DWTS Judge Carrie Anne Inaba Talks Of Chemistry Some More On KTLA (Video)
Judge Carrie Ann Inaba went on KTLA today to discuss the fall from her chair on Dancing With The Stars this past week. She also discussed some of the contestants “chemistry”. She says Gilles and Peta could win the competition because of their chemistry, sexiness, etc.. She also says Derek and Shawn have a “chemistry” in a different “electrifying” and “magical” way. She also goes on again about Karina and Apolo and how they lack chemistry and how they haven’t found their “common point” yet. She ends the interview talking about her pet causes and how she’s auctioning two tickets for the Dancing With The Stars finale. More in detail below.
Geez, I don’t know what her deal is with Apolo and Karina? Enough already. Though, no doubt, this criticism is making them work even harder right now. Did you all see this pic Karina posted on twitter yesterday?
HOT!!!
“She says Gilles and Peta could win the competition because of their chemistry, sexiness,”
What a joke, she is so bling by him that she can see straight, this two have no chemistry IMO, when you have two in your face sexy people is so easy for people to say that they have chemistry , even when they don’t really have non. like Shirley said, he is so into him that Peta is more like a prop than a partner.
Gilles & Peta’s chemistry is OK, but not so fantastic they should win the competition. I love Shawn & Derek’s chemistry, whether it’s fun like the quickstep or romantic like the rumba. And Apolo & Karina’s chemistry? Their foxtrot, people. Their foxtrot. Hot.
WTH is her problem? Just b/c someone is half-naked doesn’t mean they have chemistry with their partner. Usually she always has some kind of bias towards select male contestants, but it’s becoming more and more obvious each season.
“She says Gilles and Peta could win the competition because of their chemistry, sexiness, etc..” So dancing has nothing to do with winning this competition? Just develop a “chemistry” and the judge will score you on it. Easy, why do all the work of learning to dance?
Now for Shawn and Derek, she says they “have a “chemistry” in a different “electrifying” and “magical” way.” That’s because they are doing electrifying and magical dances! That magic is happening on the dance floor. Because of that, they are being scored on a higher difficulty standard than judging whose pants you want to get into. Just be a stripper pole and hold the pro up while she twirls and writhes, and you too can get a 10!
Luckily for us, Shawn and Derek are not taking the easy way. They are putting the work in to create a dance each week that is memorable and beautiful. In week 5, they brought us an unforgettable Rumba that touches your very soul. It’s only mid-season and I can’t wait to see how they will top that! I hesitate to call the Rumba my favorite, because I said that about the Mambo, also the Quickstep, well, also the Jive, and there was the Foxtrot. I know next week’s Cha Cha will bring another emotion as they continue to amaze.
I would love this season to go on forever just to see what Derek will bring us next. I feel that his dances are like a beautifully wrapped present. The anticipation to open the gift (Shawn & Derek are next to dance). You untie the bow (You watch the rehearsal package), open the lid and your heart leaps with joy (The performance leaves you overwhelmed with his generosity of gifting us with his incomparable vision and amazing talents). You have witnessed another masterpiece.
Sorry, I know this is way off topic, but CAI makes me crazy with her idea of judging these dances. BTW, I sent a tweet to her to help clarify the “rule” for her. When she fell, Gilles lifted her to her feet. If she fell to the left, Len would have caught her. That is the difference between a lift and a catch.
Notes to DWTS producers
On Mondays you need to take the crack pipe away from CAI
I understand that Barks & Bitches might allow you to adopt a Seeing Eye Dog for Len . You need to make this adoption immediately!!
See…i didn’t take her comments about Gilles that strongly- yes she said they were sexy, etc but if you listen to her tone and intonation (did i use the right word?!) LOL…she doesn’t sound like she wants Gilles to necessarily win- i did feel differently when she talked about Derek and Shawn though…she got excited and her voice changed….call me crazy but i don’t think she loves Gilles as much as everyone thinks. As for Apolo…maybe people are comparing more because him and Julianne hit it off and had crazy chemistry? I kinda agree with her there- yes the foxtrot was good, but something is a little off, like they haven’t had that dance yet where i was like wow, they are going to win this thing…shirley agreed too that they haven’t hit their stride yet.
Linz, I hope Derek gets to read your beautiful tribute.
I know I’ve said this on repeat lately, but, I can’t help it. + 1 ALL!!!!!!!
And Joey, you are right too. Her tone did sound a little less enthused on Gilles, but, not by much. I loved what she said about Derek and Shawn too.
I do have to admit, I laughed when Len & Bruno laughed and didn’t help her up, but I like that she laughed at herself. It made her a little more likable this season.
Wow, Linz that was beautiful!!! ITA, its like you’re reading my mind.-lol
Would love for Shawn & Derek to read your comments. Thanks for sharing them with all of us.
Their next dance is Cha Cha which is very cheeky and fun! Plus we’ve seen pictures of Derek sporting a cowboy hat. Aww, I see another epic performance in the works.
Forget Carrie A. this is going to be a great week.
Vogue, she was quite complimentary towards Shawn & Derek. Funny, from her comments, I didn’t feel like she thought Giles would win-LOL
I’m not sure about Sherly being a judge, she has a great credentials, one of the most decorated female in ballroom in the world. But having saying that she also is a marmite.
She is a complicate character, she can be very moody. And she doesn’t take critics very well, especially when she does choreographed something.
Len Goodman can be a pain sometimes but he is the most experience judges in ballroom competition.
For Apollo was going to be hard since the beginning since everyone expecting the same chemistry he had with Julianne. And also they were going to compare.
Personally I like him with Karina, because Karina somehow has teaching to work in his technique. I know people prefer the performer, and he is not actor, but I bet he will bring that in his softer dances. I don’t think Chelsee would be better partner with him, like people says, her choreography is sometimes very boring. Anna is the same, except when she has a comedy guy with her.
Karina who me over when she was partner with that Aaron guy, because he was a very difficult character to handle but she produce a quality Jive and quicksteps that I doubt other professional would. I know a lot of people don’t like her, but I think you are lucky to have her there. I wish she was in the UK.
I know I’m probably in the minority, but personally, I like Apollo better with Karina. I get that Karina isn’t as bubbly as Julianne, but she focuses more on teaching the technique of the dance. As much as I loved Julianne, she also sometimes strayed toward the arena of dancing around her partner. This season, you can actually see how much Apollo’s improved as a dancer. He moves more, and I do think it’s a result of Karina’s coaching.
Does anyone know when or why Carrie Ann was at the rehearsal studio? The KAT TALES youtube is dated today, but I know that doesn’t necessarily mean it was shot today. I was curious since it shows CAI and Apolo hugging in the parking lot.
You’re not alone, Sara – I firmly believe that Apolo is far better now with Karina than he was 11 seasons ago with Julianne, both in terms of his strength as a dancer as well as his connection to his partner. I’m honestly rather baffled as to why some thought his chemistry with Julianne was better – I personally found her to be rather disingenuous & “fake flirty” with pretty much all of her partners, and I don’t think she ever had a genuine chemistry with any of them…hell, I don’t even buy that she’s genuinely attracted to Seacrest. I think her “chemistry” with her partners was basically just all for show, and I notice it more now, looking back at older episodes, because I think we’ve had so many couples with far more genuine chemistry since her early seasons. Kelly & Louis, Derek & Nicole, Kirstie & Maks…I’d say all of the above are couples with far better chemistry, & none of them even had to play the romance card. Now Karina is someone that I think has grown accustomed to really throwing herself headlong into a partnership – I find her to be far more open, vulnerable, & genuine with her feelings than Julianne could probably ever hope to be. And I find Apolo & Karina’s attraction to be far more believable than he ever was with Julianne. There’s a genuine heat there. I challenge anyone who thinks otherwise to watch Apolo & Julianne’s rumba, and then watch Apolo & Karina’s foxtrot, and tell me with a straight face that there was more heat in Apolo & Julianne’s dance. Go ahead 🙂
What’s even more baffling to me is that I didn’t even hear anyone (except Karina’s detractors, and a homophobic troll insisting that Apolo is gay) really complaining about Apolo & Karina’s lack of chemistry until after Carrie Ann pointed it out – and now it seems like people are coming out of the woodwork saying it. If Carrie Ann is suddenly convincing viewers she’s a credible judge, then maybe I hope the Mayans were right about December 21… 😯
I like Apolo with Karina better as well. He’s definitely a much better dancer this year, and their interviews are always funny with a lot of unforced chemistry. I like this more grown-up Apolo, and I think Karina is the perfect compliment for him. Don’t know what others are talking about. And Carrie Ann herself was raving about their sexy foxtrot just a couple of weeks ago, so I don’t even know what her motivation is to keep harping on this, except it makes me worry the fix is in and this is the tactic to get him out of Gilles way.
I think Apolo and Julianne were great back in season 4 (my favorite couple that season – and I was not a shipper), and I think Apolo and Karina are great now. He’s grown a lot as a person since he first did the show, and he’s more mature. I think they (A&K) have great chemistry – I guess for some people, it isn’t translating well on the dance floor.
*steps out of her woodwork* This is how I see it. And you can label me as a Karina Detractor, I suppose, because I’ve made no secret of the fact that I’ve disliked her for years. But I have given this some thought and am doing my best to be objective. My opinion is… Apolo and Julianne had chemistry – a teenage type chemistry much like the prom king and queen would have. It was young and it was wholesome but not really very steamy. What I see from Karina and Apolo so far, for the most part is that they are friends. They get along, they laugh together, they cry together and they appreciate each other. The only time I saw actual sexual chemistry, this heat, the steamy stuff that I expect from them, was in that foxtrot. Other than that, it’s just not there yet for me. I want it to be, because I really like Apolo, but other than the foxtrot, I’ve not felt it yet. Now, looking at those pictures that have come out of the studio the past couple of days… they may have found it, because those pics are hot. The big difference between the two women is that Julianne is the perky, blonde cheerleader and Karina is the sultry, smokey, dancer. I don’t know that it makes any sense to anyone but me, but there you go.
I loved him him Julianne, they had “magic” i guess, for lack of better words. But I also love him with Karina as well, they are my second favorite couple this season, and I think they had great chemistry.
Courtney I totally agree about the Ryan Secreast commentary, they are such a odd couple, zero chemistry. But I totally see your point about her chemistry with her partners being fake, the thing about Apolo and her was more then just the chemistry for me, I loved their partnership ( rumba was probably their worst dance).
Actually when it comes to chemistry and Julianne, the person that I actually always loved watching her dancing with, was Mark, they did some pros dance together, and I always loved when they dance together, maybe the fact that she was his first love and danced together for ages play a part on that.
Courtney, I didn’t see Julianne and Apollo’s chemistry as genuine either. I don’t think it was fake necessarily, but it didn’t come across as natural or easy. Julianne, I think, often got by on her personality. She was the fun, smiley, bubbly blonde–that’s how people saw her, and she played that up. At times though, you could see that Apollo was uncomfortable with her forwardness. With Karina, I get the feeling that, in addition to heat, there’s a mutual level of respect. Karina doesn’t rely on flirtiness in her dances. She makes her partners work, and I think Apollo appreciates that more than he did Julianne’s flirty choreography.
I honestly think the most genuinely touching moments of the season were when Apollo comforted Karina during their hip-hop week. Not just after the performance, but throughout the whole week. Usually it’s the pros grounding the celebs, but you could see that Apollo was her rock during that week, and they didn’t even have to discuss it. He automatically understood her desire to do well and knew how to help her through the stress.
Also, on a completely different, completely shallow note, I think Apollo looks so much hotter with the dark, sultry, smokey, dancer than he did with the perky blonde cheerleader. Just my aesthetic opinion.
I think it’s very odd that when she speaks of Gilles and Peta she doesn’t focus on dancing, but their “connection.” Truth be told their rumba was not that good and she knows it.
I liked Julianne and Apolo together – they were cute, and they had fun together, but I love Apolo and Karina. Granted, she’s my favorite female pro and he’s probably in my top three all-time celebs (if not number one) so I’m not surprised that I like them together – but I like them even more than I thought I would.
I agree with Courtney that Julianne always has an element of contrivance about her and that she is pretty self-centered. I still like Julianne, and I think she’s great at selling things to the general public, but I never bought into it. By contrast, I think Karina has become one of the more genuine pros on the show and invests a great deal of herself into her partner.
Gilles and Peta’s chemistry is forced. Forced by Gilles and Peta, forced down our throats by TPTB. It’s too much. Yes, it’s clear, they will be in the finals. I get it. But at least don’t play down Karina and Apolo’s partnership. They are hardworking, commited, smoking hot, their choreo and dances are awesome, and I think they match each other very well, and they get along very well. If that#s not chemistry… I don’t know. I Love them. Derek and Shawn as well, their dances are phenomenal.
I may be biased 🙂 but my vote goes to Apolo and Karina, to me, this is a more mature Apolo and a much more seasoned Karina, and I think chemistry just oozes from these two.
Um, I think the only reason Julianne is with Seacrest is… drumroll please.. $$$$$$$ and opportunities and $$$$$$.
Talk about “chemistry” honestly always makes me a little uncomfortable especially when one or both of the dancers have significant others, since the line between dance chemistry and real life chemistry often seems to get confused. I know that the line gets blurred by fans and maybe it does by the dancers as well. I would imagine it is one of the reasons dancers have such a hard time maintaining relationships.
In the case of Karina and Apolo, I think they have a really great friendship developing. They seem to understand each other, work in similar ways and respect each other a lot. I think they both also enjoy flirting with each other in interviews. I also think they have fine dance chemistry, which is built out of that mutual respect and caring. I wish Carrie Ann would shut up about it, since I don’t see any problem there.
I did watch Season 4, and I still think Apolo and Julianne had something different and special. I can understand people thinking it was just Julianne’s nature and they stood out only because they were both new to us. I just think there was some special “discovery” chemistry between them that was pretty genuine and that was what people noticed and were excited to watch develop. I did go back and watch their rumba again. At the end there is a man in the audience (I think it might be Apolo’s father), who says “oh wow”. I guess I still feel that way.
While I refuse to EVER agree with Carrie Ann, I didn’t feel anything especially steamy between Karina and Apolo in the foxtrot, just like I never got anything steamy between Apolo and Julianne. I think Apolo was really hot but I didn’t pick up on an amazing heat between them. I still don’t think their dance chemistry is lacking in any way; I thought they played the roles really well in the foxtrot. I thought a certain distance between them was meant as part of the dance, since Karina was playing the part of a statue who came to life for only a moment. I found the foxtrot memorable for lots of reasons and mature Apolo was certainly one of them. I do think we might be seeing steamy this week and that should be fun. It’s great to see different types of chemistry and I think Apolo’s two pairings are proof of that. I enjoy them both.
I’m so glad I get to read lots of different opinions here. I tend to think there was something more “organic” about the Apolo/Julianne connection but I’m also enjoying the more mature one Apolo has with Karina.
I think that Apolo and Karina have great chemistry. But then I don’t think that Julianne ever tried for a “flirty romantic” chemistry with Apolo. Even Apolo was totally put off by having to do a rumba with her – Jules had to bring in Derek to talk to Apolo (or the producers wanted Derek on camera, whatever) about dancing rumba. I think any “romance” was entirely a construct by the shippers in the audience. Those people were CRAZY.
I get the feeling that Apolo & Julianne are one of those couples from the early seasons that tend to get put on pedestals, since they represented some kind of “first” in the history of the show – similar to how Drew & Cheryl’s “Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)” freestyle is sacred to some. But like many of the early favorites in the history of the show, I don’t know that they necessarily stand the test of time…and I do see that some fans seem to be really reluctant to criticize them or take them down off that pedestal. But honestly, after re-watching season 4 on GSN earlier this year, I fail to see the “magic” between them that so many are referring to – maybe my standards have just gotten higher since back then, but I don’t see that special spark anymore. I saw a far more profound “magical” connection between Kelly & Louis, that I feel changed both of them for the better; ditto for Kirstie & Maks. I even saw more magic between Gavin & Karina. Not saying Apolo & Julianne didn’t have a connection – I’m just failing to see the same special spark that some of you are. Guess in retrospect, I just see more of a brother-sister vibe between them, while I see a more romantic chemistry between Apolo & Karina. I also see Karina as more the type to “take a bit of each partner with her” after every season – each one seems to impact her in some way in the long run. Julianne? Not so much.
And Sandy, you aren’t the only one that thinks Julianne has become a bit of a Honey Boo Boo – cause a dolla certainly seems to make her holla these days. And I think that’s what really makes me question how genuine she was in those early days – she seems quite good at “putting on a show” with her emotions, but when you take a closer look, you see that she has some pretty big walls up. I’ve gleaned from some interviews she’s done that she’s lookin’ out for #1 and has no qualms with throwing people under the bus to make herself look good – including her brother. Sorry, but I just can’t see someone that does something like that as someone who can have a “genuine, magical” connection with her dance partner.
I wonder if they are setting Gilles up for a “shocking elimination”. Talking Gilles up and Apolo down (when I think it’s backwards) like this?? Makes me wonder. This show loves them some drama.
That could be my wishful thinking talking. 🙂
PH – allow me to wish along side you…
I adore Apolo and I’m voting my little heart out for him (new accounts created just for this season? Check!) but my friends and I were starting to notice the “something missing”. Now, we are of the party that fell in love with A&J during season 4, and I do believe they were lightening in a bottle. Maybe because of the discovery journey they were both on (as someone mentioned previously)
ITA that his relationship with Karina is one of total respect. And that the pictures released this week by Karina are just stunning in their heat. I’m just hoping that heat is present throughout the dance, and that “oomph” factor shows up. (Not that it’s going to change my voting if it doesn’t!)
For what it’s worth, I was a Gilles fan in Season 8. So not one now! I’m trying to watch the dances without prejudice, but I just can’t… *sigh*
I do think it’s Shawn’s and Derek’s to lose. They are freaking amazing together. Just want it to be an Olympian +1 final! lol
There certainly are huge differences between Derek and Julianne when it comes to temperament, goals and such. And I think you will find MANY Derek fans who have said the same thing about Julianne – that she doesn’t hesitate to throw Derek under the bus to get what she wants. Unfortunately (for him), Derek seems all too willing to LET her. Mark walked all over him a good bit too, there for a while. Big Brother complex.
I think in the simplest terms it’s this: Julianne = ambitious Derek = artist
Having known quite a few “artists” in my time, they can be the worst at self promotion, actually doing what needs to be done to make money off your art, etc. They are totally focused on their “art” and being creative. People who are ambitious often end up being more successful from a monetary standpoint, but less acclaimed for actual talent.
If you had asked me before this season which couple was my favorite out of all the seasons, I would have said Julianne and Apolo without any hesitation. However, now that Apolo has been partnered with Karina, I’ve rewatched some of Julianne’s and Apolo’s iconic dances and concluded that for many of them Apolo was merely an appendage to Julianne in the dance. Julianne was the focus of attention. Karina, in contrast, treats Apolo as an equal partner in the dance. His dancing has also improved considerably under her tutelage.
BTW, I lost all respect for Julianne when she tried to flirt with American Idol winner Phillip Phillips over Twitter. Putting aside the fact that she was “dating” Ryan Secrest, she knew Phillip had a girlfriend of longstanding. Phillip, being the Southern gentleman he is, politely declined to respond to her overtures.
And, yes, that is one hot picture of Karina and Apolo. Assuming that move is part of their Viennese Waltz, will they get unfairly slammed by Len for “rolling around on the floor.”
As an aside, I’ve always wondered if Derek helped Julianne out with her choreography that first season with Apolo because her choreography later was not as good (except for her quickstep with Helio). Of course it could also have been due to the fact that Apolo was the best dancer she had during the several seasons she was on DWTS.
Eh, I was dating a man for a long time and fangirled over hot singers all the time. That’s normal. IMO, Julianne gets a pass for being a fangirl once in a while – especially since she’s still VERY young.
Iris, the only reason Derek wasn’t actually ON that season with Apolo and Julianne is because he was committed to something else. They asked him and he turned it down. So, it’s kind of unlikely that he had too much time to spend helping Julianne, besides that one time.
cai would know chemistry ‘how’ because she just accepted an proposal from a man who she knew she would not marry and the entire relationship lasted a year from start to finish and she chases the ‘younger’ men, like 20 years younger.
cai is the bigges joke judge on TV, it use to be Paula but now is by miles cai.
YEAH Linz MNBonnie Bob Kate(the first part)Heidi(29)
Princess Heidi, I don’t have a problem with a fangirl posting a comment about how cute or sexy her celebrity crush is, but I do think it crosses the line when the fangirl actually addresses her comments directly to the celebrity crush and that crush is involved in a committed relationship at the time. And I can’t cut Julianne any slack because of her age. Twenty-four years old is old enough to know what is and is not appropriate behavior.
PH: I have also wondered if they are setting up Gilles to be a ‘shocking elimination’.
I am just not impressed with Gilles this time around; it is hard for me to believe that he has enough fans to take him into the finals. I still think the final three will be Emmitt, Shawn, and Apolo.
But there is so much buzz and expectation that Gilles will be in the finals — it would be very dramatic for Gilles to exit sooner. TPTB like drama. I won’t be devastated or surprised if it happens.
A lot of people would say that Gilles exiting sooner would be a ‘shocking elimination’, but the truth is that if you watch his dances this season, he didn’t have one actual memorable routine, nothing special. If wasn’t for the judges over scoring him like crazy every week, he would be always in the middle of the pack. So IMO ( I’m not even talking about his ego, I’m just commenting on the actual dancing) it would be more than fair that he should bet eliminated in the next few weeks, he is not even fun to watch like Kirtie sometimes.
Eh, I don’t agree. I have a lot of issues with Julianne, but her flirting with Phillip is so inconsequential as to be meaningless. I have married friends who jokingly hit on Derek all the time via twitter – are they somehow “bad” people because of it? I sure don’t think so. I think they think he’s hot and like to flirt with him. At the end of the day – it’s Ryan’s problem. Not for me to judge.
Heidi, just out of curiosity , when did Julianne trow Derek under the bus, I only start watching the show season 8, her last season so I don’t remember much.
I wonder if Carrie Ann hit on Apolo and he declined her advances.