“I have no expectations every week,” Muniz told me after the show. “I’m thrilled to have gotten as far as we have, but it really depressed me [to be in the bottom] because I do not want to stop [doing this]. I honestly don’t know what I would do with myself if that happened. I love this and I really want it!”
With that crucial halfway point reached, many of the contestants might still be feeling the burn of the required daily training; however, the moves required to receive those all-important high scores are coming a little more naturally to them.
“Every week is a challenge,” admitted Terrell Owens, who with partner Cheryl Burke was awarded a nine for their Quickstep. “I’m not a ballroom dancer. It’s frustrating and it’s hard. But to go through rehearsals and see the end product is what I live for; now, watching the show you can’t tell that I have had no experience, aside from being on the show.”
Lindsey Stirling and partner Mark Ballas announced they are continuing their union with an upcoming tour together. And while the couple is thrilled to be able to continue dancing together on stage, Arnold tells me she is feeling more at ease when it comes to her weekly routine. “Mark told me the skills required, like keeping my arms in place and turning a certain way are all coming into place and we aren’t taking as much time fixing them each week,” she beamed. “He’s a great teacher and it can only make me a better performer.”
For Property Brothers star Drew Scott, Disney Night proved a dream come true. He and partner Emma Slater became actual Muppets for their video package and their Viennese Waltz, to “Rainbow Connection,” earned them 25/30, which included one nine. “That was amazing,” Scott said after the show. “To hear the judges say they see the improvement every week means a lot to me. [Doing this show] was a huge passion of mine, and while I’m still nervous Emma makes it easy.”