Derek Hough on “Ringers”
Very interesting interview with Derek – don’t let the title mislead you, he actually doesn’t back away AT ALL from Nicole’s previous dance experience. In fact, I think even Derek detractors will have a tough time finding fault with what he has to say. But maybe I’m overly optimistic on that front. 🙂 Anyway, from the Seattle Post – TV Guide, a few excerpts:
TVGuide.com: Anna Trebunskaya says you’ve been busting in on her rehearsals with Evan Lysacek. Are you scoping out the competition?
Derek Hough: Totally! We’re constantly walking in, like, “So what’s going on, guys?” [Laughs] It’s funny because Nicole does this certain move in our Viennese waltz that kind of looks like ice skating, like gliding, so every time she does it, she goes, “It’s the Lysacek!” Everyone’s having a good time. She gets along with everybody and she’s enjoying herself. Nicole’s a really hard worker, but we’ve been playing hard as well too. She’s a huge goofball. I thought I was crazy and goofy, but she’s definitely outmatched me.
TVGuide.com: There seems to be at least one person every season with a performing or dance background that people label a “ringer.” Some say it’s Nicole this season. Does that bother you?
Hough: For me, I don’t think it’s Nicole. I think it could be Evan. He performs choreography on ice. He’s like Baryshnikov on ice! Nicole is like, “Wait a minute. I’m a singer who just happens to do a few chest bumps and a few head rolls.” That’s what she compares her dancing to. But what’s so great about this season is that I don’t think there is a definite ringer. You’ve got lots of people who can be very good. Evan will be tough for so many different reasons. Chad [Ochocinco]’s got a great personality. We’ve learned in the past that people who’ve danced before don’t necessarily do well, let alone win. The show is so much more than just dancing. It’s about personality, it’s about story, it’s about charisma. Just look at Ty Murray.TVGuide.com: How much has Nicole’s dance background helped?
Hough: I hate when people say, “No, it’s a totally different monster. It doesn’t help at all.” That’s ridiculous. Of course it helps! I think what helps the most is her musicality. But it is very true that this is hard. People make it look easy, but that’s what’s so hard about it — making it look easy. It’s definitely a struggle, but I think her dance experience has allowed us to up the ante as far as choreography.
TVGuide.com: Who are you excited to see dance?
Hough: I think Pamela Anderson is going to bring something good. She’s with Damian [Whitewood], the new guy, who’s going to bring new energy. Erin Andrews and Maks [Chmerkovskiy] should be something as well. I can’t wait to see Buzz [Aldrin]. Buzz is a little party animal. I went out twice last week and he was at both parties. He was kicking it right until the end. … This guy is a party animal and he’s 80 years old! He’s awesome. When he practices, he wears this shirt with this guy walking on the moon, and I said, “Is that you?” He said, “Yeah, it is, actually.” “Oh, wow!” [Laughs] People say that he’s a moonwalker, and he doesn’t like that. “No, I walked on the moon. I’ve actually walked on it.” It’s pretty funny because it’s true! You’re like, “Right, sorry. Duh. You’re a legend.”
This is a great article. I love reading Derek’s professional outtake on the season and competition. He’s very honest.
I agree this will be a very interesting/competitve season.
Thanks Heidi,
This is a tough year IMO. Anyone’s game. Anyone can come from behind and win like in a horse race.
This is just about what anyone would say in his situation, no surprises. Interesting that he didn’t mention Erin Andrews.
I’m happy for you, Heidi, and other DH fans. It’s just that I’ve had more than enough of him myself. Sorry.
Remember Derek is not only a dancer, his also a theater actor. So at times he’ll b a little more goofy…but ABC likes that..different personalities..brings a little more drama to the show.
Joanie, if you finish reading the full post, he does in fact mention Erin and Maks.
As of right now I don’t really like Nicole from the little I’ve seen of her prior to DWTS, but I am looking forward to seeing more of their goofiness and maybe even changing my opinion of her.
Actually, no, Derek says the exact opposite of what Dmitry said, as I recall, and opposite of what Maks has said in the past (re: Mel, although I may be mis-remembering). I can’t even count the number of times that some pro has said “no, their previous dance experience won’t help them because this is totally different” – Derek just said basically that that’s bull. And he’s right. Not that I would expect YOU to give him any credit for anything, Joanie. 🙂 No surprises there, for sure.
In Derek and Nicole’s rehearsal clip from ABC, they do have some sort of inside goofy lingo going on. Nicole said she “Ochocinco’d” and she’s being pretty goofy while doing it – I can’t wait to hear the inside story on that one.
Hi Joanie,
Actually Derek does mention Erin, and rather positively too. Here’s the original article in it’s entirety. 🙂
http://www.tvguide.com/Dancing-Stars/Dancings-Derek-Hough-1016427.aspx?rss=breakingnews
that’s a great interview from Derek it shows how professionnel and honest he is. beside liking him as a dancer i have so much respect for him as a person. i can’t wait for this season to start, i’m impatient about it more than any other previous season! like Nicole says it’s gonna be “FIIREE”!! 😀 like a lot of people, i knew her as the pussycat doll lead singer with great songs that i like, but in the few videos that i’ve seen, i’ve started to reaaly like her as a person being goofy sweet and very modest. This season is anyone’s game, so it’s a lot to consider beside dance skills! Evan lysachek may be a hell of a dancer but in the rehearsal videos that’ve seen he lacks in personality (he’s kinda boring to me, and i don’t care if he’s handsome coz what matters to me is PERSONALITY, sorry it’s only my opinion no ofense to his fans), Chad is known for his personnality, Erin seems really good and pretty intersting to watch, Pam and shannen (she got mark=great choreographies, and Pam got the new guy so we excpect something new that we might like), niecy is pretty funny people would want her to stay on the show for her sense of humor!! all said i’m just hoping that it would a great season, with a lot of excitement, fun , ENTERTAINEMENT, personnality, and FIIIIIREE 😀 😀
Heidi,
I think you are being “overly optimistic”.
If Nicole is not to be called a ringer, then what was all the fuss about over Donny and Mya last year? In my opinion from everything I read last season (and I read everything!) about Donny & Mya, Nicole is definitely a ringer!
I have no problem with you rooting for Derek because he is your absolute favorite and excited because he may have a really good chance of winning this year. I totally understand that. Remember I am the huge Donny fan (yeah, baby!) but please don’t tell me that Nicole is not a ringer.
Sounds to me like Derek is trying to gloss over the fact that she definitely is a ringer. What is he supposed to say? Of course he is going to act like she is not a ringer.
Sorry, I’m not buying it.
Mary Ann
Please point to where I said she’s not a ringer. On the contrary I’ve called her a ringer on several occasions. In fact, I said I was glad Derek FINALLY got a ringer. Before you get snotty, perhaps you should read all my posts more carefully? In fact, I don’t think there is a Derek fan out there trying to deny Nicole is a ringer. Thanks for proving my point though – I knew there would be one or two people unable to see past their own biases to read clearly. 🙂
What DEREK said that most pros don’t say (and what I was referring to with my comments) is that previous dance experience absolutely DOES help. That’s quite an admission. And he’s right – it does help. Where he and I differ is in whether Nicole’s a ringer – he’s saying that Nicole’s not a ringer because Evan is a bigger one – like there can only be one. I both agree and disagree with that. I agree because Nicole’s status as a ringer most likely won’t matter in the slightest – like Mya being a ringer didn’t matter. Why? Because there is a MUCH bigger ringer – Evan Lysacek. From that standpoint – is she still a ringer? Derek doesn’t apparently think so, because he thinks Evan is a bigger one. I think she’s as much a ringer as Mel B, but less so than Mya – and can’t even touch Donny Osmond. Donny is one of the biggest ringers of all time – like it or not, there was no way he was going to lose even though Mya was three times the dancer he was.
It’s an interesting point he makes, or opinion he has. If you have a Kristi Yamaguchi or a Shawn Johnson or an Evan Lysacek or a Donny Osmond on the show can there be another ringer?? When you are pretty darn sure that – barring physical injury or a total lack of rhythm – ONE person is going to win is there such a thing as a second ringer? I guess we won’t know if Nicole’s dance ability will matter until we see them ALL dance. If Evan is even half as good as I think he will be, Nicole could be a trained ballroom professional and it wouldn’t matter in the slightest.
And it figures the year that Derek FINALLY gets the good on paper dancer, there is a male Kristi Yamaguchi on the show.
Oh, I posted the link for people to follow – some just don’t WANT to. 🙂
Heidi,
I was not being “snotty” I was just stating my opinion of which you don’t agree. That’s fine. I know how much you hate Donny so I know we will probably not agree on much.
And I have not read all of your posts. I do have a life other than reading every single thing you post on dancing with the stars and Derek. I skim over a lot of what comes in my inbox and only read what interest me. The ringer title caught my eye so I read it – the whole article. I didn’t know that I had to read everything ever written to make a comment on one article or post by you. My apologies.
You just go in circles talking about the ringers and you are trying too hard to make it out that Nicole is not a ringer. She is!
“Thanks for proving my point though – I knew there would be one or two people unable to see past their own biases to read clearly. ”
I have no bias. I haven’t read all of your posts. Yes, I didn’t read clearly because I didn’t read them. Since there is no one that I am attached to, like Donny, I will let the dancers wow me! Whoever does, gets my vote. Right now, I will vote for Evan simply because I watched him in the olympics and loved him! I don’t know anything about Nicole. And I don’t care for anyone else. Well, maybe Niecy Nash. I do like her she makes me laugh.
So since I don’t have a favorite right now, I will vote for the best dancer – whoever that may be – ringer or not. I don’t care.
Nothing wrong with rooting for a ringer. I did all last season. Just quit making excuses that maybe she is not a ringer. She is!
Just my opinion – not being “snotty”. I apologize if you felt that way.
Mary Ann
Read my response to you again. Note the three or more times I called Nicole a ringer. YES, if you are going to claim I said something that I didn’t YOU DO have to read everything – unless you don’t care that you have no credibility. You don’t actually get to NOT read and then make stuff up. Unless you work for The Globe or some such.
The very fact that you claim I hate Donny shows your extreme bias. Only those who are extremely biased would claim that the lack of adoration equals hate.
Now since you will likely yet again claim that I’m saying Nicole is not a ringer, we’ll put you in the hopeless case category and stop arguing with you. Although, since you are so busy having a life and doing other things I don’t expect I’ll see you back here arguing AGAIN. lol
“Although, since you are so busy having a life and doing other things I don’t expect I’ll see you back here arguing AGAIN. lol”
Your right about that!
Yeah, Baby!!
Hi Heidi,
I would still like to argue that ringers don’t exist. However, I would agree with you that Evan and Nicole seem to have big advantages. But I don’t think DWTS was ever made to be a fair competition. Instead, the show’s made to be watchable, which means that it has people of different backgrounds and ages. For me, calling someone a ‘ringer’ means you take the competition aspect of the show seriously, which I don’t. After all, they just get a mirrorball. But I agree with you in general that certain participants always have an advantage. Oh well.
Thanks for your work on the website, it’s a nice diversion during my day.
LOL – except for this one time, right? 🙂
Thanks, Rooster. You do make a good point – that if I (or anyone) think there are ringers that means we take the competition seriously. Weird thing is, I don’t think I do! But I DO want to see my favorites week after week, so that is how a ringer would impact me from one season to the next. Know what I mean? UNFORTUNATELY, now that Derek has what appears to be a ringer I’m afraid they won’t live up to the hype – so I’m pretty much screwed either way ya go. 🙂