Carrie Ann Inaba’s DWTS Blog: Change Is Hard!

Changing partners is not easy. Let’s start there because our celebs have been training with their real pros for weeks, maybe months by now and they have formed a tremendous bond of trust and companionship. They have developed a silent and secret language when they dance. Whether they know it or not, they have developed signals and have learned things about each other that a new partner doesn’t have time to learn in one week. This is what makes the switch up such a challenge. It brings out insecurities and puts everyone on shaky ground. So, I want to say that I recognize this and commend everyone for facing the challenge with grace and dignity. No one threw a tantrum, no one threw a fit and luckily, no one got hurt.

Let’s start with the potential for getting hurt. Jonathan Bennett and Peta Murgatroyd performed a jitterbug that gave me the jitters. I had high hopes for this partnership because Jonathan and Allison Holker had been struggling some because she is the new pro who doesn’t come from the ballroom world. (In some instances that has hurt him, and in others it may have helped him due to her unique style of choreography.) Last night, I was let down by this performance. It was an ambitious routine. Peta always pushes her partners and usually gets great results. However, he lost his way during the routine, and had so many missteps and misgrabs that I was frightened for Peta. Lifts can be dangerous and there were so many lifts in that performance and lifts are scary when you are out of sync with your partner. Trust me, I’ve been there. I’ve been dropped. In fact, I broke a rib once during a film I was shooting when my partner tried to turn me one way, but I thought we were going another way. Trust me, it takes a split second of being out of sync and poof…your injured. Jonathan is a sweet guy, and his wide-eyed excitement and joy is endearing. We’ll have to see how he does next week. Good luck!

Now, let’s move on to Alfonso Ribeiro and Cheryl Burke who performed a really good flamenco. I didn’t get a chance to comment on their dance so I will do so now. It had incredible chemistry. I agree with Julianne there. They had a mature partnership, which seemed as though they were part of one. I commend them on that. I loved seeing Alfonso’s passion come out and the way he commanded the stage. My comments are quite specific. Flamenco is a proud dance. It is in some ways an act of defiance, an expression of a gypsy culture that is an emotional expression that is almost like a crying out to the Gods. When you dance the flamenco, you can be small in person but you must dance it larger than life. You must fill the room with your gestures and your soulful expression. Their dance was nicely choreographed, however, Alfonso didn’t expand outward. He didn’t fill the room with passion. It was a one-dimensional performance in this way. He needed to lift his torso more, and his arm movements needed to be more expansive to have more tension. There was however, one brilliant moment in the routine that left an impact for me. He was dancing side-by-side with Cheryl and he was looking directly into my eyes for two counts of eight. In that moment he was so in the dance. I could see it and feel it. His arm movements were still a bit shortened, but that passion, it was mesmerizing and powerful. Go Alfonso!

On Janel Parrish and Artem Chigvintsev’s burlesque: I thought it was HOT and SEXY for sure! It also lacked a bit of what makes burlesque feel more intelligent than a strip show. There is a difference between being overtly sexual and alluding to it. Burlesque has always had some comedic social commentary woven in. Its origins are said to date back to ancient Greek satirical plays, and of course, in more recent history, vaudeville. While it is sexy, it is intelligently sexy. When Janel danced with the two girls at the bar, the expressions were fantastic and she exuded the “I’m so bored of this” face that we often see on burlesque dancers — which somehow adds to the comedy of it all. But once Artem and Janel got together to dance, it was just super hot. And it lost that “I’m above it all” attitude that keeps it from being overtly sexual. However, let me say this. Janel is a talented and extremely sexy lady. She just is. It comes from her confidence and her soul. Even if she does a jive in overalls, it’s going to be sexy. That’s just something that comes through in her. We weren’t penalizing her for being a sexy performer, nor were we penalizing Artem for being a sexy man. But like ballroom dances have specific foot and hand placements and angles for your head, burlesque has certain styling that come with it. I have to say that since I grew up with so may dancers who were burlesque dancers, and have danced it often myself, it was nice to see the style being performed on the show. It was a first. And it was a nice first. She danced and performed it well. It was just lacking a bit of direction.

There was a lot going on last night in the ballroom. It’s week five and it’s getting tougher now.

Jessie J was very honest with her criticisms and I give her credit for not being afraid to speak her mind. She may have given one score that didn’t feel justified (Antonio and Allison). But it was her first one. I have so much love for our producers and our production crew. You just don’t know how much goes into our show. It’s truly a miracle it happens each week the way it does. DWTS is an ambitious live show. People still come up to me and ask when we tape. It makes me giggle. I always remind them, “We’re live.”

And on a personal note, I apologize that my blog is a bit late today. But, I had the most incredible surprise last night. I went out to dinner with my dear friend. We met at our favorite Japanese restaurant. And we were talking about my lovely boyfriend (who currently lives in Italy). And while we were talking about him, in fact, right as I said the words, I love him so much. A man tapped me on the shoulder. I turned around and it was him. My love flew in from Italy to surprise me! He’s done it before as well. I’m not a person who likes to be surprised very often but this was such a beautiful surprise. So, today I wish for everyone to feel love. Whether for your significant other, your parents, your children, your friends or your animal companions…may love guide you. May you be wrapped up in it and comforted by it. Have a beautiful day everyone. I look forward to sharing next week’s thoughts with you.

This weeks fashion credits:

Dress: Carmen Marc Valvo

Earrings: Black Onyx with Gold Swarovski Border, Bijou Tresor

Right Hand Ring: Black Onyx with Gold Swarovski Border, Bijou Tresor

Left Hand Ring: Cut Out Strands with Pink Diamonds courtesy of Misahara

Cuff: Gold Acanthus Leaf courtesy of Lafonn

Shoes: Emperor Gold Sandal, courtesy of Marion Ayonote