Cheryl Burke Talk Of Rehearsals For Their Fox Trot, Being a Punching Bag For The Judges, and More
Celebuzz goes inside rehearsals with Cheryl Burke and D.L. Hughley for Dancing With The Stars Week 4. They ask how he’s been keeping up with his tour and 6 hour days of rehearsals? “By prayer and Advil,” he says. It’s been a tough go, but, he felt his legs for the first time this past week. He also talks of the criticism from the judges so far, but, he says he is “trying” and going to keep trying. They show them dancing a little for their Fox Trot. MORE HERE.
Also, Cheryl has written a new blog for People. She also talks of the judges criticism as well and how sad D.L. was last week. She hopes they will be more constructive tonight. I do too. Some of the things they say are over the top.
On Monday, Bruno [Tonioli] said D.L. needed a hip replacement, and Len [Goodman] said if D.L.’s a sex machine then he was America’s Next Top Model. That was really rough, but then on the next night, Len had a chance to say something more encouraging and he didn’t. It was a rough two nights in a row. Len, especially, is a ballroom judge. Give us something we can take back.
I just told D.L. to keep his head up. He wasn’t even angry – he was just sad. Everyone says not to bring your emotion into this, but at the end of the day, it’s hard because we work so many hours every single day. D.L. is someone with no dancing experience showing his vulnerable side. It would be nice to have judges stay consistent. There are people who have the same dancing experience as D.L., but the judges give them encouraging words. So, let’s make this an even playing field.
I know it’s television and everyone needs to cause controversy, but I feel like D.L. has become the punching bag [for the judges]. Derek Hough, Mark Ballas and Kym Johnson have been on our side. Derek came up to D.L. on the second night after they were both saved at the same time and said, “You know what? Just use this to your advantage. People are going to be rooting for you because the judges are so cruel.”
Working hard to try to improve every week – that’s what the show is really all about. This week, we’re dancing a foxtrot. The theme for all the dancers is the best year of my life. For D.L., his best year was his last year of innocence. It was around the eighth grade before his neighborhood got a little crazy. We’re dancing to Etta James’s “I Just Want to Make Love to You.” It’s a really cool, sassy routine and we tell a story within the dance. I’m trying to bring out his acting skills to really help him with the dance.
I’m just really going to work on his technique and posture. The foxtrot is all about keeping his frame and making his dance a little bit smooth and not so bumpy. We’re going to work on his rhythm and musicality. We’re going to try our best, and hopefully at least get some better remarks from the judges.
I agree that the judges should be more constructive, then DL wouldn’t be getting so many pity points.
But I also think that DL’s poor attitude is why the judges act the way they do towards him. Take Andy for instance. He isn’t the greatest dancer, but he has an awesome attitude going into the show. And the judges aren’t mean to him. I believe that if DL had given the impression that he was trying to do his best, then the judges would have been a bit nicer.
Oh oops I meant pity votes, not points.
I agree that the judges were a little harsh but I don’t think DLs dancing has improved at all. I also don’t think he wants to be there and I agree with #Mo that the attitude is everything. I understand that constant harsh criticism may cause a negative attitude but I also think that it should make him want to try even harder rather than giving up. I feel bad for Cheryl in this whole thing getting a partner who doesn’t even want to be there in my opinion. I think the only reason they are being pulled through is because of Cheryl’s fans supporting her. Unfortunately for Cheryl I think if this keeps up he will be the next to go home on Tuesday.
He said in an interview that this becoming a horrible experience for him. It’s hard to see that he’s taking a spot for somebody who really wants this for the experience.
I agree with Mo in that maybe if he showed that he was enjoying this more than the judges would be a bit nicer to him. They’ve said some crazy things to lots of people who have all been at the bottom but somehow (Andy, Wynonna, Victor, Lisa) but somehow he’s the only one complaining and taking it personally.
I’m definitely over the Pity Party. Yes, there were rude things said, but there were some actual critiques in there (no rhythm, no hip action, not enough passes) and nice things sad as well (I admire your spirit and the fact that you got out there)
whoops! Accidentally repeated a few words there.
I agree with you Kaitlyn, The fact that DL is so verbally negative toward the show, makes me not like him even more, especially if it’s at the sacrifice of Andy. And of course the hag Cheryl is loving every minute of it.
DL’clearly no clue what to expect in this. He admitted to have never watched the show. I dont think it is a poor attitude, but the lack of knowledge how and what this show is about.
I think DL got caught in shock and had no idea what he signed up for.
He said he is doing the show to overcome his fear of dancing, but not quite sure if this whole experience is helping.
I hope the judges score him appropriately tonight but give him lots of sweet sugar in their comments so people won’t vote for him because they think the judges are mean. Give him and Cheryl a list of things to improve upon but be sure to say it with a smile and very very very nicely.
Absolutely, Jess, that’s the best chance we have of getting rid of this couple in a timely manner.
If this really is a horrible experience for him, I think DL needs to withdraw. He shouldn’t be forced to stay by his or Cheryl’s fans, and he definitely shouldn’t take a spot from another celeb who wants to stay on the show.
I wish the audience had been more vocal in response to the judges’ verbal abuse. Should he still be there? No, but that doesn’t excuse the way he is being treated.
This whole D.L. vs the judges drama really has taken on a life of it’s own. I think he did do much better with the foxtrot, but I also think Cheryl motivated him more by encouraging him to “stick it to the judges” with her revenge mentality.