NeNe Leakes Talks Of The Hardest Part Of Learning To Dance And More On Dancing With The Stars (New Interview)
TV Guide has posted a new interview with NeNe Leakes. She tells them her “Party Anthem dance with Tony is going well so far. She also talks of why she gets emotional when the judges give her feedback and why. Read on for more….
I’ve noticed that you get pretty emotional when the judges are giving you feedback. Why is that?
Leakes: To me, I just feel like we work so darn hard every week, and I’m just so happy that we get through every week. It’s tough for us. I mean, I don’t have any dance experience. Some of these people have dance experience. I have none. I’m going to do what naturally I would do if I went to a club or something, but I don’t have any [professional] dance experience. So, I feel like it’s extra hard for me, where for some of the other people on the show, they have dance experience, so it comes a lot easier for them. I’m just always proud of myself when we get through. I’m just like, wow. I’m just happy to hear any little nice comment.What’s been the hardest aspect of the competition for you?
Leakes: The hardest part for me is the technique. Some of these dances have real technique that the judges really look for, like your leg has to be in a certain place, or your arm needs to be a certain way. That’s probably the hardest part. Everything else I feel like can [fall] in place. But when you start thinking about the technical part of it they’re going to score you on — did you have your hand out at that time, your feet were not where they were supposed to be — those are the hardest parts. It’s really hard. I always say to them, “We’re supposed to entertain and have our feet and arms moving at the same time?” There’s just a lot going on. And you have to look like you’re having fun.What are you working on for this week?
Leakes: This week is Party Anthem Week. We are doing a salsa to Nelly “Hot in Herre.” … So far it’s going really well. I’m really happy. I’m really pleased.
You can read the full interview at TV Guide.
I’ve said it before. Since NeNe is so insistent on reminding everyone over and over and over and over again that she has no dance experience, someone should remind her that she is in a competition with someone who has no feet. I think the biggest thing Tony is teaching her is how to feel sorry for herself, and how to see herself at a greater disadvantage than everyone else. It’s Team Kvetch.
I think that NeNe is probably the one who has improved most of all. Because of all of the drama over her being a outspoken reality show participant and her and Tony’s little disagreement, it seems that her improvement over the weeks has not been front and center. For me, the value of a show like this is that it spurs interest in the rarefied world of ballroom dancing by showing people who are non-dancers actually becoming adept at dancing and sometimes becoming quite good (especially when it’s people—like Drew, NeNe, and Amy—you would never think of as being good dancers). Though NeNe probably has overstated her disdain, I too don’t think it’s fair to compare the non-dancers with people like Meryl and Charlie. Though certainly enjoyable and amazing to watch, they are in a class apart.
That’s just it, Dee – most dancers get compared to themselves, not the other dancers. That’s how NeNe and Meryl both get 9s. That’s how it’s always been. We’ve always complained about it.
And now there is really someone on the show who should ONLY be compared to herself (Amy) people are bitching that she’s not compared to the others. Hello? That’s never how this show has worked yet NOW it’s not “fair”. Give me a break.
I so agree with you Princess Heidi….
There are some who do not have the character to put themselves in Amy’s shoes and realize that it’s not her feet in those shoes; nor, can they have the heart to imagine what it must be like for Amy to be who she is against the other couples and having to girdle up her loins and not let her situation stand in her way. She is an awesome “beacon of light” to others in the world. And, each week she comes out on that floor with the best teacher and friend she could ever be fortunate to know and gives the dance everything she can muster up. What courage this woman possesses! She is an example of a true human being and so is Derek. People are complaining all the time about the judges not judging fair, but the judges don’t compare the dancers against each other. They judge according to the celebrate’s improvement through the season. Don’t understand why this is so hard for some to understand! But, instead would rather get their britches in a twist. Golly geez, let’s get out the crackers and cheese for the whine, pleez.