Official Rehearsal Photos Released Of Dancing With The Stars Season 16
Things are really gearing up! Now TPTB have released some official rehearsal pics of some of the couples for Dancing With The Stars Season 16. Below is Sharna & Dick, Gleb & Lisa, and Ingo and Kym! You can view more pics of the other couples at Broadway World (they have a nice big picture gallery) and Getty Images (lots here). Let us know what you think (after you look them all over) for what kind of dancers you think they will make? Each couple looks like they will bring something different.
I love Dick’s concentration. He’s taking this competition seriously….
Beautiful extensions!!
Is it me, but, do these two have passion and sexual chemistry or wha??! LOVE!!! 
This is going to be such a good season. Are you ready? 9 more days and counting All!!
ETA: Heidi here – got my hands on some Kellie and Derek rehearsal photos, thanks to my bud Donamadrina. You can see all of them at PureDerekHough, but I’ve put one below too.
So, first, I’m not a new poster – I was just tired of Anon as a name. I picked it when I thought I was only going to comment once (because I’m usually just a lurker) and see how that turned out…
Rehearsal pics – there are some nice ones. There’s been some concern on other threads that Ingo might be stiff, based on his official photo – I think he might do better than we’ve thought. He’s not looking super stiff in these photos, so I have hope! I’m liking them as a partnership, so I’m hoping he’ll dance well enough to stick around for awhile.
Andy’s looking a little serious, but there are some other photos (I think on Getty) that show him smiling, so it looks like he’s having fun as well.
Victor & Lindsay and Aly & Mark also look like they’re having fun.
Gleb has some *seriously* gorgeous shapes he can make with his body – I’m looking forward to seeing him dance. Lisa was nice too.
Dorothy & Tristan are looking good as well.
I still am not happy that TPTB threw contemporary into the mix as a regular dance, and that it’s been given for first week. What were they thinking?????
Nice pics! Thanks for the link!
@ButterflyWhirl — nice choice.
Vogue, thanks for these tantalizing looks into the rehearsal studio.
Andy, I see some pigeon toe problems. He’s definitely concentrating hard. Hope he’s able to relax and perform on show night. Sharna looks great.
Whoa, Gleb! What beautiful body shaping. I think he’s going to be a stunning edition to the pro team. From the angle in this picture, Lisa seems to have a nice straight leg and pointed toe. Good for her. They’re the handsome dark-haired couple for sure.
By contrast, Ingo and Kym are the handsome blonde couple. Yeah, it’s a shame they don’t have any chemistry
If Ingo has any natural ability, these 2 just might pull off their contemporary dance.
Off to B’way World to check out the rest.
It’s just struck me, but I find that Victor and Lindsay remind me a lot of Diego Luna and Romola Garai in DD2: Havana Nights. Only this time, she’s the teacher and he’s the student…
@El – Ehhh…maybe. I tend to see a young Marcia Brady and a smilier Rob Kardashian when I look at Victor & Lindsay.
I LOVE:
LISA AND GLEB that a beautiful body line and I think they will be the surprise of the season.
Victor and Lindsay they are just so adorable i’m getting apoiianne vibes and hope they go that route.
ALOT of the teams are looking pretty good.
Thanks Cidra!
Looking forward to whenever pics of the other 5-6 couples are released.
Aly and Mark’s pics look like they have Cha Cha first week, where as Victor and Lindsay look like they have Foxtrot.
So I think Mark and Aly definately have cha cha. Personally, I think that its a great first dance for them since tey seem to be having a blast and have a lot of energy. The pictures of Ingo and Kym look great and I just think there is chemistry galore between them. The odd couple that seems to get along really well is Sharna and Andy though. I thought they would be the first couple out but now I’m starting to think that they are going to do really well.
Omg KELLIE AND DEREK ARE MUTHA EFFING THREATS!! There rehearsal pics!!!! OMG!!! I love Derek but he gets the best partners but he deserves it no hate on him! KELLI IS FLEXIBLE! Check out those photos they are gonna kill
Kellie and Derek are as cute as pie. They are going to be so good. Yay I can’t wait!
Love kym and ingo
and gleb is a gorgeous dancer 
this season is starting to grow on me 
Kellie looks amazing!! Excited to see how she does with Derek this season!
Kellie and Derek are looking good!! And she is *definitely* flexible.
Of the pictures I like Ingo and Kym, and Gleb, wow. I hope we get to see him for more than just a couple of weeks this season. It looks like Ingo’s acting background may pay off and I like how at ease he and Kym appear together. I’m going to keep an open mind about Derek and Kellie, but so far I’m not seeing anything in their pictures that stands out. It is nice to have a season in which there’s no apparent ringer. I hope it stays that way.
Katarina, I agree, there aren’t any obvious super-ringers in this cast that I can see. As a Disney kid, I see Zendaya as a dance ringer. The question for me is will she capture the audience like Kyle did or will she need major propping by the judges to stay in?
You’re either a ringer or you’re not – if you don’t know if someone is a ringer before the season, based on research and what you know of them, then they aren’t a ringer.
Just because someone can dance well doesn’t mean they’re a ringer. Period. That just means they have talent and ability. ESPECIALLY if you consider the Websters definition of a ringer. That NEVER applies to DWTS. People REALLY need to get over the hang ups (and misconceptions, etc) about ringers. Clearly the producers don’t take that into account when hiring people for the show, nor should they because, based on what some crazy fans say, nearly everyone is a ringer. Well….everyone who dances with Derek, anyway.
As for this season, Zendaya is certainly a ringer in terms of ability. Child has been dancing forever. Will it help her? No idea. Sometimes being a ringer does you no good at all – like Roshon. I’m tempted to call Jacoby a fanbase ringer in that he just came off a Superbowl win. But if he can’t dance as well as he claims, that may not matter either. As for the rest of them? I would also call Dorothy Hamill a ringer of some degree – Kristi Yamaguchi was a ringer, but Dorothy has her age working against her, much like Jennifer Grey did, so it kinda balances out. I’m waiting for some idiot to claim Kellie is a ringer because she was a high school cheerleader. But if they called Joanna Krupa a ringer for taking ballet as a child I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.
I don’t get why anyone would hope there is “no apparent ringer” – there is nothing wrong with being one, and if it’s not apparent now, then they aren’t technically a big enough one to upset any of those who don’t like ringers. Calling someone a ringer half way through the show is petty and usually inaccurate. Although lord knows that’s never stopped people before.
I said “apparent” because I’m basing my opinions on a few pictures I’ve seen here and there. I don’t know much about most of the celebrities. In fact, I know nothing about some of them.
I don’t understand the logic in “just because someone can dance doesn’t make them a ringer” yet “Zendaya is certainly a ringer in terms of ability.”
There’s no black and white. We all see it the way we see it.
The logic is there if you want to see it, Katarina. If you don’t want to logically look at it, then you won’t. It is simple – Brooke Burke danced VERY well. Was she a ringer? Of course not. She wasn’t a trained dancer. She had no experience with choreography, AND she was relatively unknown to the DWTS audience. Therefore, just because you dance well it doesn’t mean you are a ringer. A ringer is not defined as someone who dances well – well, it is by some people but they are idiots who call anyone who dances great but isn’t paired with their favorite, a ringer. A ringer is defined as someone who has had dance training or experience to some (realistic) degree prior to being on the show. No, we’re not talking about what you did as a teenager unless you are STILL a teenager. I think it’s pretty stupid to label a 30 year old a ringer based on what they did when they were 11, but some are prone to it.
We’ve also taken to distinguishing someone as a “fanbase” ringer if they have such a huge fanbase that coincides with the DWTS Demo they are almost guaranteed to win – ie. Donny Osmond.
Zendaya obviously has a lot of dance experience, and experience learning choreography – hence, she’s a ringer. Nicole was labeled a ringer not because she was a great dancer, but because she had dance experience BEFORE she came on DWTS, as irrelevant to DWTS as that was. Evan Lysacek was a ringer because he was fresh off the Olympics (huge fanbase) and had experience learning choreo and had ballet experience. Ringers aren’t guaranteed to win, but they have a leg up based on previous experiences.
And really, there is some black and white if the word is defined in the dictionary. One can’t really call an apple an orange and be taken seriously, can they?? Depends on how you want to be viewed, I guess.
PH: Well….everyone who dances with Derek, anyway.
Derek is among, but not my one and only, favorites (I like a lot of the pros) but even I get so so sick of the bitc…. and moaning all over the place about the celebs he gets. Can you imagine the screaming that would be going on if he’d gotten Aly, Zendaya, or even Dorothy. Because Mark got Aly, she’s a robot, Val got Zendaya so she’s too young and really only knows hip hop, and Tristan got Dorothy so she’s so old, poor Tristan. I can just imagine all the poor Tony’s if he’d gotten Ricki. Must drive those who love Derek exclusively completely insane crazy.
Well, Jess, it’s not just Derek – but rampant stupidity, illogic and hypocrisy drive me nuts regardless. As does changing the rules in the middle of a season and other such nonsense. Believe it or not (and Maks fans much prefer to ignore it, for sure), I’ve even stuck up for Maks on occasion when people get out of control.
That shit bothers me no matter who is involved. Unfortunately for me, people jealous of Derek seem to be the WORST offenders, so I see a lot of it.
I should add, that I personally think all the female celebs are good gets for the male pros this season. Look at how great of shape Lisa is and and she sounds like she’s a lot of fun and very funny. Looks like Wynonna is completely embracing the experience and is working hard and is well known. Dorothy is amazing. Zendaya is a cutie who can dance. Aly is a beloved Olympic gymnast. And Kellie seems to be so beautiful inside and out.
Yeah, I believe it PH, just off the top of my head I remember the whole Hope and her book thing where you stood up for Maks (not his overall behavior that season but but about one specific fact she was claiming)
Agree, jess. The women celebs this season seem to have been selected in pairs(nod to Cidra!) – two country singers, two Olympians, two cable “stars”. But they each seem to have appeal that would catch the attention of disparate segments of the audience, appeal that might broaden when we actually watch and get to know them more.
PH, I agree with you that Dorothy has fan-base ringer credentials. Her age works against her, as it did with Jennifer, but I think Dorothy has fewer health issues to contend with. We’ll have to see how many viewers remember and still love “America’s Sweetheart”, and if that translates into vote support. As someone who loves Dorothy and is also a Tristaholic, I kind of hope the “Sweetheart nostalgia” is a powerful draw
especially if Dorothy can translate her on-ice elegance to the ballroom.
Faby, I think we could also say the men were selected in pairs although the cateogries are broader. We have 2 comedians, 2 athletes, and 2 “romantic leads?” (assuming we get the Batchelor). Yeah, I know, that last pair is a strech.
At this point in the pre-season, I find the women’s field more competitive than the men. However, in the all-star season, I was in the camp who felt the men were stronger than the women, and we ended up with our first all-female finale. So I’m obviously out of step with the viewers, the judges, and TPTB.
I don’t think you are, Cidra. The problem (one of many) with the all star season was pitting previous winners against non-winners PLUS some of the winners seasons were so long ago and the show has really moved beyond them. So, the game had been upped and people tend to vote for the under dog (non-winner). Really “Save a Horse” is still considered iconic? Neither it nor Drew have held up over time when there’s been SO many better dances. The only reason that one is looked on so fondly is for the nostalgia factor. There is nothing in it that is exciting compared to much more recent dances. Look at the three women in the final – two of them are quite young, compared to the men they beat out. Two had won – but with different partners and their new partnerships were an improvement. That really can’t be said for the men. It’s very difficult to re-capture the magic of the first go round and I think the three in the finale were the ones who managed to surpass their first go round – except maybe Melissa. She was pretty much the same.
Even though I was in the camp that felt the men were stronger during the All Star Season, I tend to agree that the women might have a better shot this time around. A lot depends on Ingo and Jacoby. I think that if Jacoby tones it down and can really dance, he will be tough to beat. If Ingo can dance…I don’t think he will win but I think he will go far. This might come down to Dorothy and Jacoby. With Kellie as a wild card. Very wild.
Heidi, I see the point you were making regarding ringers. Personally, I didn’t think Brooke was that good though. Obviously, the judges disagreed and Derek choreographed a very flashy, energetic finale. I believe Derek won that season, not Brooke.
Kellie is definitely a wild card, I agree. But DAYUM! She’s looking good in those stills!
This season is the first season that I can’t call a final three, and I have to admit, out of the three PH named above, two of them I actually don’t see making the finals (Dorothy & Kellie). I did just say Kellie’s a wild card, and I stick by that. If she can dance, she’s going to be a threat to everyone. However, I don’t really see her as finals material. At the same time, I won’t be surprised if she does make it.
The only thing that makes me think Dorothy won’t make it is because of her age. Which is weird, because in an odd way, that helps her. Not in danceability, but in the fact that she’s had time to build her fan base. And Olympians have a good track record of making it far. Unlike Kellie, I WILL be surprised if Dorothy makes the Finals.
I want Zendaya in the Finals, but I’m afraid what happened to Roshon will happen to her. Plus, I see the more emotional dances working against her, which is why I’m worried about this contemporary.
In fact, I’m still confused (as is everyone else) as to WHY they decided to bring in contemporary! How are CAI, Len and Bruno supposed to judge that? TPTB pulled some major bullsh*t with that.
Anyway, end rant on that. As for Jacoby? I thought Donald was going to be one of the first out in Season 14. I’ve never been more wrong when sizing up the cast. Footballers always go one way or another: They’re either really good, or really bad. I wouldn’t there’s much of a middle ground either. And I think Jacoby could be a pretty decent dancer. But then again, I may be biased because I love Karina.
Still, Katarina – plug in any good dancer that wasn’t a ringer, by any real definition. Brooke was an example. A good one, actually.
You’re right, PH. What happened on the all-star season really isn’t a good predictor for any other season.
Yeah, if Jacoby is an adequate dancer and can pretend to be a bit humbled by the challenges of learning the different dances, he’ll make it a long way. Ochocinco was only an average dancer and not particularly likeable yet he almost made the finals. I like Ingo a lot, but I’m a bit worried about his self-confidence (opposite problem from Jacoby). Heh! Between the two of them, there’s probably just enough to make one finalist. Where’s Dr. Frankenstein when you need him?
Looking at Cidra’s posts about the contestants being in twos (2 country singers, two athletes, etc) – if you allowed mixed doubles (so to speak) you would end up with two from the world of acting (Ingo and Zendaya) and two reality stars (Lisa and Sean) – which I think works better than calling Sean a romantic lead, IMO. The rest would remain the same.
I’ve been thinking about “why contemporary” – it seems that TPTB must have *some* reason to add it as a regular dance, besides just wanting to mix stuff up. Did they hear lots of rave reviews of Melissa’s freestyle and Kelly’s contemporary dance? Did they figure that Melissa’s freestyle won the competition for her (it didn’t). Do they think that is what people want to see and where the money is (if so, why is SYTYCD barely hanging on)? They *obviously* aren’t reading the comments on these boards.
It really doesn’t make much sense to me.
I remember someone in the comments talking about how Tony and Melissa’s freestyle was more “theater arts” (I think that’s the name) than actual contemporary, and I remember that a couple of dancers auditioned in that style for SYTYCD one year. My understanding is that it’s a style of ballroom with a lot of lifts and more freedom in choreography – maybe a cross between ballroom and contemporary? Anyway, maybe that’s what TPTB are going for – it keeps it in the ballroom family, but expands it. Or is that too sensible an answer? My thought is, if they want something like contemporary, they should add theater arts, and call it that (theater arts). The judges are more likely (maybe?) to know how to judge it, it keeps it (as I said) in the ballroom family, and it will give exposure to that dance style. And it would make me *a lot* happier than having contemporary that isn’t really contemporary (or good contemporary) on the show. Anyway, some random speculations on the subject.
Yes, ButterFW,it probably is giving the powers too much credit to think they were going for theaters arts style with actual intention. Yet I like your suggestion that they call it that, instead of “contemporary”, and thatthe judges learn how to score it and explain what they’re looking for instead of messing about with pseudo-contemporary. As you say, it would be cleaner that way and keep the dance in the ballroom family.
It might have been Courtney (?) who wrote about theater arts style last season.
Plus the pros might have a clue how to teach it.
#34 That too!
ButterflyWhirl, what you say makes sense, but you’re definitely giving TPTB way more credit for intelligent decision-making than their previous actions would warrant.
That said, I hope the “contemporary” we’re going to be treated to turns out to be more “theater arts”.
@Cidra – I was wondering if I was attributing too much sense to TPTB….