Erin Andrews tells People.com that she hopes “to bring a Cat Deeley kind of vibe and also respect all of the traditions of the ballroom” to Dancing With The Stars. She’s also been in contact with former partner Maks Chmerkovskiy about it. He told her she’s came “full circle”. More below and at the link.
Andrews will approach the ballroom interviews the same way she does for Fox Sports – “I don’t think I can do anything but be myself,” she says – even if it means ditching the jeans and flats she wears on the sidelines for more glamorous garb.
As a style role model, she looks to Cat Deeley of So You Think You Can Dance, where Andrews was once a guest judge.
“She brings a hipness. She brings a funkiness,” says Andrews. “And I also respect that there is a sort of traditional sense when it comes to the ballroom. I hope to bring a Cat Deeley kind of vibe and also respect all of the traditions of the ballroom.”
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind for Andrews, whose sideline interview during the NFL playoffs with the Seattle Seahawks’ Richard Sherman made headlines. She then plunged into Super Bowl work, while behind the scenes talking to ABC about the Dancing with the Stars job.
“When they approached me, I really didn’t even know if it was going to be possible because I’m fully committed to Fox Sports. That’s my love,” she said.
But some understanding bosses and private talks with Michael Strahan – who both co-hosts the morning show Live! With Michael and Kelly and appears on Fox Sports’ football show – showed that she could juggle both jobs.
“I feel great,” she says. “I was texting with Maksim, my old partner. He was saying, ‘Wow, it’s coming full circle for you.’ “