Shawn Johnson Takes Dancing With The Stars

Shawn Johnson wins DWTS.
Besides Johnson being very talented on the dance floor, a diligent rehearser and a consummate professional, Shawn also has some very savvy PR people around her. If you take a good look at the first photo above, you will see a woman with her arms around Ms. Johnson. Every time I was at the Grove and they saw me, they would turn Shawn towards me so I could get a good shot. I appreciated it don't get me wrong but one thing if a person wants to win Dancing With the Stars one has to know one major thing. It is a POPULARITY contest.

You have to work it. You have to go to events, sign autographs, do the red carpet - like TERMINATOR SALVATION which Shawn attended.

As RuPaul said "You Better Work It!!!!

Last Dance for DWTS Maksim & Denise

What a surprise yesterday was!!! I ran into Dancing With the Stars Maksim

and Denise Richards.
They told me exclusively that they were dancing together again for the 2009 Dancing With the Stars Finale. As usual Maksim looked good enough to eat. I love a man that is butch and can DANCE.

Denise was in good spirits and looked in great shape.
I'll add the video later. Hopefully it will sell first. I just want to thank all the Dancing With The Stars Stars in front and behind the scenes because without you, I would have not gotten so many pictures in magazines. DWTS has been very, very good to me!

Dancing With The Stars - Final 4

Sweeter than cherry pie, Ty and Chelsea still dancing... Will Monday performance be the last?


I caught up with Ty, Chelsea and Cheryl and Gilles over the weekend. Gilles Marini was rubbing a sore shoulder while leaving rehearsal.

Jewel is Ty's (Not So) Secret Weapon

I was having a deep conversation with some Dancing With The Stars fans who were in shock over Lil Kim's demise. With Ty Murray being in the bottom two for most of the competition, many wanted the Bull Rider to go. One of the main reasons is his better half JEWEL. Jewel and Jewel's people are adept in working it.
Jewel has been seen everywhere and is constantly photographed and interviewed. Not only does Ty receive the benefits of having his wife's support, he also gets her fans supporting him. And the best part for Jewel, although she was injured and couldn't perform on the show, she is able to be a part of the show and get all the benefits of constantly being on TV and in magazines.

This is great for someone who has a new album and tour on the way. Don't get me wrong, Ty's dancing has improved greatly but better than Lil Kim - Don't think so!

Jewel proves the old adage behind every great man is a more Brilliant Woman.

DWTS' Tony Dovolani Gives It Up...4 Fans

Like Shawn Johnson's camp, Tony Dovolani takes time with his busy schedule to meet and greet fans.
Tony is a pro and a very nice guy.
Just when one thought Melissa Rycroft and him were going to be voted off the show, the unthinkable happens Lil Kim and Derek Hough get voted off.

Shawn Johnson a Winner's Edge

I figured something out with this whole Dancing With the Stars thing. It is definitely all about the FANS. Olympic Gold Medalist Shawn Johnson & her people (publicist, mom, agents) get it.
Shawn goes to the after concert smiles and takes photos with fans. Besides being very talented, she has an ever increasing popularity and with "reality" shows that rely on voting, one realizes that it comes down to a popularity contest and one must feed the public....

Ty Murray Talks Bull...

This might be one of my favorite interviews...Dancing With The Stars 2009 Contestant Ty Murray talks about Bull Riding as well as FOX 11 Good Day 11.

Jewel at the Grove

I chatted with Jewel over the weekend at the Grove. She was there to see THE SOLOIST with Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.

Jewel had her pet with her while Ty Murray her husband was busy rehearsing for Dancing With The Stars. Having an insider view on Dancing With The Stars, Jewel said she wasn't sure if she would do the show at a later time. Due to the injury prone show, Jewel told me that there needed to be more professionals on the show to make sure the participants were warmed up and stretched before and after practice.

Jewel also told me that she has a new album coming out. Jewel and Ty are two of the nicest people I have had the pleasure of interviewing and meeting.

Lisa Rinna Talks Dancing With The Stars (the Video)

This has to be one of my favorite video interviews...Lisa Rinna and I talk DWTS and Gilles and Lil Kim....

Ty & Chelsea - The Last Dance?

One of the many things I like about Dancing With the Stars, is that most of the people are Really Sweet. I think my photos/videos of them over the past 2 seasons reflect that. I have a great appreciation for dancers and mad respect for the discipline and talent it takes to perform. Most importantly dancing can be so much fun and bring out so much joy. I had a great conversation with Ty today. I asked him how he handles the stress of learning the dances, performing and being critiqued. Murray said to just enjoy the process. Wise words......Sometimes I forget to just enjoy the process. Ty helped me to remember that today. So whether or not this week is the last one for Chelsea Hightower and Ty Murray to dance together, it really doesn't matter because they did their best and enjoyed the process.

Lisa Rinna Still Hot Still Dancing

After hanging out with some friends at a local pizza joint, I saw Lisa Rinna. I was carrying some food and I handed over to one of my friends to pull my camera out. Lisa Rinna fresh from those hot photos on the beach with her wearing a bikini and sporting a body of a woman 1/2 her age, was looking very beautiful on her way to take a dance class.
She stopped and talked with us while I snapped away. I've shot Lisa numerous times and she always looks on top of her game.

Lisa being a former DWTS' contestant, is an avid fan of DWTS. I asked her about Gilles Marini nude scene in Sex in the City. Her answer was classic. I'll put it up in a day or 2. It is one of my favorit and fun interviews.

DWTS' Gilles Marini Gives Me an Exclusive

Gilles Marini told me exclusively today that he will be dancing with Lil Kim next week on Dancing With the Stars.
The Stars will have to learn 2 dances for the next show and the cast is dwindling. Word on the street is that the competition will be between Lil Kim and Gilles.

DWTS' Karina Smirnoff Has Another Thing To Smile About

Beautiful and multi-talented Karina Smirnoff looked lovely in a white summer dress yesterday.
Smirnoff told me that she has a new gig with E! doing interviews with Dancing With the Stars finalists. Although her and her parnter Steve Wozniak were voted off the show, Karina is keeping busy with several projects.

Gilles Marini putting the D in Daddy

Gilles Marini shows Dads can be sexy hot....Gilles beautiful wife and kids were with him yesterday. His daughter started to cry when he was leaving.

He gave his son a big kiss.
And tapped his wife's butt before he left for rehearsal.
Marini could teach some Dads some new tricks....

DWTS' Ty and Gilles: Nice Guys Finish First

Two Nice guys crossed my path today. Ty Murray and Gilles Marini prove that nice guys are very attractive in all the varying forms. On the next Dancing With the Stars, the Stars will performing a group dance. So this week they have to learn two routines. I overhead Gilles say that he already learned his dance with partner Cheryl Burke.

Ty who has been struggling outside of his comfort zone, is always up for a challenge.

DWTS' Tony Dovolani Talks Diet

I asked Melissa Rycroft DWTS' partner Tony Dovolani how he keeps his fit figure...

Singer Jewel Visits Husband Ty at DWTS' Rehearsal

After a crueling rehearsal,Jewel visits her husband Ty. The pair signed autographs and met some fans from Philadelphia. Still using a crutch due to an injury, Jewel decorated it with a multicolor scarf.

David Alan Grier sent packing on DWTS

Comedian David Alan Grier (known as DAG) to his friends and fans, was voted off to his surprise. It wasn't a surprise to those who get the show. Dancing With the Stars is all about the fan base. Of course the judges weigh in but if one doesn't have fans that vote, one is doomed. Steve-O has a MTV generation that loves him. Lawrence Taylor has a football base, Shawn Johnson as an Olympic Gold Medalist has numerous gymnastic enthusiasts, Melissa Rycroft Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader and Bachleor reject has a sympathy base besides her excellent dancing ability, Ty Murray bull rider & Chuck Wicks have a huge country/cowboy fan base. The sexy Gilles Marini left a lasting-lingering impression because of his nude scenes in SEX AND THE CITY movie that coincedently is playing non stop on HBO and available on DVDs for several months, has both male and female fans. Marini's dancing has been steller. And of course he is easy on the eye. Lil Kim has a huge Rap/music base, an urban audience, a "Paris Hilton"/bad girl gone good type of following and a growing number of new fans that are wowed by her dancing. David didn't get the "Fan Thang".

If you don't have fans and treat them well and reach out to them, you get booted off the show. Simple as that. No matter how good you are if you start bitching at the judges because you think you are better than your scores or some one else's, you are bitching up the wrong tree. Although David may have been mad at the judges, he needs to understand that.

Lil Kim Wows on DWTS

Lil Kim is gaining fans for her fantastic dancing on Dancing With the Stars. First her Tango was outstanding and next her lyrical dance took her to a new high.