Pure Dancing With The Stars Season 23 Media Tidbits To Start The Day

Just a few media tidbits to start us off. First, read E Online for some thoughts on the cast and when they meet/met their partners….

“Vanilla Ice hasn’t met his partner yet. He’s meeting [Witney Carson] Friday at his home in Florida,” a source shared with E! News. “He almost couldn’t do it, but Dancing With the Stars wasn’t an opportunity he wanted to pass up. He’s really happy and excited. He has some dancing in his background but he hasn’t really danced in years.”

In the weeks ahead, the “Ice Ice Baby” rapper will also continue his “I Love the 90’s” tour and the seventh season of The Vanilla Ice Project that films in Florida. Talk about multi-tasking.

Other contestants like Governor Rick Perry, Ryan Lochte, Amber Rose and Laurie Hernandez have been able to meet their professional partners. But that doesn’t mean they have a huge advantage.

“[Rick’s partner] Emma Slater didn’t even know she was doing the show this season until about two weeks ago so they are brand-new partners,” a source shared with E! News. The same could go for Ryan’s partner Cheryl Burke who “kept the fact that she was returning really close to the vest. She didn’t tell anyone.”

And before Carrie Ann Inaba, Julianne Hough and the rest of the judging panel can start delivering scores from the ballroom, some people are already speculating as to who could become a favorite and walk away with a mirror ball trophy.

“Val Chmerkovskiy is psyched. The gymnasts always go far and he thinks they have a really good shot at winning. Plus, Laurie is way too young for people to make romantic assumptions about them, which always drives him crazy,” an insider shared with E! News. “He hates being romantically linked to his partner. This will be more like his relationship with Zendaya. He had a great time with her.”

More at E Online.

Gleb Savchenko and his partner Jana Kramer met for the first time yesterday and they are excited. Aren’t they a beautiful pairing? His former Strictly Come Dancer partner Anita Rani says he’ll work her “like a Russian bear” and that he will.

Also, below is a fun report from Access Hollywood and a pap video at the opening shoot Monday night….

Jake T Austin is working hard…

We’ve posted lots of updates on Derek Hough and Marilu Henner at Pure Derek Hough including their appearance on Extra yesterday, a bio, interviews, photos, and more. This interview made me laugh so hard. Watch it and see why when you get a chance.

Lastly, here’s a fun report on the cast from Today….