You lost the timing a few times, but a good job." CARRIE ANN INABA stated, "You have good chemistry. What I noticed this time is your hands. Watch your hands. They are a little pancake-y." The couple scored 21 out of 30 points.

STEVE GUTTENBERG and ANNA TREBUNSKAYA, who had been sick with a virus all week, took to the floor to tango. For Carrie Ann, it was their best dance so far: "You were completely determined. It was sharp and snappy, but it could use more dynamics," she opined. Len felt, "You captured the flavor of the dance. A much improved performance." Bruno cryptically commented, "Manly and madly did the trick for you." Steve and Anna were awarded 21 points.

Next to jive were CRISTIAN DE LA FUENTE and two-time "DWTS" champ CHERYL BURKE. Bruno exclaimed, "Are you on rocket fuel tonight? You are definitely having a good time. That is what this show is all about. Deliver you did. Your best yet." Len agreed it was their best dance so far, and Carrie Ann commented, "I really think you have a great shot at this. You improve every week by miles -- but watch your arm." Cristian and Cheryl earned 25 out of 30 points.

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Shimmy Exclusive Interview

Mark Ballas



Shimmy: How is it working with Kristi Yamaguchi on the
new season of Dancing With The Stars?

Mark Ballas: It is so much fun, Kristi is a pleasure to teach and
work with. She is so determined and focused and I
couldn't ask for more than that.

Shimmy: In skating she is known as a "technician", every step is as perfect as possible. How is she doing on the floor?

Mark Ballas: She is working extremely hard, but enjoying every step
of the way, and I'm really proud of her.

Shimmy: What is the best thing about your partnership
with her?



Mark Ballas: We get along really well, and we have such a great
time in our training sessions, we have similar personalities and the same work ethic.

Shimmy: What inspires you?

Mark Ballas: My family, the support they've given me continuously
pushes me to achieve my dreams.

Shimmy: Who are some of your favorite dancers, teachers &
choreographers?

Mark Ballas: I've trained with so many, but i would have to say the
two teachers I've always looked up to the most are my parents Corky and Shirley Ballas

Shimmy: What dance do you enjoy most of all?

Mark Ballas: I love the jive and the Foxtrot.

Shimmy: Do you have any other projects in the works?



Mark Ballas: I play Lead Guitar and Sing Lead Vocal along side
Derek Hough in my Rock/Blues band called Almost Amy. We are getting ready to start recording our debut
album soon.

Shimmy: Tell me something about yourself that would surprise me.

Mark Ballas: I think people would be surprised to know that I get
shy to dance in clubs.

Shimmy: If you could trade places with anyone (not a
dancer) for one day who would it be and why?


Mark Ballas: John Mayer because his music is so inspiring to me

Shimmy: 3 things you cannot live without?

Mark Ballas: Acoustic Guitar, I pod, Oreo Cookies and milk.

Shimmy: If I borrowed your ipod for an hour what would I
hear?

Mark Ballas: Anything and everything, even though I play in a
Blues/Rock/Pop band I have a wide selection of music that I enjoy, so I'm
sure you'd find something you like.
John Mayer
Michael Jackson
Prince
Three Days Grace
Eva Cassidy
Buddy Holly
Marvin Gaye

Shimmy: What is the best advice that you could give to
young dancers?

Mark Ballas: Master your craft, never hold back, never back down.
Love your gift and cherish every minute

Shimmy: What would you like to tell your fans?

Mark Ballas: I love you guys more than ever. You're the best.
and I couldn't do what I do with out you.



Photos: Mark Ballas Official Myspace

Shimmy Video Pick

Dancing With The Stars: Week 2

It’s the first chance for all 12 contestants to dance together tonight, on Mambo and Quickstep Night!

First up are Steve & Ann, dancing the mambo. During rehearsal, Anna, who worries that she’s too hard on Steve, brings in her mother — Irina Trebunskaya — for help. Steve works up “a little bit of rhythm and a little bit of love,” calling it a “Macho Mambo Combo.” But the judges aren’t feeling the love. Len compares Steve’s dancing to his own cooking skills (can you say “spotted dick” on TV?!), and says Steve’s dance “just didn’t really work.” Bruno complains that Steve put all of his energy into facial expressions and forgot his body. Carrie Ann says, “It wasn’t your best, but you guys look cute.” They score a 16, bringing their overall score to a 34 out of 60.

Next up are Cristian & Cheryl, dancing a quickstep. In rehearsal, Cheryl brings in a military uniform to help Cristian concentrate on posture. Carrie Ann calls Cristian “a whole new person.” Len says the dance “had a little bit of wildness about it.” Bruno says he liked the gangster persona and calls the performance “good.” Cristian & Cheryl score a 20, giving them a combined score of 41 out of 60.

Next to take the stage is Monica, with her partner, Jonathan. The couple is planning to dance a mambo, and Monica worries about her lack of ability to put on a sexy facial expression. Monica has to travel to Japan for a prior engagement, and drags Jonathan along with her, so they can practice long into the night. Bruno criticizes that Monica “didn’t connect with the music.” Len says, “You tried your hardest but there are so many technical problems at the moment.” Carrie Ann, Monica’s sole trumpeter, says, “You came out and you attacked it!” Monica & Jonathan score a 15, bringing their total to 30 out of 60.

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Dancing With The Stars- The Women

You choose which awe-inspiring line to sum up the women's fairly solid week 1 performances on tonight's Dancing With the Stars. In the immortal teleprompted words of Samantha Harris, ''It's ladies' night and the feeling's right!'' Ugh. In the single word that Priscilla Presley mouthed during the group pan for the second night running, ''Woo.'' Eh. I'm going with ''Woo.'' It says everything and yet nothing at all. Let's make it our new DWTS mantra. Note: ''Woo'' is best imagined if Priscilla is wearing Sabrina Bryan's hideous purple paso doble frock, as she was in Tuesday night's intro package. (Really? Out of all the costumes? That one?)

Tuesday night offered us some hints of potential season 6 male-female doppelgängers. There are the front-runners with lots of choreographic experience (Kristi Yamaguchi and Mario). The ones who still can't believe they're on their all-time favorite show! (Marissa Jaret Winokur and the Gute). The ones who didn't live up to expectations but are pretty and show promise (Shannon and Cristián). Nobody wants a complete sentence comparing Adam Carolla to Monica Seles, so enough of that nonsense, and let's get to the ladies…

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Ballroom Skater

Kristi Yamaguchi already owns an Olympic gold medal. Now she has her sights set on a big, gaudy disco-ball trophy.


Q One would think a figure skater, who performs to music and has worked with choreography, would have a leg up on some of the competition. Do you agree?


A Oh, no, this is a whole different world! In skating, it's all about gliding across a smooth sheet of ice. You sort of flow through the music and only highlight the big crescendos. In dancing, you have to concentrate on the position of your legs and feet on every beat and every count of the music. It's definitely not easy for me.

Q What have your workouts been like so far?


A The first week we started off at two hours a day, but after that we kicked it up to four to six hours a day. My hips have been killing me! I never used to understand it when older people complained about their achy hips. Now I do.

Q All skaters are used to taking falls on the ice. Have you had any scary mishaps on the dance floor yet?


A I've had a couple of tumbles, sure. And you know that's exactly what they'll show on TV to 20 million viewers. They have the cameras there all the time. It's very intimidating.

Q They also tend to show the squabbles between the celebrity and the pro. How have you and Mark been getting along?


A Mark laughs more than he yells. He's an amazing teacher, and he's very patient with me. He's really good about saying things over and over. It's a great deal of work, but he's making it fun.

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Dancing With The Stars Preview: The Women

Marlee Matlin just might be the most interesting contestant heading into the competition. After all, she's deaf. How is that going to work? Just the idea behind that already fascinates me. And if that wasn't interesting enough, it's Marlee Matlin! She has an Academy Award and a ton of great TV credits. The West Wing, The L Word, Nip/Tuck, My Name Is Earl.

That name recognition should go a long way for her, and the years of performing for the cameras can't hurt. I do believe that her hearing will ultimately be a non-story. The wild card with Marlee right now appears to be her partner. Fabian Sanchez is making his DWTS debut. Winning the US Mambo Championship is nothing to scoff at, but we haven't seen how he works with an amateur partner, or how he responds to choreographing new performances week after week.

Kristi Yamaguchi should be one of the early favorites. There is certainly precedent for contestants with Olympic skating medals to do well in the competition. Add to that the fact that she has spent years performing in front of huge crowds, and being scored on those performances. The nerves should not be a problem for Kristi.

The big question, of course, is how the graceful moves of a skater translate when the skates make way for the heels. My bet is on very well, and Mark Ballas should prove to be an excellent partner. I'm glad to see him back with a partner that has a real shot, because I still think he left too early in his last go.

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Delicate Balance For Yamaguchi

Things are about to get mighty hectic in North Raleigh's relatively tranquil Hedican-Yamaguchi household.
Dad Bret Hedican is looking to help his Carolina Hurricanes get to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Mom Kristi Yamaguchi is hoping to tango to victory on television's "Dancing With the Stars."

And daughters Keara Kiyomi, 4, and Emma Yoshiko, 2, are about to have their routines disrupted.

"I'm a little anxious now," said Yamaguchi, the gold medal-winning figure skater, who was announced this week as a contestant on the ABC show's sixth season. "It's a whole different world."

She's a fan of the program, in which celebrities are paired with professionals to perform ballroom dances. One couple is voted off each week, based on judges' scores and viewers' votes. Celebrities are paid for taking part, and the winner gets a trophy.

Yamaguchi, 36, was inclined to say yes when she got the offer around Christmas. But there were considerations, such as where her daughters will stay while she's in Los Angeles for the show and Hedican is traveling with the Hurricanes. That's still being worked out.

"Yeah, it's going to get a little crazy," admits Hedican, a defenseman. "But you know what? ... Kristi's really sacrificed a lot for me, obviously, the last four years -- having our kids, and kind of putting her career on hold. For me to be able to support her in what she wants to do is great."

Already, Yamaguchi is scrambling. This week, she's flown to Chicago and back for an appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show." Media inquiries have been relentless. And she's begun practicing with the professional dancer she'll be paired with, Mark Ballas.

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Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Ballas Already Practicing for DWTS

It was inevitable that a figure skater would eventually join the cast of the smash television sensation Dancing with the Stars. Among the celebrities for season six is Olympic gold medalist, world champion, U.S. champion and world professional champion Kristi Yamaguchi. She and professional partner Mark Ballas have already begun practicing.

The offer to vie for DWTS's glitter ball trophy first came to Yamaguchi last fall, when she and her friends were intently watching season five.

"When you're that into something and then you get asked to do it, you're in a little bit of shock," says Yamaguchi, who during hockey season lives in Raleigh, N.C., with her husband, Bret Hedican, of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes and their daughters, Keara, 4, and Emma, 2. "There's so much scrutiny and pressure. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back into that spotlight."

Once she realized she could do most of the pre-show training in Raleigh and work out arrangements for her daughters, she knew she had to sign on. Keara is in pre-school, so she'll probably have them stay in Raleigh until spring break. "Hopefully, I'll still be in Los Angeles then," Yamaguchi, 36, says.

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Dancing With The Stars Season 6 Cast List

Priscilla Presley, Kristi Yamaguchi and Adam Carolla are catching dance fever.

They are among the dozen celebrities who have signed on to compete on the next season of "Dancing With the Stars."

The other contestants include actors Marlee Matlin, Shannon Elizabeth and Steve Guttenberg; tennis champion Monica Seles, magician Penn Jillette, R&B singer Mario and Miami Dolphins defensive end Jason Taylor, ABC announced Monday night.

Rounding out the cast will be television actors Cristian De La Fuente and Marissa Jaret Winokur.

The dancing competition is set to begin with a live performance on March 17, ABC said

Source: AP