DWTS 15 All-Stars: The Great “Previous Dance Experience” Debate – Apolo Ohno Edition
Today we continue our series with season 4 winner Apolo Ohno – and if you’re still playing catch-up, be sure to check out our previous editions featuring Kelly Monaco, Emmitt Smith, Drew Lachey, & Joey Fatone 
For Apolo’s best dance, I picked his samba – which I still think is the best samba from a contestant that we’ve ever seen on DWTS:
For his worst dance, I picked the ill-advised Pulp Fiction jive he & Julianne did:
I think the most obvious advantage that jumps out at me when I watch these videos is chemistry – Apolo & Julianne had FANTASTIC chemistry, and I think that helped carry them through week after week. The question is: can he forge that same chemistry with Karina? If he can, then I think these two could be frontrunners this season. Apolo’s obviously got some natural rhythm and is comfortable moving his body, so Karina’s definitely got something to work with. However, Apolo’s Achilles’ heel (hehe) does seem to be really refined footwork – I saw instances in both his samba & his jive (ESPECIALLY his jive) where he just seems to put his feet wherever they feel comfortable, and the end result looks a bit confused and purposeless. POINT YOUR TOES, APOLO! I also think his showmanship could use a little work – Apolo mentions in samba rehearsals that he’s used to keeping a “poker face” in speed skating, so it’s hard for him to really use his face to emote. He did pretty well in season 4, but I still saw a few instances of “poker face” – especially if he wasn’t quite sure of what he was doing and was trying to regain his bearings…I noticed it in his jive, whenever he seemed to foul up. With such big personalities like Joey & Kirstie around this season, I think Apolo is going to have to really work on projecting a BIG personality on the floor – he’s got the range of motion, now he just needs the range of personality 
I also hope that Karina is able to strike a nice balance between dancing well and not outdancing Apolo – as much as I loved Julianne with Apolo, I do think there were times that she really outshined him, and I noticed it big time in their samba. I do think Karina is a pro that is able to find that right balance, though, so I think that’s an advantage.
Court’s verdict: Definitely one to watch, especially if he can forge a good chemistry with Karina & clean up his footwork – and if he can bring enough personality to the table to compete with big personalities like Joey & Kirstie
So what are your thoughts on Apolo? Does he have the juice to go all the way?
Loved these! I know everyone loves their samba, but I adored Apolo and Julianne’s quicksteps. Particularly their second one. I think their chemistry really helped them along with memorable dances. I remember rumors that Apolo’s win was the biggest in dwts history. Of course that was before Kristi or Donny but I can believe it. I really liked season four in general too. I think Karina has improves a lot as a pro so excited to see them together.
I really loved Apolo in his season, and I have to say I’m a little disappointed in this pairing with Karina. Time will tell, and my affection, and respect, for Karina has grown over the seasons, but for some reason I don’t see much chemistry. It is very very early in the season, so we’ll see. I so hope I’m wrong – I like both of them, but just don’t see it yet. Their partnership photo didn’t do anything to change my mind.
Apolo is a subdued kind of guy. That cool, zen, Olympian kind of calm that a lot of them have. I think when they start to interact, they will come across well. Both are driven and unless he gets too opinionated about the wrong things, I think they’ll do pretty well. He does look like he has bulked alot, could hinder his movements, maybe. She looks great, as usual, he looks awkward in their shot..but I think they’ll be a strong pairing.
I just love these two. I think Apolo is going to fantastic. Paired with Karina, watch out. I think these two will be in the finals and maybe even when the whole thing.
LOVE these Court. Good job again!!
This is my pick to win the whole thing!! (subject to change) hehe! Seriously though Apolo and Karina just might set this ballroom in a frenzy.
Sure there will be a whole lotta comparison with this pairing to Julianne, but a few weeks into this competition, this pairing will become one of its own. The Apolo syndrome will mesmerize the ladies once again.
Really enjoying this series, thanks Courtney!
Here’s another of my favorite couples. Can’t wait for the season to start!
I’m going to be totally honest, I liked their samba, but I can’t really say I cared for it other than the fact it was fun and had some nice hip action. His hands and arms were bothering me a great portion through his samba. There were spots that his hands discontinued his lines and sometimes his arms moved very awkwardly. I also didn’t really feel a lot of bounce action going on.
But I’m not going to be all negative, I still thought it was a very good samba. His hip rhythm and hip action were fantastic, especially in the walk. I just can’t get myself to love this dance as much as so many others do.
Sorry about the long speech about that. I just always feel the need to speak how I feel about this samba. But back on the real topic. I think he can do really well, especially if he and Karina can connect. I also think the details that Apolo seemed to struggle with at times will be refined much better than in season 4, when the judges didn’t seem to be quite as nitpicky. The standard is much higher now, so I think we’ll REALLY see even more from Apolo. I think we’ll see those details come together and he can probably end up being a fantastic dancer instead of just a good one. I agree too that he does need to work on his showmanship. I feel like he is totally there with Julianne all the time, but there are times where I think he loses the audience. We’ll have to see what happens with he and Karina. Hope they do well!
I just love Apolo! I love his cuteness, his smile, his personality and his energy. I also loved his quickstep with Julianne and I have high hopes for him this season IF he and Karina can find chemistry somewhere. I have a funny hunch that our two driven-to-succeed Olympic gold-medalists, Apolo and Shawn, just might give each other a run for the MBT. What an exciting race this will be!
I am afraid I do not see the chemistry yet, but really, really hope they will surprise me. I liked Apollo during his season, but everything will be different now, good luck to both Apollo and Karina.
I totally agree with everything you said, Courtney. Hope they can find the chemistry to go far!
Apolo & Julianne were adorable together. I love how Apolo was so in sync with Julianne. His movements msy not hsve been perfect but his timing was…i enjoyed his 2 quicksteps the most.
I love Apolo! Admittedly, I was a huge Apolianne fan & still think that they are one of the best couples to be on the show. Let me just say one thing, Apolo was very raw in the beginning. Carrie Ann was right in that he had the most potential out of the cast. IMO, paired with adorable very young new pro Julianne Hough & Julianne creating some incredible and memorable choreography that season made Apolo really stand out. If I remember correctly, Joey and Laila were killing it week after week since the beginning to the point where Julianne was really pushing Apolo to get 10s in week 5 (samba week) bc others had already received 10s. Let me just say it… I think Apolo won that season because he had Julianne as a partner and they shined so brightly together.
Now, I do think that Karina will be a fantastic partner for him and create some amazing choreography (we’ve seen it with Ralph & JR), but I am wondering what their chemistry/dynamic is going to be like. Apolo comes across as a very serious and intense guy (but very nice & friendly, as well), but Julianne brought out this goofy, little boy side of him. Karina is like the tough, no-nonsense Russian teacher that tends to get some really goofy partners that soften her up.
Anyways, I predict them to at least get to the finals… He’s one of the most popular Olympians in US history, he has a seriously devoted female fanbase, he actually can dance, and he’s a super hard-worker. Oh, have I mentioned that I met him…
A complete sweetheart!
Apolo is one of my top three right now, along with Joey and Shawn. Karina has lightened
My fav dance from him is his paso. That in my opinion is the best paso the show ever has shown. Agreed about his jive. its odd and i don’t get why the show allowed it not once but twice (erin and maks)
Yes, Apolo’s “performance values” might be a bit understated compared to Kirstie and Joey; but for me, I’ll take a more reserved performance with technique over a lot of flashy mugging for the audience and camera. Hopefully, this time Apolo will be able to focus on both performance and refining his footwork.
He was “cute” with Julianne. I hope he and Karina find a different connection; one that’s still fun but more mature, and maybe even a little bit sensual.
I have high hopes for this pairing. Fingers crossed they come through.