Dance of the Day… Let’s compare Helio and Kristi!
Ah, Memories!!! One thing that I’ve noticed while watching older seasons of DWTS, is how much the JUDGES have changed! Or, NOT! They seem like the same people we see now on the judging panel, only….. Not as much! It’s like as the season passed, they’ve all become stronger versions of themselves, so that they can have the spotlight on them…. (Heidi’s Note: I’m still working on the series discussing the Judges and their “growth” or “devolution”, depending on your perspective, and Season 7 will be posted soon. Season 5 and Season 6 were posted during the last hiatus, if you want to catch up.)
We’ve been taking the time, and revisiting our twelve DWTS Champions on their first week of their Seasons. These were our first impressions that we had of them, and we’re comparing them, two at a time. Once we get through all 12 seasons, I’ve got a couple ideas rolling around inside my head. First, we saw Season 1’s Kelly Monaco and Season 2’s Drew Lachey, and you can see that post here. Next, we saw Season 3’s Emmitt Smith and Season 4’s Apolo Anton Ohno, and you can see that post here.
Onward we move and today we get to revisit our first impressions of Season 5’s Helio Castroneves, and Season 6’s Kristy Yamaguchi.
Helio’s professional partner for Season 5 was Julianne Hough, who had also won the previous season with Apolo Anton Ohno. He was the third athlete in a row to win DWTS, following Emmitt and Apolo. He’s the only race car driver that’s competed on DWTS, and had won the Indianapolis 500 twice at the time he competed. Since then, he’s added another Indy 500 win!
Kristy’s professional partner for Season 6 was Mark Ballas. She is an Olympic Gold Medalist in Women’s Figure Skating, and was one of those contestants where I was sure couldn’t be the age she said she was, she had to be younger. Yet, grow up she did, with a wonderful Professional Hockey player-husband, and the sweetest little kids….
HELIO CASTRONEVES AND JULIANNE HOUGH Season 5 Week 1. They danced a foxtrot to the TV Theme to Bewitched. This is the season where Samantha Harris took a few weeks off at the beginning of the season to bring her first daughter into the world, Drew Lachey took over guest host duties during her (way too brief) maternity leave.
KRISTI YAMAGUCHI AND MARK BALLAS Season 6 Week 1. I must apologize, because I’ve been misspelling her name, and I’m too lazy to go back and correct them all… Normally, misspelling names really bothers me. They danced a foxtrot, and the song isn’t in the info… (Heidi’s Note: Michael Buble’s “The More I See You” according to Wiki)
Kristi was stronger out of the gate i think but both were amazing in week one. If I remeber correctly at the time Kristi has the highest score for a celb in week one at the time as well. I think Helio definately benefitted from having Julianne who had him up his game week by week due to Mel B and Marie who had huge fan bases. Kristi was the biggest ringer the show ever had but its ok because she was amazing and probably one of the nicest celebrities I have seen on the show. She seems like the kind of person that would have a conversation with fans if she ran into on the street.
Thanks Lori… Helio was one of my favorites and taking me back to his premiere was such a treat. With that same link I was able to watch their other dance performances as well. Helio was super charming and fun to watch. Julianne and Helio were the perfect pairing.
As far Kristie shes great, but never really watched too many of her performances. Whenever Mark is dancing thats my time to fold laundry or let the dog out.
They were both great and it was brilliant that they were doing the same dance which really allows you to compare them. Kristi may have been technically the best, but Helio make the whole room light up and for me was the more enjoyable dance to watch. It’s funny because I was rooting for Mel B that season, but you couldn’t help warm to Helio – definitely helped by Julianne. The two of them are lovely and obviously having a real ball. Their freestyle is such good fun – despite not being technically the best.
Two worthy champions!
PS – I’ve just read your posts on the two seasons Heidi – can’t wait to read the next one. Think most people’s comments sum up how I feel about this post. Season 5 was really exciting with lots of great dancers and Helio, Mel B and Jennie have dances that I choose to rewatch. Season 6 was very forgettable. Kristi had the skill but not the personality to dazzle. She did deserve to win, but I only remember her jive and freestyle looking back.
Thanks, Lisa. I’m going to try to make a dent in it this weekend. 🙂
Season 6 was one of my favorites. I thought Kristie and Mark were a handsome couple. She was elegant and had fluid lines and precise technique. Mark dressed her perfectly. I especially liked her Paso Doble dress and Rumba costume and both Cha Cha Cha dresses. Their V. Waltz was beautiful as well.