My Top Female Dancing with the Stars Pros
I’m sitting here waitig for the tires to be done on my car. New Years Eve football is on in the background and I decided it would be fun to write up a list of my favorite DWTS pros. I’ll just do the female pros and leave the male pros up to one of the other Pure DWTS female bloggers. I’m also not going to list all of the pros since I don’t have a list in front of me.
So, without further ado, here’s my list of favorite female DWTS pros:
1. Julianne Hough – Julianne is one of the major reasons that I started to love DWTS. Julianne and Apolo were fantastic together. I also loved how Julianne wasn’t afraid to make comments back to the judges. Not hateful or disrespectful, just disagreeing and playful. I loved it and missed it this last season.
2. Edyta Śliwińska – I just adore Edyta’s dancing. She’s not the best teacher and not the best choreographer, but if I think back on my favorite moments on DWTS Edyta has a number of them. Her long legs don’t hurt either. I really hope she can win a mirror ball trophy.
3. Kym Johnson – Donny was definitely a ringer, but Kym had been given such crap partners before that I didn’t mind too much. Plus, she was so fantastic with less than perfect dancers like Jerry Springer that I was so glad she could finally win. I could be wrong, but I bet she’s just as nice in person as she is on TV. The accent is nice as well.
4. Chelsie Hightower – I have a feeling that Chelsie is going to move up this list over time. I can’t get some of her ‘boy’ moments (like burping) out of my head, but I still love watching her dance. She brings the most out of her partners and I think truly loves dancing.
5. Karina Smirnoff – Karina is such an amazing dancer. Some of her back bends are unbelievable. I prefer to watch her in the pro dances, but she is stunning to watch dance.
6. Lacey Schwimmer – She’s a bit of a jerk at times, but as far as dancing she is very creative. However, I’d love to see her choreograph on SYTYCD where there aren’t rules.
7. Cheryl Burke – She is likely the best choreographer on this list so I couldn’t leave her off. However, her dancing doesn’t do much for me. I’m not sure why. I’m sure she’s technically great, but just isn’t as nice to watch as the others to me.
Ok, that’s the list off the top of my head of top female DWTS pros. Is there someone I’ve left off? How would you rank them?
Not a fan of many of these and if they are, they’re far down in my top 10
My Top 10:
1: Anna Trebunskaya
2: Inna Brayer
3: Anna Demidova
4: Julianne Hough
5: Andrea Hale
6: Elena Grinenko
7; Ashly DelGrosso
8: Charlotte Jorgensen
9: Edyta Śliwińska
10: Kym Johnson
1. Julianne
2. Lacey
3. Edyta
4. Kym
5. Anna T
???
changed my mind-
1. Julianne
2. Lacey
3. Edyta
4. Chelsie
5. Kym
6. Anna T.
7. Anna D.
Katrina,
Interesting list. I can’t beleive you and dwts have Anna T on your list. She’s my least favorite. Although, she’s decent when she dances with Jonathan.
I like Anna D, but I think Michael Irvin ruined her for me a bit. Plus, the makeup/costume people on DWTS. She’s so attractive and they did something funky that always made me wonder what they were doing.
Cheryl don’t outdance her partners like others do and why she don’t do any flashy moves.She caters her partner better more than anyone else.But no mistake, she standout in all pro dances and always have the best solos, because she’s a charismatic dancer and a very special performer.Her biggest advantage is getting in character and feeling the music better than anyone.
For me, Cheryl is the best overall female pro.Handsdown!
John, I dislike a lot of the people on your list, especially, Cheryl, Lacey, and Karina. I only like Karina when she danced with Slavik Kryklyvyy. I have a HUGE dislike for Cheryl especially and have since she came on the show. I dislike Lacey for personal reasons.
Oh I know! I hated what they did with her, except though when they had her have a brunette wig. I thought she looked amazing as a brunette.
What bugs me is that they (being the show) get some great pros then give them crap partners (like they did with both Andrea Hale and Elena G) and then they don’t ask them back. I was extremely sad that Inna wasn’t back on as I think she’s a beautiful dancer.
My top five are
1. Cheryl
2. Kym
3. Anna T
4. Anna D
5. Edyta
I agree it’s a shame Inna hasn’t returned.
I personally dislike Cheryl as well, and have since she got Emmitt as her partner. Anna T also doesn’t do anything for me. I like Anna D. but she didn’t do anything special. She also beat out Afton Delgrosso for the newest pro dancer :/
I have to stick with original dancers first, saying that Edyta Sliwinska is by far the favorite of my family. Her lines and beauty are amazing, and she’s the only dancer to compete in every season (and have yet to win!). I also loved Julianne when she was on, but felt that she left for selfish reasons. I also started to dislike her a little when Chuck was her partner. However, she is one of the best choreographers that the show has ever had. Ashly Delgrosso has to be another favorite of mine. I absolutely LOVED her when she was on and thought she was adorable. I was saddened when she left and every more upset to learn that the show had caused her to have bulimia. Kym is also another favorite.
Of the newbies, Chelsie and Lacey are of course my favorites, as they were my favorites on So You Think You Can Dance when they were on their respective seasons. I think they are both creative in their own ways and make me smile when they dance.
Overall, my top 5 favorite female dancers would have to be:
1. Edyta Sliwinska
2. Chelsie Hightower
3. Ashly Delgrosso Costa
4. Lacey Schwimmer
5. Julianne Hough
Anna Trebunskaya & Julianne Hough 4ever as # 1 pro dancer
Trebunskie & Jules are the list!!! *Laughs evily*
I’m sorry I got carried away for a moment… ‘^-^
John, only Anna could turn Chuck Liddel into colorful piñata (week 3) she may not seem like a good dancer… but shes never been partnered well, like they say “opposites attract”… partner her with a quiet, soft-spoken, wide-eyed teen (Nick Jonas) or a mild-mannored shirtless hunk (Ryan Kwanten) or a subtle yet easily flarred older gentleman (Malcolm McDowell) and Anna would slaughter the competition
Katrina, Inna was a college student @ the time plus she is still learning dancing so she will be back, don’t worry
Rebecca,
How can you be upset with Julianne leaving for selfish reasons? They went on the show for selfish reasons as well. Fans of her like myself want her back on the show for selfish reasons as well. Can’t fault her for that. She had an opportunity to do what she loves to do most…sing…and she took it. I’m not sure why that would change your opinion of her. I think I like her more because she’s living her dream.
Nick,
Feel free to get carried away anytime. Although, I’m still not seeing Anna T. Maybe you can convert me. I’m open minded and willing to change my mind. That’s the beauty of opinions, they can change.
How would I rate them?
1. Julianne
2. Lacey
3. Chelsie
4. Kym
5. Karina
I’m very tired of Cheryl and Edyta…….
Oh wait, I forgot to add Ashly Del Grosso! I still miss her.
Hmmm…don’t understand the idea of being upset with Julianne for leaving the show. In that business you have to do what you can to further your career, since you can’t dance competitively forever. You can bet that ANY of the other pros would do the same in a heart beat if given the chance.
My favorites? Hmmm…I love the boys, and tend not to focus on the girls – mainly because I”m shallow. 🙂 But if I were to pick my favorites:
1. Julianne – hands down the best female, IMO.
2. Cheryl – another very good choreographer
3. Kym – mainly from a personality and creativity standpoint – as we know, DWTS isn’t all about dancing and she works SO well with her partners.
4. Chelsie – just a little cutie.
5. Anna T. – Just beautiful when with Jonathan, she was entertaining with Chuck.
As for “great pros” not getting asked back – I think that’s kinda bull. Kinda. DWTS is first and foremost a TV show – which means that you have to have not only dance skills but IT. The “IT” factor that makes Derek and Julianne so freakin’ popular. That same IT factor makes Lacey, Mark and Chelsie popular, despite neither Lacey or Chelsie being, IMO, even close to the best in terms of skills. While I love Edyta, I couldn’t put her in my top five because I don’t think she’s a good teacher and, when in group pro dances, seems to have a rhythm all her own – she’s always off with the group.
Anna T. is by far my favorite pro, it’s mainly due to her sense of humor, so dry, and her amazing red hair. I also happen to think she is the strongest overall dancer on the show. I can see why some people might not get her sense of humor, but once you do, you’ll realize she is the true gem of this show.
As for the other pros…..
– I like Karina, because she is a frickin amazing latin dancer.
– Lacey, ummmm, camera whore.
– Chelsie: I’ve heard she’s a really nice girl. so I like her.
– Edyta: Really boring, but the straight males love her, even if that is only 1% of the viewers.
– Cheryl: Fame whore, overrated choreographer (how much of the show is really the pros own choreography?) Not a great dancer.
-Kym: Love her. Mediocre dancer, but I think she’s probably the best teacher of the pros and I like her choreography. Plus, she teaches special needs kids how to dance….
-Anna D.: Won’t be back, but I wish she was involved in more group numbers, because she is a fabulous Standard dancer.
I’m sorry for saying I thought that Julianne left for selfish reasons. I’m entitled to my own opinion, as is everyone else. I ALSO said that she is one of the bet choreographers to pass through the show.
Rebecca,
You’re welcome to have a different opinion about Julianne. In fact, we welcome it. I just wondered why you felt that way since I was surprised you had that feeling. I’d love to hear more about why you felt that way. The beauty of feelings is that they’re neither right nor wrong. If you felt them, that’s real and it’s interesting to hear about other people’s different views.
Ok, so I loved Julianne when she was with Apollo on her first season, as well as with Helio. I even loved her with Adam Carolla, and of course with Cody Linley!! After Season 7, Julianne made it very clear that she wasn’t going to return for the next season because she wanted to focus on her music, which I understand (I also purchased her album and happened to LOVE it). I was really upset when she wasn’t coming back because she was my favorite dancer besides Edyta, but I was content on the fact that she was moving on. I thought it was selfish when she agreed to come back only if she was paired with her at-the-time boyfriend, Chuck Wicks. I didn’t think it was fair at all that she got to dance with her real boyfriend, and in my mind, she only came back with that as the circumstance.
Another reason that I started to dislike her was due to her personality change during the 8th season. When she first started, and for the first couple seasons she was on, she was an innocent, polite mormon who didn’t drink, smoke, or have sex…her own words. “I don’t drink, smoke or do drugs…I think [the choice] to have sex before marriage is an individual one. I’m not trying to preach consequences here, but I think when you say no, down the line it will be a better decision.” – People Mag.
I’m not saying that she is doing drugs and having sex now, I wouldn’t know, but I do know that during her season with Chuck, her outfits got a lot more scandalous and her attitude changed. She went from showing no cleavage and barely any leg at all to wearing a lacy outfit during a rumba that Len thought was right out of her bedtime closet at home. That’s not the Julianne that I started loving. I still support her singing and dancing, as well as the acting she will be doing in her two upcoming movies, Burlesque and Footloose, but I lost a little respect for her after her season with Chuck.
I guess I worded my orignal post wrong, but I was trying not to write anything extensive:) Guess that changed!! I hope that gives you some insight into my reasoning now!
Rebecca,
We like extensive;-)
Thanks for sharing your feelings and reminding us about what happened. The Chuck Wicks era for Julianne was a bit awkward. I guess the reason I’m biased to that whole affair is that when I went to the DWTS finale (the one before he was on the show), of all the people my wife and I met he was the absolute nicest and down to earth guy we met. Because of that I’m sure I’ve given him more of a pass than I would have other people.
It will be interesting to see what Julianne does after her next singles. If they are total flops, will she come back on DWTS? Will be interesting to watch.
Thanks again for sharing your perspective.
[…] challenged me to do this, despite my clear and obvious Hough bias. But it does say MY favorites, so these choices […]
[…] quality” of the pros I think. Nice to see that it corresponds really well with our list of Top Female DWTS Pros and Top Male DWTS Pros quite well. Related ArticlesDancing with the Stars Season 8 Couples […]
I’ve never seen such a sucessful rant… lol
John, I quite honestly believe Anna T. is one of the most qualified pros yet her partners are usually crap (with the obvious exception of Jerry Rice) I believe season 10 will be Anna’s time to shine -that is if she participates- and quite frankly it’s nice to see her back in the game. I think Anna needs to be partnered with an olympian or a hottie Latin singer *coughs* Ricky Martin, Enrique Inglesias! Oh I’m sorry I have a tickle in my throat.
Heidi’s right Rebecca in fact I mightn’t be surprised if some veterans leave soon…
Mark & Derek- BallasHough is getting popular
Edyta & Alec- Becoming actors
Cheryl- I think she’s dabbled modeling
Maks- idk yet I’d love to see him in a movie…
Karina- Could be a Model
Louis- An actor?
Lacey- Hostess
Blades has pegged them all… especially Edyta…
I don’t know if it’s BH that makes Derek even more famous, Nick. I think it will be something else. I think he’ll be the one who ends up a successful actor – check back in two years. 🙂
I agree— Some of the favorite pros will be leaving soon. Edyta and Alec said on Dr. Phil today that they will only be doing the show up to another year…which is probably when the show will be going downhill anyways 🙁 Edyta also said that she wants to try to have children soon…So who knows what they will be doing!! Which makes me upset because she is my favorite professional.
I quite agree Heidi due to the fact Derek is very versatile when it comes to talent he can act, sing, dance… all he needs is a reality Tv show (spoiler) yes I dunno whether or not this is a rumor, but about a year ago I stumbled on an article stating he may create a spinoff which’d (If I had to guess would follow along the lines of DWTS) as to if it’s true or not will be seen in the upcoming years…
Rebecca, I don’t think Edyta & Alec would walk away from a rich livelyhood until they make it in other areas such as Julianne, Derek, Mark or Louis… if they open a center like Louis then perhaps; however, until then or Edyta ends up in a remake of Chicago or Alec is the next Patrick Swayze I doubt they’d up and leave…
As for the shows demise we must all admit it had a good run and hope ballroom doesn’t fall by the wayside… *sighs* I guess I’ll never be on DWTS. Someone should make an International DWTS with 15 celebs from each major country SCD spinoffs have lasted more than two seasons. For up to six weeks it should only be broadcasted in the respective shows country until half remain then have a continental compitition until one couple from each continent remains the the semi-finals can be internationally televised so the final six can battle it out for title of world dancer supreme… but thats just my opinion!
I have to revise a previous statement Julianne I love her but because shes disconnected now from DWTS when it needs her the most is unfair… I have to agree with Rebecca and sat she’s changed but this change occured after she and Apolo won after that she got with Chuck (if I’m not mistaken) and she only thought two wins would make the judges view her as an example so she did a 180 with her persona and became Chuck’s sexy dancer…
Anna T. and Chelsie are now my two faves. I hope Anna doesn’t leave for fame like Julianne did.
As for Chelsie, being a bulemic/anorexic dancer myself, I think I can speak for the both of us when I say pressure for excellence in the rat-race is a heavy burden…
Nick, I assume you meant Lacey and not Chelsie in that last comment, right? At least I think Chelsie isn’t bulemic/anorexic.
Nick, DWTS was the number two show for the YEAR behind American Idol – it ain’t going anywhere for a while yet.
I think the spinoff you might be thinking of is where someone tried to talk Derek and Shannon into doing a reality show together, along the lines of Tori Spelling and her hubby – they said no, of course. 🙂
Don’t forget Cheryl – she has a pretty lucrative business going with her studios!
I think I read that Maks also has some studios. Tony has a lot of side projects as well from what I’ve seen.
I think i’s Chelsie, but I wouldn’t surprise me if Lacey was too…
Heidi, I think it was about him having a show that combined X-Factor with DWTS as to whether or not it’s truth or hype will be determined…
I’m not saying it’ll fallout soon it just seems as though it may end within 6-7 years due to fan favs leaving… I’m not saying Lacey, Chelsie & Anna are rubbish but if they get more ‘IT’ dancers the show may last longer than 25+ seasons… if the introduce dancers like Lacey & Benji’s cousin Heidi, Anna Demidova’s sister, maybe even and this seems somewhat of a longshot, Flavia Cacace (SCD) because she was SCD’s wowzer girl and I like the idea of celebs with previous dance experience as contestants… Nicole Kidman, Selena Gomez, hell if they get John Travolta or LL cool J on it’d be a hit!!!
I would adore having Heidi (Lacey’s cousin) on DWTS. I would literally freak out. She’s the reason I got started with all this stuff anyway. Don’t tease me like this.
Nick, Lacey just revealed to Access Hollywood and Extra that she has been suffering from Bulemia and Anorexia for the past ten years. I don’t believe that Chelsie has either of these but she hasn’t said. It’s so sad to hear about Lacey 🙁
Having a Heidi on the show would confuse me too, too much. I can’t allow it. 🙂
I’m willing to sacrifice your confusion.
Oh Heidi! lol
But we need fresh ‘IT’ since some dancer don’t have that!
Anna T.- Russian she-devil
Edyta- Sex in heels
Chelsie- Young and scrappy
That works and Heidi has flare and gusto
Nick,
I think Karina is the Russian she-devil more than Anna (I think she’s Russian too right?)
“Edyta- Sex in heels” ROFLOL I didn’t realize she wore heals. I never got past her legs.
Heidi definitely has th ‘IT’ in my book. She’d be fantastic. Plus, her name wouldn’t be a problem on the show since we’ll just refer to Pure DWTS Heidi as Princess Heidi. No confusion at all;-)
Indeed!
Karina is Ukrainian I believe…
They need dancers like Heidi, Mak’s bro and Flavia (by the by it’d be an excellent comeback since she was booted for Erin Boag!
Looks like you’re right that Karina is Ukrainian, but her mother is Russian. So, I’m sticking with Karina as my Russian she-devil.
Including Julianne, here’s how I rank all of last season’s:
1. Julianne
2. Chelsie
3. Kym
4. Anna T.
5. Karina
6. Lacey
7. Cheryl
-8. Anna D.
-8. Edyta
Chelsie is my fav! She is so young and cute! I liked Julianne until Chuck came along. Then she got to flirty.
Thanks for backing me up Scarlett:)