Derek Hough and Maria Menounos Talk “The Kiss”
I promised Vogue that I would start helping by cross posting the Derek and Maria stuff to this site to take a bit of the load off. Easy for me to do since Derek fans (shout out to Elmari) very kindly send me links to things all the time . In case I don’t say it often enough – thank you! 
I wish this was my full time job sometimes, but alas…
Anyway, Zap2It has an article on Derek and Maria where Derek says that he normally agrees with the judges about keeping it subtle and about how he was worried that Maria had broken her nose (among other things):
We asked Menounos and Hough about that controversial — and hot — moment. Hough says, “Last time I kissed her chin. Last time I failed basically so she gave me a chance to redeem myself.” Oh, he did! Anyone want to turn on the air conditioning?
The judges thought it went too far. Hough says, “No it’s funny because I am actually that guy, I’m the guy where it’s like don’t give it to us, like suggest it and I prefer that. But tonight it was like, it was just fun, we were like let’s just do it. The song was such a big build I’m like we have to do something, we can’t just do a dip, can’t just take the shirt off everybody does that, and she was like what if we just make out? I was like, ‘Uh okay!’”
Menounos had been plagued with injuries, but like we said earlier, the woman is a cylon. She’s not only danced through the pain, but she’s excelled at it. This week, she fell on her chin. Hough says, “That’s what happened. When she fell on her face earlier this week I was, I thought we were done. I thought she broke her nose, her teeth are on the floor, her ribs are all broken, she can’t breath and then luckily she was like oh, I’m okay.”
On the Red Carpet – Derek and Maria have a Motown Foxtrot next week.
Thanks Vogue!
LOL they are so cute! And thanks Miss! This helps a lot!!!
Oh good, I was afraid you wouldn’t see it before I left for the day.
Yep, got it.
Have a good day, Miss, and don’t work too hard.
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I have seen a little grumbling here and there about “the kissing” but mostly IMO, people loved it. Look, I find a couple this hot and with lots of stuff in common, much more believable and fun with what they do than the “over-the-top and BELIEVE-I-am-so-sexy” stuff the show, the media, Cheryl and everyone is trying to sell us with Wm. Or–the sweet, pure as the driven snow, limpness of Katherine. I have tried, just CAN’T believe her. Or Jaleel who is trying to convince us that he is someone other than what we are percieving from his remarks and actions.
Maria is handling this just like she has a lot of the other things she has thrown herself into. The 2 of them seem to be in the moment, having a blast, Xcept for the injuries, having fun and trying to enjoy the experience. I am happy for both of them and say, go for it, WHATEVER you feel like doing.
mimi – You and I are so on the same page!
What is the diffence between Cheryl always trying to open Willy’s shirt (and him looking very uncomfortable about it) and Maria & Derek playing to what the crowd wanted?
I am so curious about blogs I have read about the audience being told to get all excited about Willy.
Jaleel can go and miss Welsh rabbit can go promote her album. Expressionless faces are OK for singing.
Loved the salsa…Maria and Derek have the best chemistry and are fun to watch…..Katherine and Mark have no chemistry and his hat really did not go with that dance…
go Maria and Derek…..the kiss was fun and think all their fans loved it!
I agree….Katherine is so fake, Maria need to keep her eyes on Katherine because she is trying to act like she is Maria friend,but all along she trying to get her hooks into Derek.
Mimi, I have heard a lot of grumblings too
many “casual voters” said they don’t care for the fake showmance aspect they are going for (apparently in their opinions), and they voted for Katherine and some for Donald (because they feel Len short-changed him). Most of these people claim they only use phone votes though.
What I really wish is that a lot of people who are speculating possible fake shomance when it comes to Maria and Derek had actually experienced what it is like to be in dance for a while, competing or amateur. They would then realize that what they are seeing is probably more about reality and does happen at times, esp. in rehearsals (or it comes close in rehearsals). Then when you get in front of a screaming audience and you can “Feel” the dance and music, you may have real or slight feelings for your partner -kisses, sometimes tears, happen. In REAL competition, it’s a no-no but for show or exhibition dancing, happens sometimes.
And now my CAI, completely biased comment—Derek and those white pants! ! Let’s just say, I find it very hard to concentrate every time he wears them….so I always have to go back and watch those dances alot before I really know what was in them.
I can’t believe I’m defending Mark and I’ve said this before, but, I’m liking him this season. I think he’s taken a page from Derek in the class department. His choreography so far is excellent. I love Katherine as well. I think she is a lovely person in and out and is bringing out the best of him. It’s funny how he seems to be a reflection of his partners every season with the good and the bad.
@Vogue – You must be coming down with something, you better go lie down…. LOL
I get what you are saying, I am not a Mark fan by any means, but I find him quite tolerable this season. He seems more laid back and content.
Yes, Markie does seem laid back this season…. I guess that’s what a girlfriend AND a ringer will do for you.
#Sally
LLLOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLL!!! Yes, quite a calming recipe !
I think Derek has the most electrifying chemistry with Maria out of all his partners. I love that she is fearless and goes for it. She is also not a quitter and will do anything to keep her body together to keep on dancing with Derek. I didn’t really know much about her before she got on DWTS, but now I am a true fan! I personally think if Carrie Ann didn’t criticize them, the kiss would not have been such a hot(ter) topic. But I guess since Maks isn’t bringing in the controversy this season, Derek has graciously stepped in… =/ Haha… I agree that Mark has calmed down this season, must be the influence of Katherine. On the other hand, Maria seems to have turned Derek into a tiger this season. I’ve never seen him so aggressive… and happy.
Derek is in lurv, my friends. Plain as the cute grin on his face. Feeling seems to be mutual – Maria’s boyfriend beware! Unless they’re all incredibly good actors and working the voting pool like the Pro we all know Derek is. There is that, I suppose. I see a (seemingly) genuine I’ve-got-the-hots-for-you-baby-big-time vibe flowing in both directions. Impossible to hide, so might as well go with it. It will certainly garner the votes.
I don’t have any problem with Maria and Derek’s whatever as it appears to be mature and consensual and they are having a lot of fun. On the other end of the spectrum, I LMAO at Roshon’s words about and antics toward Chelsie, as they seem so scripted and they’re my favorites this season. Just Dance!!!
Peeking in for a moment to say – Elmari, you’re right. Derek is very aggressive and very happy. I can’t remember when I’ve seen him like this either. Thank god he broke out of that Cheryl Cole doldrums he was in for about a year. And I do think he has a case for Maria.
Okay, gotta go again – if anyone has questions about the number post that just went up, sorry, my brain is fried from thinking about it and I’ll try to answer them later.
Sandy, I know. I think I need my temperature taken. lollll
Heidi, hurry up and get home! I’m off to see the number post now.
So the question is Miss H. : Does Maria have a case for Derek? Linde thinks so and so do I, although “the boyfriend” lurks in the background. He’s there. He went to church with Maria and her parents for Greek Easter last week.
This is a total “surmise” here but since several of you have mentioned this I would love to know what you think–you know we do this in our lives too, right. Speculating about friends relationships etc.
I think there is a definite spark between Derek and Maria. Anybody else been in a long term relationship? Things get a little “routine”, business might get mixed in, other family members get close to the guy….then you meet someone that you just seem to click with on every level? You resist a little, second-guess yourself, think a bout all the upheaval but you just can’t deny that you could be passing up something really significant. I think Maria might be there. And Derek, I think he liked her and felt easy with her immediately. If everything we know about the 2 of them is accurate it seems perfect. I think someone a “little” older would be perfect for him and I think their careers would be a good fit and they would be great for one another on so many levels. I don’t think her career ambitions would encrouch on his or vice versa. I don’t think she would treat him like “a member of her entourage” and he could pursue whatever ambitions he chose to and would be a huge asset. She is also ready to have kids which he has also said and the Hollystarlets his age are more about their “careers”. Also don’t think he’d be aggressive about it but in a way I wish he would because that could push her enough to decide to make changes.
Wish it were true, cause I really like them both but again JMO based on the little we all know. Anyone else ???
ooops, let me clarify, I was trying not to ramble. When I said I did not think he’d be aggressive, I did NOT mean about the kids thing….I meant I don’t think he would push for a relationship without an “All’s clear” from her.
Derek clearly has a thing for Maria. I think Maria reallly enjoys the flirtation with Derek and even encourages it, but nothing will ever become of it. She is in a relationship that is basically a marriage. Very long term, they own property and businesses together. The Derek and Maria thing will only last as long as they are on the show. Then things are back to normal for her in her very settled life.
Hell, her boyfriend is now granting interviews to Wetpaint about the situation and about how secure and established their relationship is.
Heh – if he’s granting interviews to Wet Paint I would guess he’s really not that secure. Secure doesn’t drive you to the tabloids to report how great everything is. But you’re probably right. It is a shame though, as it seems that Derek and Maria are perfect for each other.
Here are my thoughts. I want to preface by saying I am in my 30s, very happily settled and dwts is a reality show I like to tune into for pure entertainment. I’ve watched every season and like any woman, i love the idea of romance and i feel like the power of dance can really make you feel like you are being swept up into epic love story between two characters on screen. You follow their journey through every dance and like any romance movie you want to be rewarded in the end when the couple you’ve voted for all season wins. It’s icing on the cake however, when that couple takes it off screen ( ie twilights Rob pattisonKristen stewart…) when that happens right before our eyes it makes that fictional love story even more delicious to watch because it’s real. It renews our faith in the human spirit and love “like the movies really can happen”. That being said these are my own observations about the situation. There is a language men and women speak more than any other language……BODY LANGUAGE!!!!! Ive been around the block enough to recognize it when i see it and heres the truth. Derek has it bad for Maria. From the moment they met, if you watch all the clips you can literally see him progressively fall for her. The way he looks at her and touches her ….he’s always grabbing her in a genuine loving way…he looks at her adoringly. The way he talks about her in interviews and how he uses those terms of endearment like “baby” when she fell and most other times. Derek IS acting like her boyfriend. Derek has never acted this close with any of his partners the way he does with Maria. Ricki brook Nicole and Jennifer were quoted as saying hey Derek you never kissed me like that when we were partners. In Derek’s interviews he’s asked what kind of girls he goes for and he said brunettes and olive skin!!! That is what he gravitates too. All of his twitter messages are always so personal with what him and Maria are doing, how he’s never laughed so much in all his life….Maria is Derek’s type. Exotic, sexy, sweet, goofy, athletic and family oriented. Everything he does and says all point to his attraction for Maria. You can’t cover it up. They rehearse longer than any other couple ever! There is truth when Derek says it is bc he wants to spend time with her. Every joke always has a ring of truth to it. There is no doubt in my mind Derek wants her to be his girlfriend. I don’t think her boyfriend enters into his mind at all. I think he’s going with the feeling and doesn’t care who knows or sees. I think she’s the perfect girl for him. He even retweeted someone’s collage of pics of them tghr and how many things they have in common OFF THE SET! Who does that???? It’s as if he believes them too! I think he can’t get enough of her even right down to the annoying laugh! He even has cute nicknames for her like GreekGoddess and baby. I’ve never seen a couple connect that well…even a dwts staffer said so. Bottom line is, Derek is putting out all the stops to win her over. Maria on the other hand is an interesting character. I’m Greek as well so I’m very familiar with the familial ties. I think Maria is really attracted to derek. Remember she met keven when she was 20!!!! He is the only guy she has been with….he’s 18 yrs older than her! He got her the connections in this business and helped her be a success. She loves keven no doubt. He’s all she knows and has known. In her mind she owes him her life….he also loves her and you can tell there is a lot of mutual respect and genuine love Btwn them as well. But I think they lack passion. When they were both on the Howard stern show it sounded like they didn’t even have an active sex life! This is common when you have only been with one guy most of your life. Maria had had no experience outside of keven…he’s getting up there in age and she’s in her sexual prime! When she was younger and keven was older it was forbidden and probably very passionate. Now he’s older and things definitely aren’t working the way they used to and she’s become hotter than ever and more confident in her body image. I think she’s curious about Derek. I think she adores him and did not expect to feel this way and she’s torn. Here’s why I say this. Did you see her good day live interview??? Watch how she’s crying when she watches that rhumba. Listen to what she said…she said Derek is amazing! That it was HIS idea for the violins and lighting bc they were by the sunset tghr by the pool and he wanted that in their dance…. The way she described him and the sheer romantic sexiness of that dance? THAT is why she was crying. They probably shared an intimate moment by the sunset and that dance reminded her of what she knows logically can never be. Maria is loyal. Maria thinks with her head. She would never leave keven to test the waters with Derek. It’s too risky and fleeting in her mind. Keven is her rock… He’s solid and she genuinely loves him. But there is a fiery passion that has ignited Btwn her and Derek and it can’t be ignored. EVERYONE sees it!!!! Carriesnn bruno, ricki, Tom b etc… That kind of body language you can’t ignore!!! So I believe Derek and Maria are putting it out there and teasing and flirting with the audience bc it’s the only way they can give into what’s really going on. They are falling for each other in front of our eyes. Derek wants her to leap with her heart and go for it( this explains a lot of those cryptic tweets as of late) and Maria won’t. Maria’s head is telling Derek it won’t happen but her body is a different story. This also explains Derek’s so called interest on Katherine. I don’t buy it at all…. I think derek flirts w Katherine bc he wants it to get under Maria’s skin….and it probably does. I think he’s frustrated with her mixed signals. Also I’m Greek and not marrying someone after 13 yrs of dating??? Greek people don’t do that. There is a reason they aren’t married!!! I also agree with the other poster that said keven is so private yet all of a sudden he’s doing interviews about how great their relationship is????hmmmm sounds a bit insecure to me. Anyway didn’t mean for this to be so long but I think it’s so sad if Maria and Derek don’t explore what is obviously there. She may be missing out:(
Ldwtsfan, cool post! If not already, you should be writing romance novels. Seriously. You put it all into words and story form so beautifully. Like you and so many others, I wouldn’t be surprised if everything you write is true. Some of the pictures at PurederekHough.com captured so many things you’ve written too. The longing looks, the happiness, etc!!
Wow! Everything you wrote is so true,Ldwtsf, especially the things about the Greek family. I have a friend who is Greek and it’s exactly as you say it is.
I wonder if Kevin sees what others are seeing. Does he really believe that it’s just like “acting”, as he tells Wetpaint? I wonder if they will have a discussion after the shows ends. Even if it’s just love on Derek’s side of things (and I don’t think it’s just one-sided), there has to be some serious discussion around that with her BF, I would hope!
Well, I don’t know about all the rest of it, but I will say that Derek seems happier than he’s been in a very long time. As for the acting – only on the dance floor. They seem pretty close off it.
Lol@vogurista thanks. I just saw those grove photos of both of them….how can two people have so much chemistry just by walking side by side? So gorgeous!!!!
Wow.. Ldwtsfan, that was a quite an interesting post to read. I think you have pretty much covered every angle that has entered my mind. LOL! Great post!
Ldwtsfan, I totally agree, you wrote the post like you were reading my mind, from day one, I have said what you have written, not in such a lovely way. I think from the look on Mark Ballas’s face, he is thinking the same thing. Thank you once again.
# Ldwtsfan all i can say, after reading your post for the 4th time is wow!!! i think at one point we all thought that…and we all saw what you so beautiful are describing…i couldn’t agree more…and yes..i made the collage about the stuff they have in common..based on their body languages too…Thank you for saying what you said in such a beautiful way!
Oh no problem guys I’m just glad I’m not alone in my thinking lol ! Elara that collage was gorgeous!!!!
# Ldwtsfan thank you!! i just love them!! they inspire me! your post was amazing too!