Carrie Ann Inaba’s DWTS Blog: Rumer Willis Rocks Premiere

Season 20 of Dancing with the Stars kicked off with a bang! Last night was an incredibly exhilarating show.

This year’s cast is energetic with lots of diversity, but they all seemed genuinely happy to be there. And every one of them was a really entertaining performer. They have charisma and charm and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how they develop as the weeks go on. The attitude of positivity prevailed on the dance floor and that’s exactly the kind of energy that is intoxicating for the audience.

My mom, Patty Inaba Chu was in town because we just celebrated her 75th birthday and she agreed, that the cast was exceptional. And she’s been watching every season as well.

Before I get into the performances, I want to say that after 10 years, the judges finally got new trailers! It’s funny because American Idol tapes right next door to us, and their judges have two-story trailers. Our trailers have always been extremely modest in comparison. We don’t need much and don’t complain much about anything. But this year, the upgrade was a nice surprise (thank you, producers!). They are very nice with hardwood-type flooring and they feel like we are staying at the W Hotels chain. Every year we also get a beautiful robe. I love this gift because behind the scenes we pretty much live in our robes. This year’s robe is black and very chic, but more importantly, it’s comfy and cozy!

The first day is always exciting for me. I bring in all my things to get comfortable in my trailer, and the new trailers made everything feel fresh and exciting. It was as if I was on my first day at a new job! I always use a Himalayan crystal to clear out any negative energies and light lots of candles to set the mood. I love coconut and vanilla scents. But I also keep an amber scented candle on hand if I really need to get focused. Somehow the scent really calms me. I brought my yoga mat this year so I can practice on set if I don’t get a chance beforehand. It was like moving into a new apartment.

I received beautiful flowers from my agent, the producers, my mom and my boyfriend Tony, who is in Italy at the moment. The whole day felt positive. And when we walked into the ballroom, at show time, it just got better! The audience was packed with stars from previous seasons and sitting next to me was Jeff Goldblum, which was a treat! Bruce Willis was sitting across the way, and at one point in the night, I saw him singing along to some of the songs and having a great time. He did look a bit serious when his daughter, Rumer Willis, was dancing.

The overall scores were a bit lower than in previous seasons but that is because we have high standards for this 10th anniversary season. And while there were many great performances I want to focus on my top four of the night.

1. Rumer and Val Chmerkovskiy — Their foxtrot was uniquely passionate and intense. I loved the drama and her competitive drive. She didn’t just perform the steps beautifully, she performed them with a vengeance. As the other competitors came out on stage to get ready for their final marks, you could feel that they were all suddenly, re-thinking their approach.

2.  Riker Lynch and Allison Hoker — Their jive was edgy and exciting. His musicality is incredible and he moves really well. It must be in the genes. (He is a cousin of Derek and Julianne Hough). But he’s got a cool skater style going on. It’s a different type of athleticism and way of moving. We haven’t had many on the show with his vibe. He’s precise but cool, appealing to the young girls, and his energy is contagious and effective. I’m looking forward to seeing him do a ballroom dance.

3.  Patti LaBelle and Artem Chignintsev — There was something very special about her performance. Sometimes less is indeed more, and I think this dance was a perfect-pitched approach for the queen of soul. She really dazzled me with her presence and her poise. She was graceful and danced as if she was floating on air. I worry about the faster dances that will be coming up for her but she’s got the right attitude—“70 years young.” She is naturally gifted with beautiful musicality and an inherent grace.

4.  Noah Galloway and Sharna Burgess — Everyone remembers Amy Purdy, the inspirational double-leg amputee from season 18. Her amputations due to meningitis were so different than Noah, an Iraq war veteran who lost his left arm and leg serving our country. Without the ability to lead with the left hand or the ability to bend his left leg, Sharna faces big challenges in creating choreography that will excite us as judges while showcasing Noah’s strengths. Last night was an excellent example of just that. What stood out to me was his incredible balance and strength. His focus was mesmerizing. And you could feel his passion and determination. He has a special ability to be focused with power, not force. His power is quiet and grounded which draws you in. It will be fascinating to see what’s to come during his journey in the ballroom.

Everyone else showed a lot of promise but these four stood out to me. They are going to be the most-remembered dances of our season 20 opening night. There was no elimination this first week, so I’m looking forward to everyone’s second dance. I think after Rumer and Val’s incredible performance, everyone is already at the studio working on their next performance. And I’m looking forward to seeing them all in the glitter dome next Monday.

I want to thank my team for putting me together year after year, and keeping it fun.  My fashion credits are:

Dress: Haute Hippie

Shoes: Casadei

Jewelry: Le Vian, Sylvie Collection, Vanessa Leu and Jorge Adeler

Oh, and I can’t forget, Sadie Robertson stopped by to say hello last night! She’s such special spirit and it is always a joy to see her.

See you next week! Glitter and all!